Comment: User focused design software

17/08/2023 | SIMON MORGAN

A 20mph default speed limit will be introduced in Welsh urban areas on 17 September. SignPlot software from Buchanan Computing is the first system to cater for the change. Executive chairman, Simon Morgan, discusses how the user's journey is at the heart of the software's development.

With much computer software, people feel they are fighting it when they should be aided by it. Rather than increasing their job satisfaction and productivity and creating output to be proud of, they feel frustrated and limited by it.

At Buchanan Computing we have always been aware of this phenomenon and have gone to great lengths to avoid it. We not only want software users to feel empowered by the systems but also to be involved in product development in a meaningful way.

SignPlot includes the new dragon plate (pictured below - image from Buchanan Computing) as a vector graphic symbol accurate enough for sign manufacture. This symbol is closely based on the winning design in a competition for school children, judged by Margaret Calvert, OBE the co-designer of the UK’s system of traffic signs.

We have learned that people soon get used to the quirks and minor inconsistencies of systems they use regularly, to the point where they don’t even notice them.

To eliminate these issues, one needs to observe totally new users and see what actions they attempt and to ask them what they found intuitive and what they didn’t.

This is something we have been doing at Buchanan Computing for many years. Our training team makes detailed notes of the user experience they observe and use this when participating in the design of new versions.

The other major source of input for new features is our programme of regular user group meetings. These were previously held in person in London, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Like everyone else, we moved to online meetings during the pandemic and have not gone back. But we do host live ‘Special interest groups’ for some systems to provide a more intensive focus on particular tasks and forthcoming national changes.

For several decades, these user groups have been the focus of our enhancement programme. At every meeting, the latest ‘wish list’ is produced, with participants encouraged to add to it. We then have a vote on every item to prioritise which would be of interest to the greatest number of people.

But sometimes we end up implementing them nearly all anyway, and we take care to avoid neglecting improvements that are relevant only to a subset of users: sign manufacturers or those following different requirements in Wales, for example.

The recent new releases of version 3.8 of SignPlot and SignLoad, our traffic sign face and structural design software are prime examples of this approach.

Over the years we have observed many areas where we can help those new to sign design to learn both the software and the Department for Transport’s design rules more quickly.

Guidance given based on new users' experiences in SignPlot - picture from Buchanan Computing

Some things we automated, like getting the right version of the alphabet (Transport Heavy or Transport Medium). But for others, we have added hint messages for things we observed people getting wrong, from spelling errors to confusion between ‘panels’ and ‘patches’.

At a recent training course in Edinburgh, we had observed that direction signs to hospitals were a particular problem, the rules for these in the signs regulations (Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions - TSRDG) being far from obvious. As well as needing a separate patch under or beside the H symbol showing whether or not there are A&E or UTC (urgent treatment centre) facilities, there was the need to specify whether the symbol needed the thin white border used on dark-coloured backgrounds.

These problems were fed to the design team who came up with a solution: a mixture of further automation and hint messages that offer to place the correct combination of symbols if the wrong one is detected.

As well as issues connected with the correct use of TSRGD, we have picked up in the latest version issues concerned with the use of the software, such as a reminder to copy work into a new file for a new project and an offer to weed out superseded information when a file is getting full.

We have always been assiduous in supporting users in Wales with their particular requirements, and both our SignPlot and ParkMap products produce fully bilingual output for signs and order documents respectively.

Wherever possible, the translation is automatic to improve consistency and to help those not fluent in Welsh.

The latest version of SignPlot, therefore, has all the new signs needed for the forthcoming TSRGD amendment for Wales, not surprising in view of our having used it to assist the Welsh Government in creating the graphics for this statutory instrument.

Last year, we helped Transport Scotland in a similar way with their TSRGD changes.

Our user-centred approach means our partners are enthusiastic about helping us make further enhancements, feel satisfaction when they see suggestions they have made implemented and are always ready to praise and recommend the products and services.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW