Adapt-a-Ride commuting design study

In 2011, I co-authored Adapt-A-Ride: Understanding the Dynamics of Commuting Preferences through an Experience Design Framework, published in DPPI '11: Proceedings of the 2011 Conference on Designing Pleasurable Products and Interfaces. This research explored why solo driving remains the dominant commuting choice in the U.S., despite the availability of alternatives like ridesharing and public transit. Many transportation solutions fail to gain widespread adoption, often because they focus on technology and incentives rather than understanding the human factors driving commuting decisions.

We framed commuting as a transition problem and applied an experience design framework to study how people make and adapt their commuting choices. Through a nationwide survey and in-depth interviews with 30 commuters, we identified three key factors influencing commuting behavior: flexibility, cost, and personal preference. While cost was often cited as a motivator, we found that people who valued convenience and flexibility were the least likely to change their habits based on financial incentives alone.

To explore potential solutions, we designed and tested a concept ridesharing system that accounted for these behavioral insights. Using speed-dating sessions and prototyping, we found that people’s willingness to consider alternative commuting options increased when they were presented with concrete, personalized scenarios. This suggests that designing for behavioral change requires more than just incentives—it requires reframing commuting choices in ways that align with individual lifestyles and social dynamics.

This study reinforced my belief that human-centered design can help solve complex transportation and infrastructure challenges. By understanding the deeper psychological and contextual factors behind commuting choices, we can create more effective, user-driven solutions that make shared mobility more viable and widely adopted.

Read the research article here.