Gothenburg Traffic and Transit Authority – THREE ASPECTS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT PASSENGER INFORMATION 1995

Description

GOTIC (Gothenburg Traffic Information Centre), run by the Gothenburg Traffic & Transit Authority with Chalmers University and national research board support, investigates how informatics can raise public transport quality. Its 1994 project “Passenger Information Needs and Requirements” used focus groups, observations and passenger log-books to identify common problems—poor calling out of stops, ticketing issues, service changes, incomplete timetables and maps, difficulty identifying stops, and limited on-board information. The report defines three essential information functions: communicative (clear idiom, recognition and corporate image), pedagogic (easy-to-learn, consistent, legible presentation) and operational (complete, correct, up-to-date, relevant information; disruption signaling; on-board confirmation). Findings show a gap between theoretical principles and practice and recommend an integrated information system, communication manuals, and staged development (theory, experience, manual). Practical design guidance covers on-board displays—prioritizing next-stop naming, disruption notices, connection departure times and route maps—and advocates readable typefaces (Binotype). GOTIC offers detailed reports, tools and CD-ROM resources for implementers and manufacturers.