[Sigia-l] Interactive mapping research

[Debbie Huntington]

I'm beginning implementation of a user interface for interactive mapping.
The purpose of providing this kind of map is to provide public transit users
an easy way of "seeing" the trip they've planned and to provide the transit
user the ability to find transit related amenities like bus stops nearest
their destination or origin. Our map would be similar to MapQuest.com or
Yahoo.com maps, yet limited to our transit agency's service area and would
have the bus and light rail routes and stops available.

We currently provide schematic static maps (with no stops) and the ability
to plan your trip. Planning your trip generates itinerary options with links
to the schematic static maps for each route called out on the trip plan.
What the static maps don't provide are the visual demonstration of
interconnections of a multi-route trip, true map scale or adjacent street
detail (only major intersections along the route.) The new interactive map
will be able to do this. In addition we have a simple interface that allows
you to type in a destination (address, intersection or landmark) to find a
route or stop nearest you, which generates a text list (no visuals here).

We have two basic user types: the experienced transit rider who will use
maps and schedule tables to figure out their trip (just like they've done
pre-internet days) and the novice infrequent rider who find maps and bus
schedules difficult to use and will call for assistance or use our trip
planner interface online, which figures out the trip itinerary for you.

The questions I have for the group are:

Where can I find usability research that's been done that would validate the
need to show the visual connection of the best trip option between the
origin and destination points versus only showing the points with no
highlighted route connecting the two.

I'd like to consider eliminating online availability of static maps and
schedules and direct folks to use the trip planning tool for itinerary and
map info. I may be ahead of my time here, and over simplifying the process,
not sure if the paradigm shift would be acceptable to users, internet access
to public transit info has not been around very long.  I'd like to know how
to best go about testing this concept.


Thanks,
Debbie Huntington
http://www.trimet.org
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