Service Design for Geospatial Data Utilization
SERVICE DESIGN, CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
At the Location intelligence for smart cities – Hackathon, we developed a digital service that leverages diverse geospatial data sources to enhance citizens’ lives. As part of the project, we also identified challenges and limitations associated with data utilization.
From Tie Design, Suvi and Sara participated, joined by interior designer and service designer Tiina Käyhkö.
The Challenge
Develop a solution that uses GeoE3 geospatial data to improve the value chain of asset, resource, and service management in a smart city. Geospatial data could be combined with any open data source to increase its value.
Challenges Posed by Road Construction Sites
We started by exploring the challenges of traffic and construction, which affect city residents’ daily lives. Through interviews and open questions on social media, we identified a significant issue: construction companies and organizations often lack awareness of each other’s projects and schedules. This results in streets being repeatedly dug up and closed for various installations, such as electricity, plumbing, or cables.
This disrupts the lives of locals and commuters, causing constant traffic interruptions, creating obstacles for cyclists and pedestrians, and contributing to noise, dust, and the carbon footprint of construction materials and work. Recognizing these challenges, we focused on designing a solution to address them.
Service Design Process: The Double Diamond Model
1. Exploration
- Analysis of publications and research on urban environment
- Review of news articles
- Open surveys on social media
2. Research
- Interviews with city residents, construction companies, and construction site workers
- Comparative analysis
3. Ideation
- Analysis of gathered data
- Initial prototype sketching
- UX design
- Subject expert consultations
4. Testing
- Testing the prototype using a customer story
- Concept development
5. Execution
- Creation of a pitch deck
- UI/UX design
- Production of a concept presentation video
Evaluation
- Feedback and development suggestions from the jury
The Concept
Our prototype, the ByTheWays Platform, facilitates better planning of construction sites by integrating and sharing construction project data among industry players and with city commuters.
ByTheWays streamlines construction projects by enabling data sharing between construction companies and city infrastructure managers, reducing the need for repetitive road closures. This not only lowers construction costs and material usage but also minimizes disruptions for city dwellers.
The service also benefits commuters by suggesting alternative routes and allowing them to contact construction site managers directly to address issues like safety concerns.
We utilized road and building data from the GeoE3 platform, enriched with building permit data from the City of Helsinki. Alongside the prototype, we drafted the service’s architecture.
Designers at the Hackathon
We involved experts from the construction and technology sectors, city employees, and residents. Judges and participants alike praised our problem identification and our user-focused approach to the solution.
Our team, with backgrounds in service design, UI/UX design, marketing, and construction, succeeded in reaching the concept stage. However, to build a functional prototype, we would have needed a data analyst and a full-stack developer.
Participants with development and technology expertise noted that design expertise is often missing in hackathons—and encouraged more designers to join!
Take the leap!
