Final HCD project of the year, sadly I might add. A new and deeper way of thinking for all to get something decent for this one, and I am confident Aguinaldo and I identified a need for an adaptive device through our research on public systems. Although the further we looked into the train station and its workings, the more problems we seemed to unearth!
A particular highlight was during a visit to the station when we were doing some video work, we found that the annoying ticket barriers could be opened with any ticket! Even one I had from April that was from London to Cheltenham! So wanting to have a system that eradicated the barriers, we found they were totally useless as a security device anyway.
The overall aim for Ags and I was to make the fast ticket adaptive. It is all very well using a self-service machine, but as it does not know who is using it, you have to start from step 1 every time. Language in fact, is the only thing the current fast ticket machines can assume due to the country in which it finds itself placed.
For a regular traveler our adaptive ticket machine utilises a hard plastic card, credit card sized in order to store journey information and train station shop purchases. This card replaces the current discount rail cards, as well as weekly, monthly and yearly passes.
The regular traveler card is inserted into the fast ticket machine in order to load preference details, very much like a club/store card. The fast ticket machine will then show on screen what your most likely destination will be, and what time your next rain is leaving.
Other factors considered will include: ticket price, seating preference, class preference, time of travel, number of changes.
The advantages of the adaptive fast ticket are obvious. Not only does it improve the speed of the current fast ticket machines, but also saves the traveler money on both train tickets and train station purchases. This in turn benefits the train companies and the train station based businesses with repeat business.
Anyway, I'm sure all these points will be made in the main presentation. I'm sure. I hope. Bye bye.
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