INVESTIGATING EXPERIENTIAL GRAPHIC USER INTERFACE OF SMART CITYENABLED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN LAGOS, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52326/jss.utm.2026.9(2).06Keywords:
Graphic User Interface, Information and Communication Technology, Smart city, Transportation System, Visual CuesAbstract
Smart cities leverage information and communication technology to boost operational efficiency, disseminate information to the public, and enhance the quality of government services and the welfare of citizens. Smart transportation is largely anchored in digital devices, which are heavily driven by visual elements. These visual cues include icons, illustrations, colours, typographic contents, menu bars, grids, spacing, animation, avatars, visual selectors, interactive maps, and other visual indicators. The appropriate use of visual cues determines the usability of these technological platforms. This study examines the graphic visual components that comprise the user interface-driven tools enabling the smart city transportation system in Lagos, Nigeria. The research design employed is a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were collected through both primary and secondary sources. The results indicated that user interface tools (ride-sharing apps, traffic delivery reports, and wayfinding systems) are indeed deployed with varying degrees to enhance smart mobility in the Lagos metropolis. Finally, the deployment of the user interface tools needs to be fully optimized to achieve better results.
References
PROGRAMMING – GUI and RAD (n.d.) Graphical User Interface. Available online: https://www.aronhamukwaya.gitbooks.io/programming-gui-andrad/content/chapter_6_graphical_user_interface.html.
Norman, D. A. (2002) Emotion and design: Attractive things work better. Interactions, 9(4), 36–42. https://doi.org/10.1145/543434.543435.
Dixon, P. (2020) What Is Experiential Graphic Design? Available online: http://segd.org (accessed on 20.04.2021).
Jong, M., Joss, S., Schraven, D., Zhan, C., Weijnen, M. (2015) Sustainable–smart–resilient–low carbon–eco–knowledge cities: Making sense of a multitude of concepts promoting sustainable urbanization. Journal of Cleaner Production, 109, 25–36.
Shea, S., Burns, E. (2017) Smart City. Available online: https://internetofthingsagenda.techtarget.com (accessed on 20.09.2019).
Greco, I., Cresta, A. (2015) A smart planning for smart city: The concept of smart city as an opportunity to rethink the planning models of the contemporary city. Available online: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/300779930_A_Smart_Planning_for_Smart_City_The_Concept_of_Smart_City_as_an_Opportunity_to_Re-think_the_Planning_Models_of_the_Contemporary_City (accessed on 30.09.2019).
IESE Business School (2025) IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025. Available online: https://www.rinnovabili.it/wpcontent/uploads/2025/04/cities-in-motion-2025-.pdf (accessed on 23.09.2025).
Raji, R. (2018) Smart Lagos: Status, Prospects and Opportunities. Available online: https://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/smart-lagos-status-prospects-and-opportunities/61292/ (accessed on 21.07.2020).
Ajaja, T. (2018) Lagos committed to smart city project – Ambode. The Punch, 21 April 2018. Available online: https://punchng.com/lagos-committed-to-smart-city-project-ambode/ (accessed on 06.11.2022).
Bibri, S. E., Krogsitie, J., Arrholm, M. (2020) Compact city planning and development: Emerging practices and strategies for achieving the goals of sustainable development. Developments in the Built Environment, 4, 100021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2020.100021.
Bakibillah, A. S. M., Paw, Y. F., Kamal, M. A. S., Susilawati, S., Tan, C. P. (2021) An incentive-based dynamic ride-sharing system for smart cities. Smart Cities, 4, 532–547. https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities4020028.
Anthopoulos, L. G., Tzimos, D. N. (2021) Carpooling platforms as smart city projects: A bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review. Sustainability, 13, 10680. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910680.
Wang, Y. D., Emurian, H. H. (2005) An overview of online trust: Concepts, elements, and implications. Computers in Human Behavior, 21(1), 105–125.
Interaction Design Foundation (2021) What Is User Interface Design? Available online: https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/ui-design (accessed on 24.05.2022).
Stevens, E. (**2023**) *What Does a UI Designer Actually Do?* Available online: https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/ui-design/what-does-a-ui-designer-actually-do/ (accessed on 10.01.2024).
Babich, N. (**2020**) *What Is Graphical User Interface Design?* Available online: https://xd.adobe.com/ideas/process/ui-design/what-is-graphical-user-interface-design/ (accessed on 10.01.2022).
Gube, J. (2010) What is user experience design? Overview, tools and resources. Available online: https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/10/what-is-user-experience-design-overview-tools-andresources/ (accessed on 10.10.2015).
Jordan, P. (2000) Designing Pleasurable Products. New York: Taylor & Francis.
Mitropoulos, L., Kortsari, A., Ayfantopoulou, G. (2021) A systematic literature review of ride sharing platforms, user factors and barriers. European Transport Research Review, 13, 61. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12544-021-00522-1.
van Lierop, D., Soemers, J., Hoeke, L., Liu, G., Chen, Z., Ettema, D., Kruijf, J. (2020) Wayfinding for cycle highways: Assessing e-bike users' experiences with wayfinding along a cycle highway in the Netherlands. Journal of Transport Geography, 88, 102827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2020.102827.
Lai, F. H. S. (2014) Examining the functionality and usability of interactive wayfinding design within cities in China. In: Marcus, A. (Ed.), DUXU 2014, Part III, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 8519, 305–316
Miñano, S. P., Kirkwood, L., Court, S., Farnsworth, M., Orlovs, I., Shehab, E., Tinworth, N. (2017) A review of digital wayfinding technologies in the transportation industry. In: Gao, J., et al. (Eds.), Advances in Manufacturing Technology XXXI, 207–212. https://doi.org/10.3233/978-1-61499-792-4-207.
Ferri, A., Popp, M., Wulfhorst, G. (2021) Digital directions: Smartphone usage while performing wayfinding tasks in Munich’s public transit system. Interdisciplinary Journal of Signage and Wayfinding, 5(2), 7–21.
Ogunseye, N. O., Odufuwa, B. O., Kadiri, W. A. (2022) Smart cities initiatives in Lagos, Nigeria: Are there lessons to learn from the leading smart cities? Journal of Urban Research and Development, 3(1), 30–38.
Kumar, R. (2011) Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
Anagnostopoulos, T. (2021) A predictive vehicle ride-sharing recommendation system for smart cities commuting. Smart Cities, 4, 177–191. https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities4010010.
Helling, B. (2021) Rideshare: Definition, How It Works and the Best Rideshare Companies. Available online: https://www.ridester.com (accessed on 09.01.2022).
AutoJosh (2020) LATIS, Lagos Traffic System, Added to More Routes. Available online: https://autojosh.com/latis/ (accessed on 06.09.2022).
Parrot Nigeria (2018) Ambode Tackles Traffic Challenge Using Outdoor Advertising Solution. Available online: https://parrotnigeria.com (accessed on 06.09.2022).
Billboard Arena (2025) LED-Fadeyi Facing Lagos Island. Available online: https://www.billboardarena.ng (accessed on 23.09.2025).
BBC News (2012) Lagos mystery Gidi Traffic Tweeter reveals identity. 30 March 2012. Available online: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-17560636 (accessed on 06.11.2022).
Montello, D. R., Freundschuh, S. (2005) Cognition of geographic information. In: McMaster, R. B., Usery, E. L. (Eds.), A Research Agenda for Geographic Information Science. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 61–91.
Fewings, R. (2001) Wayfinding and airport terminal design. The Journal of Navigation, 54(2), 177–184.
Transport Day Online (2022) Comprehensive Guide on Road Signs in Nigeria. Available online: https://transportday.com.ng/guide-road-signs-meanings-nigeria/ (accessed on 10.10.2022).
Agwu, M. J. (2022) Naked road. Leadership Newspaper. Available online: https://leadership.ng/naked-road/ (accessed on 10.10.2022).
Akomolafe, J. (2021) Motorists want Lagos government to reverse one-way rule on Charity-Ladipo service lane. The Street Journal, 10 November 2021. Available online: https://thestreetjournal.org/motorists-wantlagos-government-to-reverse-one-way-rule-on-charity-ladipo-service-lane/ (accessed on 11.10.2022).
Olowogboyega, O. (2020) ORide, MAX.ng, Gokada and others banned from major areas in Lagos. TechCabal, 27 January 2020. Available online: https://techcabal.com/2020/01/27/oride-maxng-gokada-banned-inlagos/ (accessed on 11.10.2022).