Bus for everybody
–Nishitetsu Bus case study in Japan-
Shinzo Kaneko1,Yasuyuki Hirai2, Nermin Elokla2, Hiroshi Goto1, Kazuma Hara1, Sheigo Hiramatsu1, Nobuyuki Matsukuma1, Kyoko Matsuoka1,
Darwin Design LLP1
Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, Japan2
Abstract
The percentage of elderly in Japan is growing at the fastest pace in the world. Because of this, it is predicted that there will be bigger public interest in bus transportation for its safety and accessibility forthe elderly,the physically challenged, and children (Miura, 2001). However, finding the desired destination and getting on and off a bus causes stress and anxiety for passengers.The Nishitetsu Bus Company, which is the largest bus transportation service in Japan,provided an opportunity to carry out a research project to create and evaluatea new bus design for the company. The headquarters is in southwestern Japanon the island of Kyushu. The purpose of this study is to give recommendations, create prototype ideas, and address map issuesrelated to the current bus transportation system for a new and future bus design from a diversified point of view. Darwin Design LLP and Kyushu University, collected data by utilizing inclusive design methodology in this project. An inclusive design workshop was carried out, and as a result, the recommendation for the final exterior, four future proposals, and a map with about 200 issues were created in the three-day workshop.
Keywords
Transportation, Bus Design, Japan, Inclusive Design, Workshop
1. Introduction
In Japanese society, the population of the elderly is rapidly increasing, one out of four will become more than 65 years old by 2015. According to recent studies, the number of bus passengers is decreasing annually due to the stiff competition with other modesof transportation. It is predicted that the decrease of the population caused by an aging
society coupled with the low birth rate, will have a significant negative impacton bus ridership. On the other hand, as an environmentally friendly form of public
1
transportation, buses will increase in importance for the elderly, physically challenged, and young children because the other types of public transportation inevitably require the use of stairs, while a bus is easily accessed on the street level. There are also many areas in the country that only have bus service as a choice (Miura, 2001). However, a current drawback facing bus transportation isthat it is difficult for passengers to find their desired destination using the information at a bus stop, and getting off or on a bus causes stress and anxiety. In the studies of public bus service, there are many precedents that focus on bus stops and seamless continuity from service to service for accessibility (Akiyama, 2001, Fujii, 2008). Conversely, studies on bus experience process and usability issues based on inclusive methodology are limited. The Nishitetsu Bus Company, which is the largest bus transportation service in Japan,provided an opportunity to carry out a research project to create and evaluatea new bus design for the company. The headquarters is in southwestern Japanon the island of Kyushu.
The purpose of this study is to give recommendations, create prototype ideas, and addressmap issues on the current bus transportation system for a new and future bus design from a diversified point of view.
2.Methods
An inclusive design workshop was organized with seven extreme users, six Darwin Design LLP designers and five Kyushu University academic staff and students for three days in August, 2007, with an emphasis on co-design with extreme users. The users were selected to cover the spectrum of diversified groups as follows:
an older male person
a mother with a child (boy)
a male person with disability to the forearm
a male wheelchair user
a visually impaired male
a female foreigner, non-English native speaker
The workshop had three purposes as follows: first, gather opinions for the most suitable appearance of bus exterior design from the extreme users’ point of views. Secondly, collect and map issues gained through observations. Thirdly, create proposals/ideas for the new inclusive bus design.
As for the first point, contribution to the exterior design was somewhat limited because
the appearance design proposals had already been made by the Darwin Design LLP.
2
The users were asked to vote for one of the best ideas and express their reasons. Most of the workshop time was used for the second and third points. Based on the inclusive design methodology (Fig1), the workshop consisted of three days and five steps. The first two days were for developing awareness and insights through extreme users observations in the Tenjin district, which is the main commercial area in Fukuoka City. Each user was asked to ride on a bus individually, from station A to B, then B to A in opposite direction, accompanied by a video staff. The bus line we chose is called the ‘100 yen (about 40 pence) loop line’, as it is the most popular route in Fukuoka City. On the third day, all the participants gathered in a conference room in Kyushu University. Then, they were divided into four teams, shared findings and insights, and brainstormed to find the essential principle to be solved. Based on the principle, a final presentation with a visual proposed design was made by each team. Those proposals were evaluated from concept and presentation points of views.
3.Results & Discussions
As a result of the final presentations, recommendations for the final exterior, four proposals, and a map with about 200 issues were made in three days. When the inclusive design workshop was organized, the exterior design plans had already been made.
3
Recommendations from extreme users are valuable, but are useful in only a limited way. From Inclusive Design point of view, the sooner participation is recorded, the better it reflects how the users feel.
As for the issue concerning the map, those issues were categorized into actions and opinions. The actions are the issues already recognized as functions in the bus process. The opinions are the hidden issues that have not been reflected in the process. These “Actions” are carefully reconstructed by connecting related actions with grey lines according to bus experience process starting from finding a bus stop until getting off at a destination. Opinions are then allocated close to the actions, and connected to the action lines with red lines, where possible (Fig 6&7). We tried to create a map that is visually easy to understand by bus users, and like a game board to create better interaction. In regards to similar maps, user support maps such as town mobility maps are widely made by social groups to provide information for accessibility and useful facilities such as multi-purpose restrooms. If we think of visualization of a seamless experience for sustainable development with users, and sharing issues through
collecting information, such issue maps can be an effective sharing tool for everybody.
4
When considering bus transportation planning, we hope that a spiral effect of gathering more contributors/users, and more accurate and rich contentsare realized. The results from this study need to be realized in order to upgrade services and facilities, based on issues identified with diversified users.
4.Conclusions
A bus issue map was made, and was used for the new bus design.
The new design was welcomed and accepted by the citizens last April. It will take about five years to replace all the current buses to new design. Although ideas realized in real design were limited, due to budget and schedule, the issue map was well used for communication and understanding between the Nishitetsu Bus staff members and Darwin LLP designers. Furthermore, from an inclusive design point of view, sustainable and social approach is very important to create a better inclusive society. In response to this vision, the map is open to public on the inclusive design home page at Kyushu University, to gather public opinions and feedback. It is expected to be upgraded every year. ()
5
References
Miura, T (2001). Disability Legislation Renovation in UK. CLAIR REPORT NUMBER 214, pp.13, Council of Local Authorities for International Relations
Akiyama, T, Isobe, T, Kitagawa, H, Tsuzuki, T, Terashima, K, Matsubara, A, Matsubara, G, Yamada, M (2001). Toshi Koutsu no Universal Design, Gakugei Publishing Shuppansha
Fujii, S, Taniguchi, A (2008). Mobility Manegement, Gakugei Publishing Shuppansha,
Hirai, Y, Fumoto, K, Gheerawo, R (2006). Study of Qualitative Methodology, PP.143-149, Proceedings of International Association for Universal Design (IAUD) Kyoto
Japan society of civil engineers (2006). Bus Service Handbook. Japan Society of Civil Engineers
Doboku Gakkai, Doboku Keikaku Gaku Kenkyu Iinkai (2005). Sanka-gata Fukushi No Koutsu Machi Zukuri, Gakugei Publishing Shuppansha
Doboku Gakkai, Doboku Keikaku Gaku Kenkyu Iinkai, Fukushi no Koutsu Chiiki Keikaku Shou Iinkai, Saigai Kagaku Kenkyusho, Koutsuu Machi Zukuri Gaku Kenkyu Kai (2008). Nihon no Koutsu Barrier Free, Gakugei Publishing Shuppansha
Nishitetsu Bus homepage:
Nishitetsu Bus design renewal project:
Kyushu University Inclusive Design:
6