MBTA BUS STOP SYSTEM
Process + Practices
About
Context: In low visibility conditions or at night, bus riders are more likely to miss their rides due to the fact bus drivers rely primarily on sight to determine when to stop the bus. I was tasked with creating some sort of interactive design to combat this issue.
Users: Some users who would benefit from an adaptation like this would include Late-night commuters, elderly passengers, students, bus drivers, ect. This can really used by anyone as it has multiple features to suit peoples different needs.
Industry: UX & UI Design
Tool: Figma
Solution: My solution to this problem would be a digital screen station along every bus stop, it would be multi-use including a map, clock, and the main feature of this would be the check in system to alert drivers there is somebody waiting for bus. This is essentially like when you’re in the bus and press stop to be let off at the next stop, however on the outside in order to be picked up.
Date: March 2025
Figma Prototype
In the video shown this is essentially the entire interaction with the device. In the video the person wants to take the 10 bus so they select that bus route and it then displays the bus route and the various bus times that’ll arrive. This way they don’t exactly need to take the next bus that comes if they don’t want. They confirm their ride and they are all set and can relax knowing they won’t be mistakenly passed.
The other routes are exactly like this one, very simple and easy to use for all ages. Which I made sure to think of while making it because I knew it could be accessed and used by all so accessibility with big bold buttons and colors was crucial for my audience.
ELEMENTS
For this assignment I wanted to stick to the existing MBTA signage system in order for it to feel already part of the system. Therefore I needed to do research and find all sorts of components that would go into my design.
Utilizing the same typeface, color scheme, rounded out buttons, and general simplicity of the MBTA system allows it to look really cohesive but also if it were to be implemented in the real world, it would come easily to people as it’s not something brand new they need to learn or accustom themselves too.
Process
As shown with the pictures to the side, I was heavily inspired by these non touch screen signs that Boston has started implementing around the city mainly on various T stops. I believed it would be useful to amplify the effect of these and add extra features that could then be used not just for the T but for the bus system.
For future iterations and development I would try to make the map interactive as well, as right now it’s a static screen that shows you an overall view of the bus route rather than being able to zoom in and see a persons exact stop.
