Wicked Problems Live in Modern Cities (Group)

Week 8 Task

Problem Definition

According to user surveys and interviews, there are many nasty challenges that come with being a modern city resident. Urban traffic congestion is one of these issues that has to be addressed immediately. Traffic jams regularly trap commuters, wasting valuable time and making their problems worse. Traffic delays have more consequences than just being inconvenient; they also cause financial losses and hinder productivity. Furthermore, there is a noticeable environmental cost since idling cars release chemicals into the atmosphere that worsen air quality and fuel climate change. (Jain, V., Sharma, A., & Subramanian, L. 2012)

Transportation system inefficiencies worsen the problem, with fragmented public transportation systems and poor infrastructure making traffic problems worse. High traffic numbers raise the probability of accidents, endangering the safety of both vehicles and pedestrians. This raises serious concerns about safety. Another important consideration is accessibility, as vulnerable groups are particularly impacted by limited mobility alternatives and transportation-related difficulties.

The complex structure of the issue is further highlighted by equity considerations, since transportation issues and socioeconomic inequalities interact to sustain inequity in urban environments. Technological disruptions, on the other hand, bring with them possibilities as well as difficulties, changing the face of urban transportation and requiring adaptable solutions.

                                                                                                                   (KEU XUN FENG TP070032)

                                                                                                                   (SHUM HE TING TP070362)

User Persona

"Urban Commuter," one of our user personas, lives in a city and often faces traffic jams. They worry about the environment and are irritated by the waste and negative effects of their every day journey. When choosing a method of transportation, they consider sustainability, convenience, and durability. Even if they own a car, they are willing to options that can help them save time, reduce their stressed, and keep a cleaner environment.

A wide variety of people from cities like Sydney, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Berlin, and Amsterdam are referred as the "Urban Commuters." When it comes to transit, they have different preferences and challenges. For example, despite the high expense and congested roads, people in Sydney, Los Angeles, and Tokyo choose to drive their vehicles (Owens, 2019). Because of lengthy distances and narrow roads, many find cycling difficult and public transport to be difficult and undependable. However, people who live in Berlin and Amsterdam regularly ride bicycles and public transit, saving the use of cars for certain reasons (Owens, 2019).

This persona is ready to try new things and methods of transportation as long as they are trustworthy, useful, and environmentally friendly. They are searching for full solutions that address the root cause of traffic jams and encourage sustainable urban living, not just temporary fixes for their commuter problems. 

 (ONG CHENG BIN TP070411)

Solutions

The solution to solve heavy traffic in modern cities is encouraging citizens to use Public Transportation more often. Improving public transport systems, such as buses, subways, trams, and commuter rail, can provide effective alternatives to private car use. This includes broadening coverage, boosting frequency and capacity, enhancing accessibility, and integrating various transit modes. Bus operators try to make their services commercially viable by designing circuitous routes that pass close to as many houses as possible. This can make a 5-mile trip take the best part of an hour, which is particularly unattractive to commuters. (Smarter Cambridge Transport December 12,2016)

The other solution to solve heavy traffic in modern cities is to improve traffic management. Variable Message Signs (VMS) are shown over each lane to allow for variable speed and lane use, as well as to control traffic flow and lane use during peak hours and in reaction to traffic events to alleviate congestion. During busy hours, speed limits can be adjusted using the VMS, enhancing the road's capacity. Another approach for establishing more lanes is to temporarily open hard shoulders to traffic. ATMs will also notify drivers of upcoming congestion and problems, allowing them time to plan alternative routes. (World Economic Forum July 31,2014)

 (SIEW SZE ZHONG TP070951)

Reference

Jain, V., Sharma, A., & Subramanian, L. (2012). Road traffic congestion in the developing world. In Proceedings of the 2nd ACM Symposium on Computing for Development (pp. 11). Atlanta, Georgia. https://nyuscholars.nyu.edu/en/publications/road-traffic-congestion-in-the-developing-world

Owens, D. (2019, January 28). UX CASE STUDY — WICKED PROBLEMS. Medium.

https://medium.com/@denizowens/ux-case-study-wicked-problems-a7bddcf6dfa2

Transport, S. C. (2021, September 12). Reducing traffic congestion and pollution in urban areas. Smarter Cambridge Transport. https://www.smartertransport.uk/smarter-cambridge-transport-urban-congestion-enquiry/

Seven ways cities around the world are tackling traffic. (2020, February 5). World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2014/07/seven-ways-cities-around-world-tackling-traffic/