Seattle ORCA Transit Ticketing

Touch Interface Design

Overview

Seattle’s LINK Light Rail was expanding from 16 to 38+ stops and multiple lines. The ORCA transit ticketing system was outdated, and needed to be redesigned for accessibility, cloud based technology, route expansion and many other factors. This presented an exciting puzzle of challenges and constraints.

My Contribution

After foundational research, I designed a baseline ticketing interface and optimized the challenging expanded maps, as well as new card-tap interfaces. I prototyped all interactions then field and studio tested the concepts. I coordinated across 7 transit agencies and dev teams, finalizing all UX & VX designs.

Impact

The new tap interfaces launched successfully in Spring of 2023. ORCA field Ambassadors observed customers, who were pleased with the new look and could immediately use it without assistance, issues, or complaints. The interface is now leveraging new cloud technology, and ready to flex with next year’s route expansion.

“We’ve launched dozens of transit ticketing touch interfaces around the world, but this is the best we’ve ever seen.”

— Product Manager, ORCA Transit Technology Partner

“Paul’s talent and dedication are unmatched.”

— Program Manager, Sound Transit

Coming Soon

This work was recently deployed to the public and I will be posting additional details of the process and work products generated in this exciting project.

Map Prototype

(Click to view)