UX / Tangible Interaction Design
Helping IRCTC staff promote train cleanliness by promptly emptying full wastebins
Year
2019
Client
Personal Project
Role
UX and Interaction Design
Team
2 designers
Scope
UX strategy and Tangible Product Design
Background
Indian Railways, one of the largest rail networks in the world, serves approximately 22.94 million passengers daily. Unfortunately, due to passengers' disregard for cleanliness and inadequate train maintenance, Indian railway services have earned a reputation for their litter-strewn tracks and train compartments. Recognizing the urgent need to improve service quality and modernize its ageing railway infrastructure, the Indian government is taking several measures to address the issue of rubbish disposal. Among these is the inclusion of dustbins in each coach of the recently redesigned trains to aid in garbage control. However, the mere installation of trash cans is not sufficient to ensure their proper use and maintenance, necessitating a concerted effort by all stakeholders to address this pervasive problem.
The Challenge
It's tough to examine and clean the garbage bins of all the coaches in a train in such a short amount of time.
Design Process
Design Process
The study began with an examination of Indian Railways' present waste collection methods and a knowledge of their strategy through interviews and surveys.
Competitor Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Reading about the existing smart waste collection technology was part of the desk study. After having a thorough knowledge about the several methods available, a competitive analysis was carried out.
User Study
User Study
User interviews and surveys were conducted with the cleaning staff and passengers at the railway station.
Cleaning Staff
A field study was conducted at the Pune Junction Railway Station to better understand the existing system and practice. An unstructured questionnaire was given to the workers in charge of waste removal with the permission of supervisors.
Functioning of Cleaning Staff
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Railway maintenance is outsourced to third-party cleaning companies. It is handled by two service providers at Pune Junction.
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Every day, these companies clean and maintain approximately a hundred trains in three railway zones stretching from Jammu to Erode.
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In three shifts, three devoted employees are assigned as 'Attendants,' who are responsible for clearing dustbins from AC coaches and attending to any passenger complaints.
Painpoints of Cleaning Staff
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The staff does not know which dustbin needs immediate attention.
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The staff has to unnecessarily check all dustbins.
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Very less number of staff is assigned for cleaning.
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In such a short stop at the station, it's impossible to resolve all complaints and inspect the trash cans.
Passenger
A questionnaire was administered both online and offline to better understand the requirements and challenges of passengers.
Demography
19-54 years (age)
Sampling Technique
Convenience Sampling
Insights
Painpoints of Passengers
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Dustbins are not cleaned regularly.
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Size of dustbin is very small.
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Dustbins in sleeper coaches are not cleaned unless a complaint is raised.
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Dustbins are not cleaned post - lunch and dinner.
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Foul smell from the dustbins.
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No proper disposal method for liquid waste.
Persona
Persona
Personas were built based on the results of the survey and interviews to help guide design decisions, prioritise tasks, and generate empathy with potential target audience.
Business Model
Business Model
The following business model was created to help with the implementation of the concept.
Concept
Concept
An IOT based smart dustbin management system is proposed as a solution to the problems and needs observed in the user study.
Activity Diagram
Block Diagram
Block Diagram
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Arduino UNO
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Ultrasonic sensors SR - 04
Hardware Used
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Embedded C
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Python
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Jumper wires
Diagram Showing the functioning of the system
Connections
Dashboard
The following dashboard is designed for the supervisor where he/she could see upcoming trains as well as the coach numbers with the respective dustbins that needs to be cleaned.
The supervisor can assign the cleaning of the train to third party services.
Upon assigning the task, respective staffs receive a message as to which bins should to be cleaned on their mobile phones.
Concept
Limitation
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The hardwares might get stolen.
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Central wifi system failure might cause a big issue.
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The placement of sensors needs a waterproof system.
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Travellers patience and proper waste disposal will help get foolproof data.
Future Scope
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Further study is required on segregation and recycling of waste after it is cleared out of coaches.
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Work on training the cleaning staff.