Affiliations: [a] Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA | [b] IDeA Center, School of Architecture and Planning, SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA | Carnegie Mellon University, Institute for Complex Engineered Systems, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Aaron Steinfeld, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Tel.: +1 412 268 6346; Fax: +1 412 268 6436; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: We propose that citizen science methods can engage riders with disabilities and others in improving public transportation accessibility by documenting and assessing problems and good solutions throughout the system. This will empower riders, resulting in a greater understanding of the transportation system, and improve the feedback loop between rider and provider. This paper includes findings on how riders prefer to report such observations through an experiment designed to compare the modalities of the Notes (text, audio) and Media (none, photo, video). The results from two user groups, those without disabilities and those who use wheeled mobility devices, suggest that text with photo should be supported and that use of video may not have additional value to end users. The generally positive responses suggest that end users are open to participating in such communities and that feedback is important.
Keywords: Citizen science, public transportation, accessibility, transit riders, disabilities
