OffRoads A persuasive website to promote fuel conservation “Make the Switch and Make a Difference”

Presentation Outline Introduction Low-Fidelity Prototype Results of Usability Testing Demonstration of Calculator & Blog Mobile Device Future Improvements

Purpose OffRoads strives to convince users to conserve fuel by changing their daily work commute from driving their own car to using public transportation

How Will This Be Accomplished? Show users annual global & personal effects of switching to mass transit Carbon dioxide emissions reduction Foreign oil dependence reduction Time savings Cost savings Health benefits

Persuasive Roles of Technology 1. Tool – simplify a behavior Example: Calculate savings 2. Medium – show effects Example: Info bites proving results 3. Social Actor – provide support Example: converse with others who have made the switch via blog/forum

Low-Fidelity Prototype

Usability Testing Idea is great, but more things can be added with the website We could do more rounds of testing with better prototypes Getting people interested seems to be main concern Use of phone aspect

Demonstration Website - Calculator Portion Blog Portion What else can be added? Getting the website known

Mobile Device OffRoads Calculator Designed for WAP enabled phones and PDAs 200 million cell phone users in the US Designed to reach more users Short demo using a cell phone simulator

Mobile Device Designed to run on multiple phone types Needs to be hosted by a WAP enabled server Actual calculating functions need to be implemented Testing on more phone brands

Lessons Learned Motivating users is a problem Attracting users to it may be difficult Mobile implementation harder than anticipated Getting name out there will be a challenge

Future Continue development of calculator Do usability testing with revised design Integrate look of blog and calculator better