Exit Plaza Redesign
Tsu Station West Exit Plaza Redesign in Mie
Role: Project Manager / Designer
Responsibilities: Project Management / End-to-End Redesign
Place: Mie, Japan
Duration: 10 days
Role: Project Manager / Designer
Responsibilities: Project Management / End-to-End Redesign
Place: Mie, Japan
Duration: 10 days
The goal of this project is to enhance the user experience at the Mie-Tsu Station West Exit Plaza by addressing traffic congestion and usability issues through Service Design and UX methods. By optimizing traffic flow and spatial planning, the design aims to create a more organized, safe, and user-friendly environment while balancing the needs of pedestrians, commuters, private vehicle users, buses, and taxis.
The project will provide a comprehensive array of design outputs, including a User Research Report, Pain Point Analysis, User Journey Map, and Personas. Additionally, it will present a Concept and Optimization Plan, along with a Circulation and Service Design Proposal, to ensure an efficient and user-friendly transportation hub.
Tsu Station West Exit Plaza faces the challenge of high traffic volume and disorganized flow, which exceeds its spatial capacity. Currently, the plaza measures 2,750 m², while the actual demand surpasses 3,000 m². This situation necessitates optimized planning within the constraints of limited space.
This design plan will significantly improve traffic flow by increasing parking capacity and optimizing transfer areas, thereby enhancing overall transportation efficiency. Additionally, by implementing pedestrian-vehicle separation and optimizing circulation, the plan aims to reduce conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles, ensuring pedestrian safety. Furthermore, it will create a more comfortable station environment, ultimately enhancing user satisfaction and the overall quality of station services.
01
Tsu Station in Mie, Japan, has a history spanning over fifty years. The west exit plaza serves as a vital thoroughfare for commuters, students, and residents on a daily basis. This area is also bustling with buses, cars, and bicycles arriving from the northwest, south, and other directions.
However, due to outdated and unmodified traffic flow designs, the current layout of the Tsu Station West Exit Plaza fails to manage high traffic volumes efficiently, resulting in congestion, confusion, and safety risks.
02
To gain a deeper understanding of user behavior and needs, I conducted on-site observations during the morning peak hours.
West exit circulation and areas for different transportation
Pedestrian distribution (Weekdays 7:30-8:00 AM)
Traffic Congestion Map (Weekdays 7:30-8:00 AM, Data from Google)
Recording the movement patterns and usage habits of various groups in the station plaza has led to the following conclusions.
Well-organized
Efficiency-driven
Easily affected by crowded environments
Every morning, due to chaotic traffic, buses stop unpredictably in the middle of the road. When he gets off, he worries about his safety as he navigates through moving vehicles to reach the sidewalk.
Pain Points
• Buses stop in unsafe locations creating a hazardous situation for passengers disembarking.
• The unclear pedestrian pathways increase the risk of accidents.
•Traffic congestion makes commuting stressful and time-consuming.
Motivations
• A desire for a safer and more reliable bus stop system.
• Clearer pedestrian routes are needed to reduce the risk of accidents.
• Expect improved traffic organization to enhance commuting efficiency.
Family-oriented
Simple
Every morning, Miho drives her children to school, but the chaotic traffic in front of the station leaves her with no available parking spaces. She is forced to temporarily stop by the roadside, worrying about receiving a parking violation ticket and, more importantly, about her children's safety when they exit the car.
Pain Points
• There are fewer parking spaces available, increasing the risk of fines for temporary stops.
• Chaotic traffic poses a danger to children during drop-off.
• Stressful and time-consuming drop-offs disrupt her routine.
Motivations
• A safer and more organized drop-off area is needed.
• To ensure compliance, there is a desire for clearer traffic flow.
• Hopes for improved traffic flow to save time.
Meticulous
Quick adaptability
Every day, during peak hours, multiple buses converge at the station simultaneously. Due to limited space, Hiroshi is often compelled to make unscheduled stops to allow passengers to disembark; otherwise, subsequent bus schedules would be delayed.
Pain Points
• Limited bus parking space results in delays and traffic congestion.
• The pressure of the schedule leads to unsanctioned stops.
Motivations
• A more organized and spacious bus stop area is needed.
• Hopes for a more efficient operational process to enhance passenger safety.
03
This time, we primarily analyzed the nearby Hisai Station, which shares a similar culture and is also situated in Tsu City.
Hisai station in Tsu: Traffic lane adjustments and separation designBarrier-free facilities
(Source: Tsu City Government website, Google Maps)
04
This design aims to enhance traffic flow and pedestrian safety in the station plaza by implementing pedestrian-vehicle separation, adding green spaces, and optimizing circulation pathways, thereby creating a comfortable and efficient public space. My hypothesis is that a well-planned traffic flow and pedestrian environment can effectively reduce congestion, enhance mobility efficiency, and improve user satisfaction.
Goal
Hypothesis
Vehicle Segregation
Establish separate lanes for cars and buses to minimize risks and confusion caused by intersecting traffic flows.
Optimized Transfer Experience
Enhance passenger drop-off and pick-up areas to reduce walking distances and improve transfer convenience.
Signage
Implement clear signage and wayfinding systems to enhance users' spatial awareness and adaptability.
Constraints
Traffic Impact
Construction may disrupt the existing traffic flow, necessitating a well-planned phased adjustment strategy.
Diverse Needs
The project must balance the needs of pedestrians, vehicles, commercial facilities, and urban planning to ensure convenience for all users.
Regulatory Compliance
The design must comply with local transportation and urban development regulations to prevent approval and implementation issues.
Time
With only one week to propose a publishable concept, conducting in-depth user research and comprehensive investigations may not be feasible.
05
Due to time constraints, we are unable to conduct in-depth interviews with every user. However, by referencing successful case studies from similar projects, combined with on-site observations and preliminary research, we have identified key user needs and essential design directions. While this approach has some limitations in user research, we remain committed to developing a practical and feasible design proposal within the given timeframe to effectively enhance traffic flow and user experience experience.
The initial design proposal focuses on the following key points:
The main road is divided into two lanes
The main road is divided into two lanes, optimizing traffic flow around the station. The design reduces four roads to three one-way streets and one two-way street, forming a circular route around the station. Vehicles enter via the two-way street, which splits into separate lanes.
The red lane for cars and taxis and the green lane for buses.
Split into six sections
Designated taxi waiting area, passenger drop-off area, short-term parking zone (limited to 10 minutes), accessible parking area, bus drop-off area, and bus boarding area have been established to enhance traffic flow and convenience.
The drop-off area is conveniently located near the station exit, allowing passengers to enter the station quickly while enabling cars to exit without delays. The accessible parking area is situated close to the elevator for easy access. In accordance with Japanese cultural expectations, buses are required to depart on time, necessitating designated bus parking spaces. The layout features two drop-off areas and one boarding area, ensuring that after dropping off passengers, buses can move forward, creating space for incoming buses. Short-term parking for private vehicles is available in the outer lane, while long-term parking is offered at nearby parking lots.
Overhead view
New crosswalk
A crosswalk has been added to enhance pedestrian safety at the new docking station.
Clear traffic sign
Clear traffic signs for pedestrian and bicycle paths help prevent accidents, and bicycles are prohibited from crossing certain areas.
06
This was my first time independently designing a renovation for a station exit, and compared to my previous experiences, this project was both exciting and challenging. Within a limited timeframe, I developed a design proposal, presented it to the mayor, and received highly positive feedback, which even led to a newspaper interview—an experience I feel truly honored to have had.
Through this project, I came to deeply appreciate the power of design in shaping everyday life; even the smallest changes can significantly enhance people’s daily experiences. More importantly, understanding the genuine concerns of users is an essential part of the design process. Since last year, the Mie Prefectural Government has been actively discussing improvements for the station plaza and continuously engaging with residents to ensure that the design solutions effectively meet their needs.
Proposal to the Mayor
Hoot hoot...
Preparing something wise for you