Transparent displays in public transport: a field evaluation of utility, usability, user experience and comfort

Abstract

The accessibility of reliable travel information is a growing challenge in public transport as vehicles become increasingly automated and staff presence decreases. Transparent displays, integrated directly into windows, offer a novel way to present information in passengers’ natural line of sight. This study reports on a real-world field evaluation (N = 69) of such a system in a regional train, focusing on three dimensions: utility of displayed content, usability in terms of ergonomics and readability and passenger experience including comfort and technology acceptance. Results show that bright backgrounds and snow reduced legibility, while dusk and night-time improved Reading Performance. Despite these challenges, participants valued the novelty and relevance of the content and Overall Passenger Comfort was not negatively affected. Visual Reading Comfort improved with higher contrast conditions. Recommendations include automated contrast adjustment and optimised display placement. The study provides real-world evidence to guide ergonomic design and user experience standards.