Columbus Moves: The Design of Urban Transportation
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Date
2008-06
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Projects like the Downtown Columbus Streetcar Group have the potential to act as a viable transportation network solution that encourages economic development by using an effective visual campaign to communicate its benefits to the public. Through this research, I hope to continue with my studies in information design and visual wayfinding systems that I began last fall in Zurich, Switzerland. This thesis will look at the design concept of the Columbus streetcar proposal. A visual representation of the Columbus Streetcar project will have a role in the planning, advertisement, and implementation of the project in the community. The research for this project will draw on design topics including branding, information design, signage, typography, visual identity systems, and the wayfinding systems. Methods of research will include observational study, market research, and data collection by way of interviews, questionnaires, cartography study, prototype analysis, and observation. Research findings will help guide the design process and will focus on the background, visual identity, and sign development for the streetcar project. The history of the streetcars in Columbus will be studied, as well as how they used to work and why they fell out of use. Studies of transportation systems in other cities and countries will provide reference for visual systems that are already functional. The objective of this research is to utilize visual communication to increase awareness about the streetcar proposal. The thesis will include the production of a design concept manual that outlines the proposal for the streetcars and a marketing campaign including print and web materials. The manual will summarize research including the visual identity branding of the streetcar, background on the history of streetcars in Columbus, transportation models from other cities, and integration of the streetcars with automobiles. A printed poster will also bring attention to the streetcar project. Design can help aid the goal of the streetcar project in establishing a strong public transportation system in Columbus that would reduce traffic congestion from cars and provide citizens of disability with a more equal opportunity for getting around town.
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Keywords
Columbus, Streetcar, Tram, Transportation, Urban, Development