Teen pahiya
Around 1880 rickshaws appeared in India, first introduced in Simla by Reverend J. Fordyce. At the turn of the century they were introduced in Calcutta, India, and by 1914 they were a conveyance for hire.
Context
Rickshaw began as a two or three – wheeled passenger cart, called a pulled rickshaw, generally pulled by one man with one passenger. The first known use of the term was in 1887. Over time, cycle rickshaws, auto rickshaws, and electric rickshaws were invented. Pulled rickshaws became a popular means of transportation, and a source of employment for male laborers, within Asian cities in the 19th century. Their appearance was related to newly acquired knowledge of ball bearing systems. Their popularity declined as cars, trains and other means of transportation became widely available. Auto rickshaws are becoming more popular in some cities in the twenty first century as an alternative to taxis because of their low cost of fuel and maintenance.
The word rickshaw originates from the Japanese word Jinrikisha, which literally means human powered vehicle.
An auto rickshaw is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers. An auto rickshaw conveys passengers between locations of their choice. This differs from other modes of public transport where the pick-up and drop-off locations are determined by the service provider, not by the passenger. According to regulations in Mumbai, all auto rickshaws are required to have a fare meter installed. Auto rickshaw can either be hailed or are hired from auto rickshaw stands or can be hailed on the street.
Since becoming a rickshaw driver was the first job easily available for peasants migrating to new cities, it quickly became a key form of livelihood.
This is our POV everyday
Process
To study the everyday tasks and routine performed by the auto rikshaw driver in their natural environment to understand thier problems as well as needs and come up with design interventions.
Let’s look at it from the other side this time
Literature review
One-on-one interviews
Clicking pictures
Recording audio
Careful observation
Contextual enquiry
Ground Research
Noting individual accounts
Quantifying
Clustering
Compiling data
Clustering data
Stakeholder and environment mapping
User journey mapping
Scenario
Problem identification
Generating actionable insights
Analyzing
Braistorming ideas
Problem specific
case studies
Prototyping
User testing
Ideating
Objective
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region has around 60,000 taxis and 4.6 lakh auto-rickshaws.
Source : Economictimes.indiatimes.com, as of March 2021
India is home to three quarters of the world’s auto rickshaws, which are three - wheeled engine vehicles that are hired to move both people and goods. These vehicles play an important role in urban transport in the country, being used for a wide range of purposes, often for trips that cannot be practically undertaken on the other types of public transport and at a considerably lower cost than that would be incurred in a taxi.
In addition to mass public transit (train, metro, buses) and private transport and there is a third form of transportation - intermediate public transport (IPT) in the form of auto rickshaws and taxis - that serve an important role in the transportation system of the city.
Auto rikshaw serves as an intermediate public transport (IPT) or paratransit, providing first and last mile connectivity, while also bridging the gap in the existing public transport system. It is known to be the most efficient and cheap transportation for short distances in India.
Secondary Research
Study on Work-Life Balance of Auto Rickshaw Drivers in
Mumbai (MH)
- This study examines the relation between work-life balance and quality of life among auto rickshaw drivers in Mumbai.
CRITICAL APPRAISAL ON STUDY OF PARATRANSIT (AUTO-RICKSHAW) MODE OF URBAN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM UNDER MIX TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
- Identified problems regarding para-transit mode of urban transportation which are unorganized system, irregular system, lack of parking, congestion due to irregular movement of PTS.
Mapping of Health Related Risk Factors in Auto Rickshaw Drivers of Navi-Mumbai and Analysis of Posture using OWAS (Ovako Work Assessment System)
- Poor posture due to hours of slumped sitting, slouching in seats, twisting awkwardly and working without taking breaks.
Occupational Health Problems of the Auto Rickshaws Service Providers in Agartala City
- Musculoskeletal problem that comprises of Knee, Back, Wrist and Shoulder pain were the most common and frequently occurring among all age groups of the auto rickshaw service providers of the present study area.
Study to assess the socio-demographic profile, health status and working conditions of auto rikshaw drivers in Bhopal
- Health related issues like backache, neck pain and headache elucidates occupational health hazard in auto rickshaw drivers due to vibrations arising due to driving and sitting for prolonged hours while driving and waiting.
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Findings from literature review
Prevalence & risk factors of musculoskeletal impairments among auto-rickshaw drivers in a city of central India.
- Musculoskeletal impairments among auto-rickshaw drivers had a highly significant association with age of the driver, years of driving and age of the vehicle (correlating with poor ergonomics). The risk of having musculoskeletal discomfort rises with increase in the years of driving.
How: Observe and record behaviour within its context, without interfering with people’s activities.
Why: It is useful to see what people actually do within real contexts and time frames, rather than accept what they say they did after the fact.
fLY ON THE WALL
How: Tag along with people to observe and understand their
day-to-day routines, interactions, and contexts.
Why : This is a valuable way to reveal design opportunities and show how a product might affect or compliment users’ behaviour.
sHADOWING
How: Spend as much time as you can with people relevant to the design topic. Establish their trust in order to visit and/participate in their nautral habitat and witness specific activities.
Why : This is a good way to achieve a deep firsthand understanding of habits, rituals, natural language, and meanings around relevant activities and artifacts.
rAPID ETHNOGRAPHY
How: List or represent in detail all tasks, actions, objects, performers, and interactions involved in a process.
Why : This is a useful way to identify and prioritize which stakeholders to interview as well as which issues to address.
aCTIVITY aNALYSIS
How: Follow a planned shooting script and capture pictures of specific objects, activities, etc.
Why : The team can use this visual evidence to uncover patterns of behaviour and perceptions related to a particular product or context,
as well as structure and inspire design ideas.
sTILL-photO SURVEY
Primary Research
Research Methodology
IDEO Method Cards are a tool to showcase methods that we use to inspire great design and keep people at the center of our design process. Here, the following method cards are choosen that are relevant to objective and these will provide us with reference point of the same.
Field Visit
User study The people interviewed
The study was conducted on participants belonging to the city of Mumbai in Maharashtra. There were a total 18 number of participants who agreed to be interviewed and photographed for the purpose of this qualitative research.
Ramji Bhai
Ramnath Bind
Surendra Yadav
Amarnath Pal
Pyare Gupta
Sumit
Ramani
Vijay
Kallu
Manish Mishra
Seth
Bhagwaan Savant
Ram Verma
Shrikant
Surendra
Azaz
Mohan Gupta
Sajal Singh
One on one interviews
23 - 56 yrs
Age of users that were interviewed
14
Average years of experience as a driver
10 - 12 hr
Average working hours per day
15
Average number of rides per day
9am - 12pm
Busiest working hours in the day
Long waiting duration during rides
Fluctuating fuel prices
Sores on the palm
Pressure of loan payment
75%
Compromised family time
Passenger interference with meter
Back and neck problems
Praticipant users are aquianted to technology
Wish for further education
Handling multiple jobs in a day
Discomfort due to poor road conditions
50%
Of users rented
the Auto
Pain points disussed
50%
Of users own their auto on loan
100%
Of the users own a personal smart phone
All
Users complaint of fatigue due to long working hours
The questions asked were open ended to gain insight into user’s perceptions, understandings and experiences during the activity. During the interview its important to empathize with the community and help them feel heard which
is when the user will open up and feel free to share his/her experience.
After problem area identification, more targeted questions were asked in one on one interviews.
Fatigue, body ache
Passenger luggage
Jugaad for monsoon curtains
Not enough space for 3 adult passengers
Uncomfortable seating
Vehicle maintenance
Imply to changing rules and regulations
Compromised family time
Inability to customize
rented vehicle
Work multiple jobs
Increased usage of AC cabs
Turning multiple times to check the meter
Long hours of work
Carpel-tunnel prevalence
Getting less ride for the day
Meter monitoring
Meter tampering by passengers
Discomfort due to excessive vibration and noise
Interaction with meter
Manual parallel parking
Long waiting time in between rides
Fluctuating fuel prices
Poor resting position
Lack of storage space
Driver ingress
Passenger ingress
Excessive heat during summer
Navigation issues
Un-ergonomical meter position
Payment issues
Passenger refuses to pay meter amount displayed
Vacant ride spotting difficult for passengers
Neck pain due to unergonomical bending
Back pain due to uncomfortable and prolonged seating
Sores on the palm due to friction with handle grip
Knee problems due to long hours of sitting
Wrist pain due to repititive strain
Queue at the CNG station
Traffic conditions
Pressure of loan repayment
Financing the auto
Traffic fines
Auto Driver
Problem clustering
Daily routine Day shift
Wake up early in the morning
Leave for work
Get the auto. Clean and fuel it for the day
Start hailing the passengers
Lunch break
End of the shift
Return the auto
Return back home
6:00 am
8:00am
10:00am
2:00pm
7:00pm
Data analysis and Insights
User journey Auto driver
-Auto agency
-CNG gas station
-Food stall
-Parking space
-Mode of transport
(for personal commute)
-Auto stand
-Parking area
-Passenger
-Google maps
-Signages
-Traffic police
-Passenger
-Parking space
-CNG gas station
-Food stall
-Public washroom
-Passenger
-Payment medium
-Auto agency
-Parking space
-Payment medium
-Mode of transport
(for personal commute)
-Verifying documents at the auto agency
-Verifying the working status of the vehicle
-Long queue at the CNG station
-Fluctuating fuel costs
-Unable to spot food stalls in new locations
-Fine due to parking in not-permitted space
-Long waiting time to get the passenger
-Rejecting passengers due to shorter route
-Identifying abundant areas of passenger availability by memory
-Housing societies/institutions do not allow long time parking near the compound
-Might not remember the exact route to the destination, asks the passenger to guide with the same
Getting prepared for the day
-Traffic conditions during peak hours
-Passenger changes the destination in between the ride
-Bad quality of road in certain areas
-Asking the passenger to guide with the route
-Renting Auto
-Verifying status of the
rented auto
-Cleaning the auto
-Refueling
-Planning the day
-Tea and breakfast
-Unable to spot food stalls in new locaions
-Fine due to parking in not-permitted space
-Long queue at the CNG station
-Fluctuating fuel costs
-Passenger denies the meter reading
-Change of payment mode due to unavailability
-Verifying the vehicle at the auto agency
-Forgets to collect the belongings from the storage
-Unable to find parking permitted parking space
-Hailing passenger
-Waiting at the auto stand
-Look for areas where passengers are abundant
-Accept passengers coming along the way
-Start the meter
-Ask for desired destination
-Navigate from memory
-Ask from passenger
-Use google maps
-Check meter reading
-Collect payment
-Look for new passenger
-Find suitable time
-Park the auto
-Find nearby food stall
-Refueling if required
-Park the auto in safe and permitted location
-Return rented auto
-Collect the belongings
-Make rent payment
Looking for the passenger
Actions
Touch points
Pain points
Passenger on boarding
Driving to the destination
Passenger off boarding
Taking a break
Finishing the duty EOD
Copyright 2024 by Anumeha Patoria