The Design of a Graphic Representation of Bus Route Information for Use at Bus Stops

The bus information sign at a bus stop is a basic and important means for providing bus users with necessary transportation information (e.g., bus route information). If bus route information at a bus stop is insufficient, bus passengers may have problems finding the bus route(s) and bus stop(s) required to reach their destination(s). In contrast, if too much information is provided in a disorganized manner, bus users will have difficulty selecting the correct bus route among many confusing options. A well-designed multi-route bus map is therefore an important factor in helping users navigate the transportation system. Xigang Township in Tainan County in Taiwan has been chosen as the study area. In this study the authors presented multi-route bus information in two design formats and evaluated them by means of accompanied surveys and evaluation tests. Because older adults often rely on buses for transportation, and they may have age-related physical limitations, their feedback in relation to the newly-designed route information was considered. Several design suggestions for a multi-route bus map were generated on the basis of the survey and test results.