For this independent study, I gained experience working directly with participants in a human factors study on accessible public transportation and contributed in the following ways:
- Assisting with setting up motion-capture markers on participants, ramp inclines, seating, and other mock-up bus features
- Collecting bio-mechanical, anthropometric, and other data during timed trials
- Creating (1) visual tools designed to more effectively guide participants through the study and (2) visual instruction sheets to expedite set-up procedures for bus layout changes before each trial.
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Structure of Study
This visual tool was designed to help the participant both understand the structure of the study to begin with and keep track of their progress through each step of data collection. Each mock up bus layout consisted of two trials of data collection and each followed by a survey. Following the study, participants ordered the bus layouts according to their preferences.
NOTE: The actual assignment and order of the three bus layouts were varied among participants.
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SET UP
These visual instructions were designed to simplify the steps for switching bus layouts in between trials. In lieu of a lengthy list of instructions, these color coded drawings made bus layout changes easier and more efficient by highlighting which seats to take off the bus, which to leave on the bus, and which to add to the bus for each layout change.
