Title: Towards an enhanced user experience with critical system interfaces in middle-eastern countries: a case study of usability evaluation of Saudi Arabia's weather interface system (Arsad)

Authors: Abdulrahman Khamaj

Addresses: Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: Accessibility of weather forecasts is well adopted by the public in Western countries. However, in Saudi Arabia (KSA), the utilisation of weather forecasts for administering safety precautions and planning daily activities is still not at an acceptable level due to the lack of easily accessible weather platforms. Recently, the Saudi Presidency of Meteorology and Environment has launched the first governmental smartphone weather application, Arsad. However, the usability of the Arsad system's interface design is still unknown. Through user testing and a questionnaire, this study examined all Arsad's embedded features and design aspects. The analyses highlighted several usability issues and recommendations to be considered in the redesign phases. This research will contribute to the usability body of knowledge of weather interface systems, as well as offer opportunities for users and providers to work together to enhance the accessibility and usability of weather system interfaces in KSA and other middle-eastern countries.

Keywords: smartphone applications; usability; weather forecasts; user experience.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2022.124943

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2022 Vol.68 No.3, pp.235 - 241

Received: 22 Apr 2021
Accepted: 21 May 2021
Published online: 18 Aug 2022 *

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