Liff – PUBLIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN URBAN MASS TRANSIT 1971

Description

Explore the foundational insights into urban mass transit information systems with Sally Diane Liff’s Master of Science thesis, “Public Information Systems in Urban Mass Transit,” submitted to Northwestern University in August 1971. This substantial 131-page academic work meticulously details a pioneering methodology using psychometric scaling (attitude and ratio scales) and surveys administered to Chicago residents. It features detailed questionnaires, numerous data tables, and illustrative figures, including original survey imagery, offering a rich historical snapshot of transit research. While concluding that improved information systems alone may not significantly increase ridership, the study emphasizes the critical role of information quality in enhancing user experience. This document is a valuable resource for researchers, urban planners, and transportation historians interested in early attempts to quantify user perceptions and the lasting challenges of public transit communication.