Project snapshot

The Problem

The Department of Transport needed to develop an interactive website in support of the State Government’s latest transport infrastructure development program, Building For Tomorrow, which would centralise information around major construction projects and disruptions for residents across WA.

The Approach

Equilibrium worked with multiple transport agencies to integrate real-time disruption data with key project information into the Building For Tomorrow website.

The Solution
Equilibrium designed a dynamic project mapping tool that WA residents could interact with to learn more about ongoing and upcoming transport development projects, as well as find alternative routes to complete their next journey around their local area.

INDUSTRY

Transport

PROJECT

Website redevelopment

SERVICES

Integrations
User Experience
User Interface Design
Development

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The Brief

Building For Tomorrow – the biggest transport infrastructure program in WA’s history

To build the Western Australian economy back up from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the McGowan Government has invested more than $6.5 billion dollars in Building For Tomorrow – the biggest transport infrastructure program in WA’s history.

From 2020-2022, approximately 80 rail, road, coastal, and cycling development projects across WA are planned for construction. In addition to expanding and upgrading the state’s transport network, Building For Tomorrow is set to generate thousands of local jobs.

To build awareness of the government’s new transport strategy and inform residents of how ongoing projects may impact their day-to-day commute, the Department of Transport (DoT) commissioned Equilibrium to deliver an integrated communications campaign and website.

Having worked with DoT previously, Equilibrium was selected for its proven methodology, robust processes, and customer-centric approach to website strategy and development.

With a tight project turnaround of just three months, Equilibrium was well-placed to rapidly design and deliver a bespoke website that would spearhead the official launch of Building For Tomorrow.

The Problem

Centralising transport project information for WA residents

The Building For Tomorrow website needed to be more than just a communications asset: it also needed to be a useful tool that residents could use to plan their route around construction projects.

In the past, most commuters and visitors to Perth would typically visit the Transperth and Main Roads websites to find out more about transport development projects and disruptions.

However, preliminary customer research conducted by DoT had shown that:

There is poor general awareness of construction projects
There is scepticism around the reported economic benefits of new works
There is negative sentiment regarding the lack of detailed and timely information about projects

To overcome these communications barriers and provide a more cohesive and user-friendly solution for residents to view key project information and disruptions, DoT wanted to develop an “Interactive Project Map” to be featured on the website.

As we had a range of different content types - projects, news and project map results card - we felt it was important to use a system of icons and colour coding to help link content related to specific project types throughout the website. As much of the content was data-based, we presented result and project cards, and project information in general in a consistent, structured way for easier consumption. This also helped with the project map feature that also had a range of disruption types.

Ben McGuiness, UX Design Lead

The Approach

Harnessing cross-departmental data and insights to drive an integrated website strategy

To create an integrated website that would reflect Perth’s evolving transport system, Equilibrium needed to get a deeper insight into the way each of WA’s transport agencies worked and the digital systems behind them.

Taking a human-centre design approach, Equilibrium combined existing customer research with insights gathered from key stakeholders from Main Roads, The Public Transport Authority, Metronet, Transperth, and DoT.

From building out the website’s wireframes to designing the user experience and project map interface, Equilibrium facilitated cross-departmental knowledge sharing and collaboration to create a website solution that satisfied both business and customer needs.

Integrating with multiple systems can be a real challenge. Thankfully, the team at Department of Transport, Main Roads and PTA were highly collaborative and engaged throughout the process and we were able to work through the technical challenges together.

Ryan Weber, Head of Account Services

Despite the challenges and launch delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic earlier in the year, Equilibrium used the months in between to make refinements to the website and maintain communication with all stakeholders.

Following the successful launch of the Building For Tomorrow campaign and website, Equilibrium equipped DoT’s TIC team with the tools and training they needed to manage and update the website with timely information.

Since going live, Equilibrium continues to provide support and maintenance for the website through its Performance Partnership with DoT.

It’s been exciting to work on a project that leverages data to communicate a story of positive change and economic benefits. We’re proud of the result and hope the people of Perth get value out of the website.