gor[b] Paul Gorbould: Words and Pictures

Commuting by Numbers: Streetcar Edition

(Today's entry is written by Vivian, who sometimes takes the same streetcar that I do, but takes it twice as far. Her data was originally posted as a comment in my last entry, but I think it merits its own post. I particularly enjoyed her methodology - I tend to be more discrete when counting, to avoid angry stares!)

OK, here are my results for this morning’s commute. I sat near the front of the streetcar, waited until it was quite full, then headed down the isle inventing a tallying system as I went. A few people looked concerned (it’s hard to hide the fact that your are observing people: you look up, look around, then look down to take notes, then look up again etc.), and one clever-looking woman who had been reading a paper game me a peculiarly penetrating and knowing look over the top of her glasses. I squirmed a bit, but forged on in support of this worthy cause!

Commuter: Vivian
Location: Downtown Toronto
Streetcar: 501 going East from the Beaches on Queen Street

SITTING (total of 60)

Reading a book: 8
Reading a paper: 5
Listening to iPod: 5
Listening to other MP3: 6
Doing nothing: 21
Talking to person beside them: 6
Talking on phone: 1
Doing important-looking work: 3
Knitting: 1
Sleeping: 2
Listening to MP3 while reading paper: 1
Staring piercingly at me over glasses: 1

STANDING (total of 48)

Reading book: 5
Reading paper: 5
Listening to iPod: 3
Listening to other MP3: 3
Doing nothing: 28
Talking: 2
Looking over my shoulder to see what I’m writing: 1
Counting passenger activity: 1

Thanks again, Vivian!