Device Analysis: Pedestrian Crossing

With the large amount of vehicles on the streets, many locations have implemented electronic pedestrian signals that alert incoming vehicles to be cautious of people crossing the street. Most of these signals are located at stoplights with a lot of traffic. Others, like the one at the new UCF Downtown campus and other educational institutes, are placed in the middle of the street where a large flow of people cross. The user goes up to it, pushes the button and waits for the crossing lights to turn on, meaning it’s safe to walk across. 


The actual process of using this system is simple, easy and quick. Users tend to take less than 5 seconds to perform the action. However, due to its location, there is an added effort to it since many users don’t notice the action button till after they have passed it. This takes them extra time to go back to push, many deciding instead to just cross the street when they find the opportunity. 

Evaluating the system through Norman’s principles of interaction, the main affordance for this item is to trigger a safety light. This is done through its signifiers which are the button and sign on the pole that indicate what the user should do and where, in order to perform the action. Although the sign is present with the conceptual model located right above the button, the mapping of the system could be improved. The pole is located near the area of the crossing sign, but it’s easily unperceived by the users due to its small size and lack of importance in relation to its environment. People tend to walk towards the usual pedestrian sign that is along the border of the sidewalk, where one would begin to cross. Then, some people, realize there are flashing lights that are turned on in some way and try to find the trigger, only to see they have already passed it; other users simply cross the street without even realizing that there is such an alert system. If the user sees the button and presses it there is immediate feedback provided from the system, which turns on the blinking caution lights to inform the incoming traffic. Although it is a simple action, the users perceive it right away, knowing they are now alerting others that they will be crossing. 

Overall, taking in mind Norman’s most important characteristics for a good design, discoverability and understanding, I’d consider this pedestrian light is well designed. Even if the user has never encountered this type of crossing light, due to the simplicity of its actions they’ll discover and understand its use within a few seconds. If they pass the action pole on their first try, they’re likely to remember within the next couple of times, improving their use of this system.

Reference

Norman, Don. The Design of Everyday Things : Revised and Expanded Edition, Basic Books, 2013, pp. 1-36.