After discussing and mapping out mental models we decided to focus on the relationship and tensions between passengers. We assumed that by tackling the mental model „other passengers are ruining my trip“ we could inspire a paradigm shift in the environment. Then we took to the „rails“, travelling a total of 154km carrying two signs, one with the text „leave me alone“ and the other inviting passengers to share some chocolate with us, opening up the opportunity for conversation. Our ethnographic research consisted out of observation and qualitative interviews with passengers. In order to provide a level of objectivity we rotated our roles during this research.

During this experiment we noticed that the negative sign with the text "leave me alone" was able to disrupt the atmosphere and made them realize their own mental model. The invitation to share chocolate - even though it received good feedback - was not inspiring the passengers to think about their travel behaviour.
We all agree that there definitely is an opportunity to change the system through targeting the relationship between passengers and saw positive changes even only after a few hours of this small-scale disruption.