Bartholomew
An app for navigating Bart stations
Sections
People get lost
It's a common experience to get lost in large indoor spaces. Bart stations are massive, unique, complex and poorly labeled. Navigating them can be stressful and delay our day. What if there were an easier way to navigate Bart stations?
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Riders need clear steps to help them navigate a station; from the departure platform to the right station exit.
Why Bartholomew is better
Bartholomew uses clear, unique icons and concise text to help you find your way. It provides station specific context for where you're at and where you need to go. Here's a look at how the app enables riders...
Unique icons match station features
Navigate using unique icons specific to each staion. These micro visual aides are designed to correspond to your surroundings. Concise directions add context and ETA information.
Our Bart rider
The design of Bartholomew was informed by discovery interviews and insights from mutliple rounds of user testing.
Bart riders are not a monolith. The ridership is compposed of regular commuters, residents who ride occasionally and tourists. Who rides Bart and what can increase their navigational confidence.
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Our bart rider
Downtown Oakland stations are confusing because they have multiple platform levels
I followed some teenagers to find the exit
I never really felt confident I was getting on the right train, in the right direction
I use my surroundings more than signs to find my way
A hodgepodge of signs from over the years
I've learned stations that I use a lot, but it's easy to get lost at stops I don't go to often
What riders had to say
Their user journey
Signs...sometimes
Below are some telling statistics regarding the ridership and general conditions of the system. TLDR: the system is heavily relied upon and the riders want more signage and information about their trip.
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4 signs
0 signs
30 seconds
20 seconds
40,258*
408,851*
* pre pandemic data
Here are 2 quotes from a 2016 system improvement plan:
"Limited provision of real-time information; partially obscured by platform columns."
"Lack of visual differentiation in platform materials makes it difficult for riders to identify the station…color strips above trackway provide only a limited visual clue."
Respondents of a 2014 survey were clear about what needed to be improved at the Montgomery street station
84% asked for real-time train arrival displays at street and concourse levels
54% wanted clearer public announcements
44% said more or better signs
Design development
App design was informed directly by insights gained during discovery interviews as well as user testing. Iterative sketches below show design elements were selected and refined.
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Plan a trip using a simplified interface
Choose a destination and a departure time then filter by method of transit.
The app will generate step by step directions with a focus on learning stations in the Bart system.
Follow easy to digest directions
to find the correct platform. Use station maps to find labeled exits and turnstiles.
The station specific, landmark based icons will give you the physical context you need.
Part of a system
Infrastructure updates would supplement riders with physical touchpoints and visual cues. Riders feel safer when they can keep their heads up and follow clear signage. Bartholomew is imagined as part of a complete navigational system, including touchscreen kiosks, modern overhead screens and guideways.
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Trip planning kiosk
Access station information, interactive maps and plan your trip.
Live overhead signs
Updated overhead signs refresh every 20 seconds. You can be sure you’re in the right place at the right time to catch your train. PSA and non transit related information are on separate screens.
Guideways
High contrast lettering and directional arrows are right on the station platform. These reinforce app based information and allow riders to look away from their phone.
Extracts & next steps
De-stressing Bart can be happen through a simple interface that lets you learn unfamiliar stations on the fly. However the app is just the start of the journey.
Bartholomew should be part of a comprehensive solution which employs physical a complete visual system (signs, kiosks). Bart is well behind the curve in this respect and garners a C-/D+ on a global comparison with other transit systems. Systems which allow a rider to keep their head up and maintain situational awareness is also key to safety.
The app is an important first step to Bart improvements. Moving forward directions and icons can be added for people with impaired mobility. A more robust set of station specific landmarks, construction alerts and detours would increase value for riders.