The Bus Beacon
Accessible, real-time bus delay info without relying on smartphones
How can information empower Metro King County bus commuters? During an intensive 8-week design sprint, our team of 4 uncovered pain points in the commuting process through mixed-methods research and responded with a bus stop redesign, complete with a 1:1 scale prototype. Since completion, The Bus Beacon has been featured on the University of Washington’s website and piqued the interest of Sound Transit’s department of innovation.
The short version
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Problem
Metro bus riders in Seattle want access to reliable bus arrival information and are simultaneously overwhelmed with notifications and smartphone-based tools.
Solution
The Bus Beacon replaces traditional bus stop signage with a dynamic lighted pole that offers real-time information in accessible formats for all users.
Impact
Featured on the UW Human Centered Design & Engineering department’s website
Invited to pitch the Bus Beacon to Sound Transit’s head of innovation
