Anthony Ferri

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.

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).