Tebb – A PROPOSAL FOR A PILOT PUBLIC TRANSPORT TIMETABLE COMPREHENSIBILITY STUDY 1978

Description

This 43-page working paper, WP(PT)38, “A PROPOSAL FOR A PILOT PUBLIC TRANSPORT TIMETABLE COMPREHENSIBILITY STUDY: MATRIX TIMETABLES,” was authored by R.C.F. Tebb, BSc, PhD, of the UK’s Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL) in 1978. As a product of a respected government research institution, it offers a trustworthy historical perspective on human factors in public transport design. The document, presented as a scanned original, is rich in visual examples, featuring numerous full-page reproductions of different timetable matrix formats—including 24-hour, AM/PM, and ‘reflected’ layouts, alongside a “route-strip” concept. It provides a foundational look at research methods for assessing timetable clarity, making it invaluable for scholars, designers, and transport professionals interested in the evolution of information design and user experience within public transit systems. Its age underscores the enduring challenge of effective information communication.