Field Research

Our first step was to learn about the present parking pay station experience. So, we went downtown and conducted usability testing through cognitive walk throughs and semi-structured one-on-one interviews (users ranged between the ages of 22-75).

Analysis

Upon conducting research, we decided to narrow in and focus on two aspects of human factors: physical and cognitive ergonomics.

Almost immediately, most if not all users were faced with anthropometric obstacles. There was frequent squinting at or hunching down to the screen because of the both the height and the size of the text and the screen. And, given the context of COVID, we wanted to address the necessity of maintaining cleanliness.

Users persistently struggled with memory-related interactions, such as remembering their license plate number or to get their receipt. Additionally, the interactions with the machine were fragmented and disordered as the prompts and button/label choices were often unclear, which made people extremely hesitant about how to proceed. 

Ideation + Prototyping

We identified that two main issues were physical form and interface. Our design solution aimed to create a synergy by combining a better physical form and user interface (based on the human design factors of cognitive ergonomics and physical ergonomics).

We first tackled the digital interface using Figma.

We then tackled the physical form by creating a cardboard prototype for usability testing.

Usability Testing

We then tested our cardboard prototype with the high fidelity interface. The cognitive walkthrough tasks including (1) purchasing a ticket with card, and (2) adding time to a ticket with cash.

Final Prototype

High Fidelity Interface: Before + After

User Scenario