Dates: January 2024 - Present

Project Role: User Research Lead

Focus Areas: Usability Testing, User Needs Assessment, Traveler Information

Project Overview

The Permian Basin Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Odessa District are undertaking a major construction project along the I-20 corridor in the Midland–Odessa area to improve capacity and safety. Construction is expected to last through 2040. The corridor experiences heavy truck traffic due to regional oil activity and offers limited detour routes, making I-20 a critical travel route for residents. This project focuses on improving traveler information during construction by understanding user needs and evaluating existing tools.

My Contributions and Responsibilities

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Project Artifacts

Usability Testing Summary

This presentation summarizes findings from usability testing I conducted of our project’s website (https://www.basin20.org/I20odessa-web/), including the study procedure and key insights. Results revealed a mismatch between the website’s intended design and users’ mental model.

It was not clear to users that the available information reflected the messages on deployed dynamic message signs (DMSs) along I-20. Participants instead interpreted the displayed travel times as distances between DMSs rather than as travel times to the next location. This misunderstanding could significantly impact traveler decision-making.

Public Survey Sample

This survey was developed to understand the attitudes, perceptions, and level of awareness of residents in the Midland-Odessa rea regarding ongoing construction. Questions also explored informational needs for potential digital solutions and perceptions of usability of the traveler information website.