The Impact of railway station interiors on user usability case study of Colombo railway stations

Abstract

This research investigates the usability of railway station interiors in Colombo, specifically focusing on Colombo Fort, Maradana, and Slave Island. Using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and questionnaires, the study assesses the impact of main four areas in a railway station (core area, peripheral area, transition area and administrative area) on both passengers and staff. The methodology involves distributing detailed questionnaires to gather insights on layout design, lighting, furniture, accessibility, and maintenance. The findings reveal significant usability issues, with poor scores indicating a need for modernization. The results highlight that both passengers and staff experience considerable challenges in these areas, underscoring the necessity for improvements to enhance overall usability and operational efficiency.