Anthony Ferri
mobil.LAB Fellow
Funded by the Hans-Böckler Foundation
Phone: +49.89.289.10452
Email: anthony.ferri[at]tum.de
Research Focus:
- Inclusive Design
- Pedestrian Navigation
- Policy Analysis
- Semiotics and Communications
- Wayfinding Infrastructure Design
PhD Project Description
Social Sustainability through Transit Wayfinding
Wayfinding can be described as the physical communication components that assist users in navigating across various urban and regional spaces, essentially, a tool for decision making and decision execution (Jensen 2009; Lynch, 1960; Passini, 1992). Wayfinding is essential for transit users as it acts as a safety net for unfamiliar spaces. However, wayfinding can also be disorienting and confusing for users when not properly implemented, or simply, because it is different from what they are used to.
When considering social sustainability, sustainable transportation and how individuals transfer between transit modes, the way we visualize and design navigational tools has a tremendous impact on a user’s environment. Often, we fail to understand how vital a role wayfinding has in disseminating key passenger information. Being able to translate people’s movements into directional devices effectively is a powerful tool to prevent confusion and disorientation. With the understanding that user mobility is dependent on a user’s perception of space, I am exploring user interactions with surrounding transit wayfinding in order to identify if and where a communication breakdown exists.
My research looks at users’ experiences within public transit systems and the impact wayfinding has on their everyday transit decisions. Included in my research are qualitative and empirical research methods such as: Destination-Task Investigations, one-on-one interviews, and observational research.
CV
| Since 2018 | PhD fellow at the mobil.LAB Doctoral Research Group funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation |
| 2015-2018 | M.Sc. in Transportation Systems (Technische Universität München) (Germany) |
| 2015-2017 | Assistant Researcher (Hiwi position) with the Chair or Urban Structure and Transportation Planning at Technische Universität München (Germany) |
| 2013-2015 | Urban Planner with the Department of Planning and Lands at the City of Yellowknife (Canada) |
| 2014 | Registered Professional Planner with the Alberta Professional Planners Institute (Canada) |
| 2014 | Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (Canada) |
| 2012 | Continuing Studies Certificate - Transportation Courses (Simon Fraser University) (Canada) |
| 2011-2013 | Planning and Lands Officer with the Department of Planning and Lands at the City of Yellowknife (Canada) |
| 2011 | Student Cartographic Specialist at Peterborough County-City Health Unit (Canada) |
| 2010-2011 | GIS (Cartographic Specialist) Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (Fleming College) (Canada) |
| 2009 | Student Design Intern at Fundación Metropoli, Metropoli Cities Lab (Spain) |
| 2008-2010 | M.UDD. Masters of Urban Development and Design (University of New South Wales) (Australia) |
| 2007-2008 | FLE Certificate of French as a Second Language (Université Laval) (Canada) |
| 2003-2007 | B.A. in Environmental Studies and Geography (Trent University) (Canada) |
Publications
2020
Villeneuve, D., D. Durán-Rodas, A. Ferri, T. Kuttler, J. Magelund, M. Mögele, L. Nitschke, E. Servou, and C. Silva. (2019) What is Interdisciplinarity in Practice? Critical Reflections on Doing Mobility Research in an Intended Interdisciplinary Doctoral Research Group. Sustainability 2020, 12(1), 197.
2018
Ferri, Anthony: “Making Connections: The Effectiveness of Transit Wayfinding in Munich’s Central Station”. Technische Universität München, Master’s Thesis. (Munich, Germany).
2013
Ferri, Anthony, Kralt, Margaret, and Philpott, Dhara: “The View from Up-Here”. Canadian Institute of Planners National Conference – INFUSE. Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada).
Ferri, Anthony, and Kralt, Margaret: “Northern Planning Perspectives”. Alberta Professional Planners Institute special multi-city presentation. Calgary, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, and Red Deer (Alberta, Canada).
Voluntary Activities
| Since 2014 | Registered Professional Planner with the Alberta Professional Planning Institute |
| Since 2014 | Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners |
| 2013-2015 | Elected Communications Councillor for the Alberta Professional Planning Institute |
| 2011-2015 | Chair of the Northern Planning Events Committee of Northern Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut (Canada) |
| 2004-2007 | Elected student government representative - Otonabee College (Trent University) (Canada) |