ARIA Global Notes:
Redefining Collaboration in Legacy Systems
Enhancing team collaboration in ARIA ATMS by replacing legacy fragmented communication with centralized, timestamped logs and clear author attribution.
STAKEHOLDERS
Year
FEB 2024 - APR 2024
Role
UX DESIGNer
Deliverables
PROBLEM & High-stakes friction
A decade old system managing regional traffic signals, relied on an outdated text box for logging operational changes. Because notes lacked timestamps and author attribution, operators stopped using them.
Operational Blindspots:
Analysts couldn’t tell who made configuration changes or when.
Communication Breakdowns:
Teams resorted to endless email chains and verbal handoffs to track system updates.
Real-World Incident:
During a major intersection breakdown, Team A applied a temporary configuration fix and left an untimestamped note. Team B unknowingly overwrote the fix hours later, causing secondary traffic delays and team friction.
KEY USER INSIGHT
“When I change a traffic light’s timing, I don’t write it down because the current note section doesn’t show who added it or when. If something goes wrong, no one knows who to ask.”
The 3 Pillars of the Solution
FINAL SCREENS
Context-Aware Side Drawer: Zero Workflow Interruption
Designed as an ever present side overlay, Global Notes automatically maps logs to the operator’s current view—enabling rapid reference and seamless task continuation.
What went wrong & Iteration
challenge
Nested Layer Ambiguity Testing Insight: Early wireframes showed users were confused about which sub-level a note belonged to.
solution
Introduced hierarchical visual badges so users instantly know if a note applies to an entire intersection or a single signal phase.
challenge
Data Loss on Deleted Objects Testing Insight: Deleting a traffic signal schedule created orphaned data.
solution
Instead of purging notes, we preserved them in an “Orphaned Category” to maintain a complete historical paper trail for regional compliance.
