Interactive media and time assessment: How an openpose-based screen affects people’s perceived time and experience

Interactive media has demonstrated potential in reducing perceived waiting times and enhancing user experiences across various public contexts. However, its specific effects within traffic environments remain unexplored. This study investigated how different forms of visual media influence individuals' perceived screen effectiveness and perceived waiting time during red-light waiting periods. A within-subjects experiment (N = 44, aged 18–35, gender-balanced) compared the same screen under three different conditions: static condition, linear condition, and interactive condition. Participants estimated their perceived waiting time and reported their perceived screen effectiveness after experienced each condition. The results revealed that the screen under OpenPose-based interactive condition significantly shortened participants' perceived waiting time compared with both the static and linear conditions. Moreover, participants using the screen with interactive condition showed better perceived screen effectiveness, for example, higher levels of engagement and pleasure while reducing boredom and anxiety. Furthermore, higher ratings of negative perceived screen effectiveness were associated with longer perceived waiting times. These findings suggest that embodied interactivity, enabled by OpenPose-based technology, can meaningfully alter subjective time perception and emotional experiences in everyday waiting scenarios. This study extends the application of interactive media to traffic contexts and provides empirical evidence for the potential of embodied interaction design in improving public experience and environmental perception.