Infrastructure UX shows experts' priorities

How much do experts really care about serving people of all ages & abilities?

User experience (UX) is an integral part of developing:

• refrigerators

• coffee pots

• backpacks

• boots

• window blinds

• sunglasses

• software

• silverware

• desk chairs

Infrastructure belongs on that list, but infrastructure "developers" aren't trained to consider the UX of streets and buildings. Unless of course, the car itself is considered the end user. 

It’s true that everything around us is designed to accommodate automobile traffic. Strip malls, university campuses, office parks, playgrounds, churches, restaurants – everything. But I don’t believe it’s because planning and public works departments are purposefully thinking of cars as users rather than humans. Still, that’s the outcome of their policies and projects. Humans take a back seat to vehicles. 

Psychology & sociology are vital elements of planning & engineering that aren't taught to planners & engineers.

Since infrastructure experts promise to serve the public interest, human behavior ought to be one of the first things they learn in coursework. Think of it this way: psychology is the study of individual residents and sociology is the study of groups of residents. 

If they studied the behavior of humans…

• Civil engineers would understand how a motorist’s cone of vision makes them reckless behind the wheel.

• Traffic engineers would understand why feelings of claustrophobia are bad for pedestrians but good for motorists.

• Policymakers would understand how segregating land uses into zones erodes much-needed human connections between people.

It is true that many site plans and corridor studies have a terrific automobile UX. But don't let the experts stop there. Even motorists are pedestrians before and after their trip. For any policy or project (existing or proposed!), ask about the UX for residents.