Chicago Parking
The parking finder prototype is a design for an application in order to assist drivers in finding a parking space and successfully park in the spot. View Full Report.
Problem
Finding parking on the street can be a long and difficult task. When watching people try to find a parking space, I have noticed an issue with attempts to decipher whether an open space is a valid parking space or not. The drivers almost stop completely to try and read the signs near the space, as well as decide if their car can actually fit.
General traffic is also an issue. If someone does decide they are going to park, they might be stuck because everyone else decides to go around them, leaving no room for the driver to reverse into the parking spot.
objective
I chose this need because is not only an issue for the driver trying to find a spot, but also for the general traffic that has to interact with that driver. Focusing on helping drivers find a parking space could also possibly help with safety on the road.
Methods and Results
Observation and Sequential Diagram
In order to better understand the problem and need of finding a parking space I observed someone trying to find a spot and park. I sat in the passenger seat of someones car and observed them in the process of finding a parking spot.
From my observations I created a Sequential Diagram to organize the data I collected into a sequential list of steps that the user took.
Rose, Bud, Thorn Analysis
I used this method to identify what are the main issues that users have when finding a parking space. I wanted to know what is pleasant and not pleasant about the experience.
I created insights and insight clusters using the Rose, Bud, Thorn method. Each participant that I interviewed discussed the pain points, the parts they liked about the process of finding a parking space, and what they think they would want to help them in their process.
Concept Map
I then created the first draft of the conceptual model, describing the relationship between the different objects, such as drivers and parking spots, and how they affect and interact with each other.
Storyboard
From the concept map I drew a few drawings of what the pages could look like in order to aid in the creation of the storyboard.
Prototype
Creation and Initial Testing
I created a first iteration of the application using Axure and tested it with users. Here is a link to the initial prototype that can be viewed on the phone: http://9eibnd.axshare.com/#c=2&p=home (Note: if you view this on your computer, make sure to bring your browser screen down to mobile view or the prototype won't show up)
Scenario Description:
“Imagine you are trying to find a parking spot on the street. You want a spot that is near your apartment and within the permit parking zone for your apartment. Use this new application to find and successfully park in a parking spot. In addition, this application can use both voice commands and manual commands to work. The application will be giving you verbal feedback throughout the process as well, but you can choose how you would like to respond to any questions the audio asks.”
Post-task Questions:
After the participant went through the experience of using the prototype, I asked them some general questions about their experience:
What they liked about the prototype?
What they didn’t like about the prototype?
How safe they felt while using the prototype and driving? (this was interpreted in two ways)
If they could change anything to help improve their experience, what would it be?
During post-interviews several participants kept bringing up the need for safety when using the application and safety in regards to their personal information. Based on these guides I had an overall theme that kept running in my head while creating the final design: “keep it simple and safe”.
Final Prototype and Usability Testing
From these discoveries I created a final design that takes into account the task at hand as well as the overall safety of the driver and people around them, as well as having a way to keep other people from being able to access the drivers personal information. I also had to have a final design that was as simple as possible. This is because the drivers are already having to focus on their driving and the environment around them. Having an extra feature to focus on while trying to find parking and while parking could become very dangerous, very quick.
In the end, my design consisted of two parts. The first one is the main application that can be downloaded onto the phone, and the second would be sensors that are implanted into the ground, which defines a particular parking spot. The application is used so that the driver can look up what kind of parking spot they are looking for in the area, be given directions to get there, and ultimately be guided to correctly spot.
Screens for Version two of my Prototype: Prototype_Screens_Final.pdf
Conclusions and Future Work
Overall, the application and sensor implementation was quite successful. There was definitely some excitement from participants when they tested the application. There are a few ways I would want to evolve the design and application overall. I think it would be useful if the application could be implemented into cars that have interactive screens. This way we could possibly try and implement the use of the cars back camera to evolve the application further.
Thinking about these possible evolutions made me realize that with the creation of my prototype, I focused a lot on trying to make the application more universal. By this I mean working with a product that already exists and what most drivers would already have, mobile devices. Because I was so focused on this, I didn’t really push into what could be an ideal solution.
Looking ahead into the development of my application, without focusing on existing barriers, there are definitely a few ways that I would change my prototype to fit a more hypothetically ideal solution. I would want to look past the possible evolution I mentioned earlier and really think about the opportunities that could be and that have not been though of yet. I’d want to try and really come up with something new, instead of trying to implement it with some that already exists.