The Caltrain Connection Booth
INTERVENTION DESIGNER, DOCUMENTARY DIRECTOR & EDITOR
The Intervention
Tasked to design a product for the Caltrain in 6 weeks, our team decided to serve elderly train riders. We had dozens of in-depth conversations to learn about our users' problems, and while their physical limitations were mentioned, we singled out a more silent killer: the elderly's need to belong.
Connections are Crucial
Positive personal connections are vital to the health of elderly people. Navigating a sea of young poker faces in noise-canceling headphones, the Caltrain can feel isolating and socially demotivating for older passengers. This is amplified by an individualist culture in the U.S. where elderly are often labeled as burdensome, in contrast to collectivist traditions in the East which celebrate elderly wisdom. We set out to design a Caltrain experience that helps them feel respected and understood.
Several Prototype Iterations
Backed by psychological literature about social belonging interventions, our team tested countless prototypes. Among the top contenders were a spotlight campaign highlighting the elderly’s contributions to the community, a storytelling car designed to foster mutual respect, and a helper seat inspired by exit-row volunteers. Most effective was the hybrid solution—a connection booth.
Final Prototype & Documentary
Across 10 in-depth tests of the connection booth, we exhibited the psychological power of just a few candles and a tablecloth. Elderly riders made personal connections, shared laughs, and one man even received a job offer.
Fortunately, each car has a few special booths with tables and extra legroom, which we easily transformed into Connection Booths. Designed to be self-sustaining, the booths naturally attracted riders—especially elderly passengers—curious about their formality. One man joked that he “couldn't let this guy be on a date with himself.”
The documentary includes highlights from a 2-hour journey on the Caltrain. As riders freely sat down in the booth, we would explain a little about the booth and ask to record. I shot and directed this film, editing it on Premiere.
Complete Presentation
Check out these slides for an in-depth explanation of our intervention.
The Intervention
Tasked to design a product for the Caltrain in 6 weeks, our team decided to serve elderly train riders. We had dozens of in-depth conversations to learn about our users' problems, and while their physical limitations were mentioned, we singled out a more silent killer: the elderly's need to belong.
Connections are Crucial
Positive personal connections are vital to the health of elderly people. Navigating a sea of young poker faces in noise-canceling headphones, the Caltrain can feel isolating and socially demotivating for older passengers. This is amplified by an individualist culture in the U.S. where elderly are often labeled as burdensome, in contrast to collectivist traditions in the East which celebrate elderly wisdom. We set out to design a Caltrain experience that helps them feel respected and understood.
Several Prototype Iterations
Backed by psychological literature about social belonging interventions, our team tested countless prototypes. Among the top contenders were a spotlight campaign highlighting the elderly’s contributions to the community, a storytelling car designed to foster mutual respect, and a helper seat inspired by exit-row volunteers. Most effective was the hybrid solution—a connection booth.
Final Prototype & Documentary
Across 10 in-depth tests of the connection booth, we exhibited the psychological power of just a few candles and a tablecloth. Elderly riders made personal connections, shared laughs, and one man even received a job offer.
Fortunately, each car has a few special booths with tables and extra legroom, which we easily transformed into Connection Booths. Designed to be self-sustaining, the booths naturally attracted riders—especially elderly passengers—curious about their formality. One man joked that he “couldn't let this guy be on a date with himself.”
The documentary includes highlights from a 2-hour journey on the Caltrain. As riders freely sat down in the booth, we would explain a little about the booth and ask to record. I shot and directed this film, editing it on Premiere.
Complete Presentation
Check out these slides for an in-depth explanation of our intervention.
The Intervention
Tasked to design a product for the Caltrain in 6 weeks, our team decided to serve elderly train riders. We had dozens of in-depth conversations to learn about our users' problems, and while their physical limitations were mentioned, we singled out a more silent killer: the elderly's need to belong.
Connections are Crucial
Positive personal connections are vital to the health of elderly people. Navigating a sea of young poker faces in noise-canceling headphones, the Caltrain can feel isolating and socially demotivating for older passengers. This is amplified by an individualist culture in the U.S. where elderly are often labeled as burdensome, in contrast to collectivist traditions in the East which celebrate elderly wisdom. We set out to design a Caltrain experience that helps them feel respected and understood.
Several Prototype Iterations
Backed by psychological literature about social belonging interventions, our team tested countless prototypes. Among the top contenders were a spotlight campaign highlighting the elderly’s contributions to the community, a storytelling car designed to foster mutual respect, and a helper seat inspired by exit-row volunteers. Most effective was the hybrid solution—a connection booth.
Final Prototype & Documentary
Across 10 in-depth tests of the connection booth, we exhibited the psychological power of just a few candles and a tablecloth. Elderly riders made personal connections, shared laughs, and one man even received a job offer.
Fortunately, each car has a few special booths with tables and extra legroom, which we easily transformed into Connection Booths. Designed to be self-sustaining, the booths naturally attracted riders—especially elderly passengers—curious about their formality. One man joked that he “couldn't let this guy be on a date with himself.”
The documentary includes highlights from a 2-hour journey on the Caltrain. As riders freely sat down in the booth, we would explain a little about the booth and ask to record. I shot and directed this film, editing it on Premiere.
Complete Presentation
Check out these slides for an in-depth explanation of our intervention.
