Crosswalker
Improving the experience of crossing streets at Abbot Kinney for the disabled community
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Interviewer, visual designer
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Andrew Ma, Omzee Pitchford
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Adobe Illustrator, Figma
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September - December 2019
Challenge
The sidewalk infrastructure at Abbot Kinney in Venice, California is inherently ableist - particularly the crosswalks. To make the trek across the street in time, disabled pedestrians are forced to wait in the street, hurt themselves by walking too fast, and even push their own wheelchairs.
My team set out to design a discreet solution that gives disabled pedestrians enough time to cross the street only when disabled pedestrians are present.
We strived for a system that can benefit all pedestrians but doesn't constantly slow the area's traffic patterns or make people feel singled out.
Research
Why Abbot Kinney?
Abbot Kinney is an artsy, half mile shopping area which stretches 13 blocks between Venice Blvd to Broadway Street. As a famous hangout for locals, celebrities, and tourists alike, it welcomes hundreds of pedestrians, bikers, and drivers every hour.
My team chose this space because it serves as a paradigm of transportation in Los Angeles. We first visited Abbot Kinney in September 2019 to observe its mobility infrastructure.
Observations
We found that only half of the curbs had lips, less than 25% of the intersections had timed crosswalks, and people with disabilities generally struggled to cross streets in a timely and safe manner. These insights were cemented by watching our disabled peer, Sophia, interact with the space.
We met Dave, who complained of cracked sidewalks and narrow pathways (especially when swerving around hoards of tourists).
The elderly lady (back) was forced to hobble-jog across the street when she ran out of time. Her friend hurriedly followed with the wheelchair.
Pedestrians with disabilities struggle to cross intersections like this one, which lacks curb lips, a countdown timer, and a designated walking zone.
Able-bodied pedestrians have the luxury of crossing the street whenever and wherever they want.
Not all disabilities are permanent.
Interviews
To learn firsthand about commuting with bodily impediments, we met with two friends - Ojin and Sophia. Ojin uses a custom built, motorized wheelchair to help overcome her birth defects - weakened legs, an unstable spine, and inflexible hands. Sophia was born with Ataxia, a neurological disease that affects the nerves. She uses a walker to move around.
Ojin
Sophia
Insights
They both avoid sidewalks due to general difficulties.
Since neither Sophia nor Ojin can drive, so they rely on public transportation and Access, a wheelchair-friendly Uber-esque service, to get around.
Ojin mentioned that the painted stripes on crosswalks are so thick that she usually struggles to push her wheelchair over the bumps.
Both she and Sophia mentioned, unprompted, that they wait at crosswalks in the street instead of the sidewalk because they’re so used to running out of time.
Design & Testing
Ideation
We started thinking of ways to protect slow walkers as they cross streets.
Smart Bracelet
This bracelet would communicate with the timer at each intersection (replacing the crosswalk button for the wearer). Users would tap the bracelet’s bead once to cross forward, twice to cross sideways, and not at all to turn and stay on the sidewalk.
We ditched the idea for a few reasons.
Users don’t want to be forced to carry another object around - they want the solution to adapt to their lifestyle, not vice versa.
It would be difficult to get the bracelet to understand which direction the wearer was facing.
Interviewers pointed out that not all target users can use their hands to tap the bracelet.
Bollards
We also considered lining the crosswalk with bollards, which would raise up when it was the pedestrians’ time to cross. Our interviewees loved this idea - “It would actually make me feel safe.“
We didn’t move forward with this idea because
It could damage cars that crept over the line.
It would significantly increase traffic, especially if bollards malfunctioned and permanently block the street.
This would cost a fortune to implement/construct.
Sidewalk Corner Sensors
This idea was born in relation to the smart bracelet. By adding Bluetooth sensors to each street corner, a user could easily send a signal when approaching the intersection. In response, the crosswalk would increase the countdown time. Users liked this idea, but didn’t like the disabled iconography shown above.
We moved forward with this idea, with some adjustments.
Users would send a signal through an app.
The sensor design would not generalize, ostracize, or call attention to disabled pedestrians.
Sensor Design
This design shares the same branding as the app while avoiding overt handicapped iconography.
Inactive sensor
Extra time for the path on the right
App Wireframes
Testing & Feedback
THE GOOD
Hands Free
Because Ojin doesn’t have full control over her hands, she wants the app to send signals automatically. For similar reasons, she was happy that the medical record only consisted of 6 numbers, as opposed to a long username and password. In her eyes, the less typing the better.
THE BAD
Function
Besides connecting with in-ground sensors via Bluetooth and sending time requests based on the user’s walking speed, this app doesn’t actually do much, interaction-wise.
Confusing Buttons
Testers were confused about what to expect after clicking the Bluetooth icon in the upper right. They were also confused which direction the app was telling them to cross.
Aesthetic
Abbot Kinney is a trendy, fashionable area, but these wireframes didn’t reflect the street’s style.
App Prototype
The new prototype offers two modes: automatic (the app sends requests) and manual (the user sends requests). This way, users can choose whether they want an interactive or hands-free experience.
We removed the Bluetooth button (which didn’t do anything anyway) and replaced the Settings icon with a more intuitive Profile button.
In manual mode, the app specifies each choice with the direction and street name.
Reflections
Successes
Solves disabled pedestrians’ two biggest concerns: crossing the street in time and accessing the curb ramp efficiently (no wheeling out of the way to hit the button)
Offers hands-free and interactive modes (people who can’t use their hands experience the same quality of service)
Future Considerations
Test the prototype!
Based on feedback, either remove “medical assist devices“ section or give a reason for users to supply that data
Auditory-based UX
Color-blind friendly mode
Test the app’s ability to know which direction the user’s facing, since that changes the street options on the “send signal“ buttons
Build out the automatic mode
Add symbol in map view which tells the user if they’re in automatic or manual mode
Meet with city planners to discuss implementation feasibility
Want to see behind the scenes? Click to view the project folder on Google Drive.