The Hook
When the city quiets down, the bus becomes more than transportation it becomes a lifeline. This research explores how late-night riders navigate safety, uncertainty, and trust in Cincinnati’s transit system.
Motive
Investigating how emotional safety, trust, and digital systems shape Cincinnati’s late-night
transit experience.
Year
2025
About the project
This project was developed in the Research Methods studio, where research is treated as both a generative and evaluative design practice. Using mixed methods field observation, contextual inquiry, interviews, and diary studies I investigated how digital systems and physical infrastructure intersect in real-world public transportation experiences.
Research Plan & Methods
To understand the complexity of night commuting, I applied a mixed-method research approach:
Method Reflection
I informally evaluated each method based on the type and depth of insight it generated. Interviews stood out for emotional depth, contextual inquiry clarified real-time behavior, observations revealed environmental factors, and diary studies captured patterns over time. This reflection helped me understand which methods were most effective and how they complemented one another.
Key Insights
Across interviews and observations, a recurring theme emerged: night commuters carry both fatigue and alertness. They are tired from long shifts, yet hyper-aware of their surroundings.
About the project
Content