PRE2023 1 Group3

Members

Name	Student Number	Study	e-mail	Roles (to be decided)
Wilbur van Lierop	1703870	Applied Mathematics	w.p.v.lierop@student.tue.nl
Quincy Salden	1749900	Applied Mathematics	q.salden@student.tue.nl
Jerome Bleyendaal	1483870	Electrical Engineering	j.bleyendaal@student.tue.nl
Jack Grunfeld	2064677	Exchange (software and Robotics engineering)	j.w.v.grunfeld@student.tue.nl

Objective | Problem Statement

The aim of this project is to create an interactive mapping solution tailored to the needs of TU/e (Eindhoven University of Technology) students, with a specific focus on first-year students and newcomers to the Eindhoven campus. The project aims to develop a user-friendly platform that provides essential information about campus facilities, including building locations, lecture rooms, study spots, bicycle parking, and more. This platform will also offer real-time updates and recommendations to enhance the overall campus experience.

Target user

1. First-Year Students:

• Orientation: First-year students are often new to both the university and the city. They may not be familiar with the layout of the campus, the locations of key facilities, or the services available to them.
• Needs: They require guidance and support to navigate the campus efficiently. They may also seek information about academic resources, extracurricular activities, and student services.
• Challenges: Finding lecture rooms, study spots, and other essential places can be challenging during the initial days. They may also face difficulties in understanding the campus culture and community.

2. Newcomers to Eindhoven:

• Orientation: new students are often new to both the university and the city. They may not be familiar with the layout of the campus, the locations of key facilities, or the services available to them.
• Integration: They are in the process of adapting to a new environment, which includes adjusting to the campus, city life, and local culture, seeking information around groups, extracurricular activities or student services, very required for student who have not been at TUe from first year which TUe puts on integration and orientation programs.

3. Diverse Backgrounds:

• International Students: TUe attracts a diverse student body, including international students. This diversity adds to the complexity of the target audience, as language and cultural differences may influence their needs and preferences.
• Varied Academic Disciplines: TUe offers a range of academic programs, each with its unique requirements and facilities. Understanding these variations is important when tailoring the solution.

Vision

- to develop a dynamic Application, which allows students to have clear and useful hub for information around campus, this includes:

• easy and accessible navigation
• frequent and reliable updates about on-campus amenities.
• information about Cafes/food/drink locations around campus.
• vital knowledge such as bathroom locations, tire pumps, water dispensers.
• access to social hub networks such as events, clubs and gatherings.
• information about study zones and busy timeframes.
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Key Features

• Real-Time Updates: Implement a dynamic system for real-time updates, including alerts for occupied bicycle parking areas, out-of-order coffee machines, and suggestions for available study spots.
• User Engagement: Encourage user engagement through features like reviews, ratings, and reporting mechanisms, fostering a sense of community among TUe students.
• Mobile Accessibility: Ensure that the interactive map is accessible via mobile devices, allowing students to use it conveniently on the go.
• Path finding: to have the ability to show the best route to locations around TUe. (Using A* search or Dijkstra's algorithm) .

Milestones | Time Frames

10/09/2023 | 18:00

- Update wiki with basic info about project

11/09/2023 | meeting

- Understanding Scope of Project, focus on First year students

- TODO:

• Make scope smaller, do research on USER based survey and questions
• Pick a building/ Area to focus on.
• Each member come up with 10 questions before 13th.

Research/findings

USEFUL Application:

• https://www.mazemap.com/
• https://maps.syracuse.edu/?id=1275#!ct/48860,43018,42873,34415,34413,34416,38441,38498,38500,38611,38612,38613,38617,53074,53075,57269?s/

User portfolio

Common problems first-year students and newcomers experience at the TU/e experience are for example:

-       Underestimating walking times from one building to another -> In general it is very stressful being late for your lectures due to not being able to find the right room or underestimating the time required to get from one place to the room. Especially at time of exams, being late can have negative consequences.

-       Bicycle parking in front of Atlas is always full, making it difficult to get your bike out of the racks. Many students do not know where to find alternative parking’s.

-       Finding the stairs and elevators in particular buildings.

-       Parking your car at TU/e, finding a spot at around 11:00 can sometimes take over fifteen minutes.

-       Finding a good study spot without reservation can be a pain, especially finding a spot where you can sit with a couple of friends.

-       Irregular building opening hours.

-       Long lines at cafeteria's like Subway during lunch break and coffee machines in brakes of lectures.

-       Events taking place, e.g. career expo in Auditorium -> Subway is closed, not really pleasant to study there.

-       Presence of AED machines, first-aid kits, fire extinguishers in case of emergency.

-       Gender-neutral restrooms.

-       Ping-pong equipment for the ping pong tables.

-       Parking for people with a disability.