No More Circling Around the Block: An Ethnographic Study of Parking to Inform the Design of Innovative Parking Services

After many years with little innovation in parking technology, many cities are now exploring new systems meant to improve the use of limited parking real estate, increase parking convenience, and raise additional revenue. Ellen and James did an observational study to inform the design of one such novel parking system, and in doing so developed an ethnographic method called REACT (Rapid Ethnographic Assessment and Communication Technique).

REACT uses observational methods to uncover key findings relatively quickly and increases the impact of those findings by communicating them through a compelling video podcast. Learn about the REACT method and how it uncovered several key findings regarding parking practices. See snippets of parking video podcasts and hear how they were extremely well received and ultimately affected the thinking of many more people beyond their originally intended audience.