Austin Public Transport

Design Research

Team Members: Kaitlin Noonan, Noah Lewis, Emeris Burdick.
Research: All Group Members
Mockups: Kaitlin Noonan
Photo Credits: Unsplash.com and Pexels.com

How Might We?
How might we expand access to public transportation in South Austin Suburbs?

Job to be Done
Provide access to public transportation in South Austin suburbs.

Problem
Throughout many cities in Texas, public transportation access is limited. While in the most populated areas, like downtown, people can easily get around but once found outside of city limits and into the suburbs access is drastically lessened. Overall, Austin’s suburbs need access to the city’s public transportation system.

Solution
In order to create access, building upon one of Austin’s most used transportation systems is ideal. Through the expansion of the city’s bus system, people all over the city can easily travel between suburbs and downtown locations.

Research Deck

Empathy Maps

Alexis, 23

Worried about climate change
Says
• “Can we carpool?”
• “If we don’t cut emissions soon, we’re doomed.”
• “Other countries have better eco–friendly transport options.”
• “I only drive when I really need to.”
Thinks
• How can we replace gasoline cars?
• There has to be a better way to get around.
• What’s the best way to cut down on my own carbon footprint?
• How can we radically change and improve our energy consumption?
Does
• Tries and fails to organize carpooling
• Attempts to convince friends to take the bus.
• Takes the bus even though it isn’t the most convenient way to travel.
• Attends sustainability movements/protests.
Feels
• Hopeless because there are limited options.
• Climate change anxiety.
• More people should care about the future of the planet.
• Alone because no one is making changes.
Dave, 37

Commutes and dislikes traffic
Says
• “The traffic on I–35 is so bad.”
• “Sorry, I won’t be able to make it in time.”
• “I wish I could do some work while in traffic.”
• “Oh no, I’m going to be late again.”
Thinks
• There has to be a better way to commute.
• Traffic makes me tired.
• Busses are nice but there are no routes near me.
• I wish I could do something productive during my long drives from Austin to San Marcos.
Does
• Chugs energy drinks to stay alert.
• Spends time sitting in traffic.
• Prepares for the day very early to make up for time spent in the car.
– Tries researching alternative ways to travel.
Feels
• Rushed in traffic.
• Spending too much money on gas.
• Stresses from wasting time in traffic instead of being at work.
• Tired from getting up early to commute.
Linda, 72

Older and doesn’t feel it’s safe to drive.
Says
• “Where’s the nearest bus stop?”
• “Can you drive me to the grocery store?”
• “I don’t know if I can afford my car anymore.”
• “Should I still be driving on the highway?”
Thinks
• I don’t want my kids to have to always drive me.
• Is there a faster or better way for me to get around?
• Is public transportation safe at my age?
• Car services are too expensive.
Does
• Asks kids to drive them around.
• Takes a long bus route to the doctor’s office.
• Gets errands done in one day to save time.
• Looks into public transport options.
Feels
• Envious of people who can travel quickly.
• Nervous about new transportation systems.
• Anxious about spending money.
• Trapped in the house and can’t get around easily.

Research

Primary – Survey

Majority Live in Austin or other major cities.
70%+ live in the suburbs or within 10-20 miles of downtown.
No one has used public transport because of lack of availability due to their location.
The majority are neutral/haven’t used public transport in their area.
64% said they would take a high-speed train out of all public transport options.

Secondary – What does Texas have?

Austin

Capital Metro/Metro Rail (North Austin to Downtown 32 Miles).
Project Connect (connecting North and South Austin).
31.2 million people take the bus every year and 817,300 take MetroRail

Dallas/Fort Worth

Bus System/DART Light Rail (Some Suburbs to Downtown 93 Miles)
30 million people take the bus every year and 70.5 million take the Light rail.

Houston

RideMetro/MetroRail (Westpark through Uptown to Northwest Transit 22.7 Miles).
60 million people take the bus every year and 24 million take MetroRail

Secondary – What do other places have?

Washington, D.C. – #1 in U.S. – Metrorail and Bus System
“The subway system, known as Metro or Metrorail, handles over 200 million trips per year, making it the second-largest system by ridership in the U.S. That is in addition to a bus system that handles another 130 million trips every year.”
San Francisco, CA – Busses and Commuter Trains
“Today, buses and commuter trains constitute the most significant pieces of San Francisco’s transit system. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) moves commuters to and from nearby cities such as Oakland and Berkeley.”

Potential Solutions

High Speed Rail System

Top High-Speed Rail Systems: Japan, Germany, China, Spain, and France.
“Creates Jobs, Boosts Economic Activity, Reduces Congestion and Improves Productivity, Reduces Reliance on Foreign Oil, Expands Travel Choices and Improves Mobility.”

Expanding Austin’s Bus Routes

Expanding Austin’s most used public transport option.
Cuts cost by adding onto an already existing system.
Fast implementation for immediate transportation improvement.

Public Transport Dedicated Roads

Bus-only lanes.
Usually connected to the main road and only occupies one lane.
Sometimes they may just be short, just enough for busses to bypass bottlenecks in traffic.