Mackenzie and Howell – TIME TABLES – A USER VIEW 1993

Description

This 23-page academic research paper, “Time Tables: A User View,” was authored by Maureen Mackenzie and Kate Howell of the Communication Research Institute of Australia and published in 1993 as part of Volume 18, Part 2 of the Australasian Transport Research Forum. Highly trustworthy due to its rigorous methodology and detailed reporting, the document addresses critical user difficulties with traditional public transport timetables. It proposes and evaluates two innovative, user-centric prototype designs—the “Enhanced Numeric” and the more graphical “Timeline”—integrating findings from historical design, legibility studies, and extensive user surveys. Featuring six illustrative figures, the paper demonstrates how improved information design can significantly enhance user understanding and, consequently, increase public transport usage. This work offers valuable insights for transport authorities seeking to optimize timetable effectiveness and boost patronage.