Rose – TO BOARD OR NOT TO BOARD 2012

Description

Doug Rose critiques the common neglect and poor information design of bus stops, arguing the flag should serve only two clear functions: help drivers learn and find stops, and confirm to passengers that they’re in the right place for a chosen route. He documents widespread problems: out-of-date or missing route numbers, operator branding and unrelated notices that confuse passengers (especially visitors), and illegible or ambiguous stop letters used in “Where to Board” schemes. Letter/number combinations on flags can be mistaken for route codes, and maps often lack clear “You are here” cues or visible links to pole signage. Rose urges designers and operators to stop assuming user knowledge, simplify and prioritise information, use letters-only stop identities to avoid confusion with route numbers, improve visual hierarchy, and place maps and pointers so passengers can easily connect flag signals to destinations. He warns that lack of complaints is a poor measure of usability and calls for user-focused communication design.