Trip EASY

Project Overview

A Bus App developed for the transit system in Mid Western Metropolitan Area.
Numerous bus lines have been added to the transit system and many of these
buses stop at the Washington & State. Riders want to know when the next bus
is arriving at the stop and how much time they have to get to the stop

method

The Double Diamond Process allows a designer to communicate their thinking and share their ideas through an iterative process. The problem is just as important as the solution and by using this technique we are not only problem solving, but problem finding as well.

SWOT ANALYSIS- APP MOOV IT

A quick analysis was done on the app MOOV IT, to gain insight on what existed and what is being done so far in terms of navigation apps.

User Survey

Majority of 19-35 year old’s use public transportation to commute to work/school or for social outings and meeting friends
Inadequate time management and not being informed of schedule change is the reason most people miss their vehicle
Lack of offline functionality or limited offline map and high battery usage is a pain point
The majority of individuals typically arrange their travels on the same day.
Google Maps is the most used app

User Interviews

User’s anxiety levels depends on how often the bus runs on a stop
Those who are prone to anxiety will plan ahead of time. This is contingent upon where you live- and how much access you have to the bus service
Most user’s top three feature priority :
- Real Time Bus Tracking- not distance of bus but which stop it is at
- Bus Route and Schedule/Delay Information
- Near by Stops and Maps

After conducting user survey’s and interviews, I moved forward with creating a user persona and a user journey

By exploring the user persona Manuel's experience, I identified the pain points to be addressed in my app. The overarching theme is to furnish users with essential information about their bus route, enabling them to accommodate potential delays and offering notifications to alleviate any anxiety or stress.

User FLOW

High Priority User Stories:

As a bus rider, I want to know when my bus is arriving at the Washington and State bus stop, so I can calculate how much time I have to reach the bus stop.
As a bus rider, I want to know the next bus arriving at the Washington and State bus stop, so that I don’t rush to the bus stop if it is not my bus.
As a bus rider, I want the ability to view future arrival times for any of the bus lines (serving Washington & State), so that I know when my bus arrives.
As a bus rider, I want to be notified of any delays on the bus line/route

I crafted a wireframe for the bus app, meticulously considering four user flows. Mindful of main touchpoints, decisions, and interactions, I prioritized information and mapped out the connection between various screens. To ensure a seamless user experience, I drew inspiration from Google Maps, examining its flow and ease of navigation in transit apps.

WIRE FRAMES

LO-Fi PROTOTYPE

Style Guide

I developed a style guide inspired by Google Maps and iPhone Maps, opting for minimal colors with shades of blue and grays. Research indicates that blues have a calming effect, which is beneficial for users experiencing anxiety during travel. To enhance the real-life experience, I incorporated a moving bus icon for tracking purposes. Additionally, I utilized a grid system based on units of 8 for consistency.

Usability report

I tested the app with five different user’s and received the following feedback

Search destination and find the earliest bus taking you to your destination

User felt process was seamless

6 clicks to end goal
Real time Bus Icon are small/ hard to see

Check for notification and delays for bus

User had trouble finding notification symbols
Notification in pop up bubble is hard to tap- should not be limited to the notification icon- but to entire bubble
4 clicks to end goal

Find schedule for future bus line

User felt process was seamless

3 clicks to end goal
Icon’s in navigation bar can be thicker/bigger- can get lost in navigation

Overall, user’s felt the app was intuitive, seamless and simple to navigate. They were able to receive the information they wanted without having to spend too much time on it.

final prototype

Leveraging insights gathered from my usability report feedback, I meticulously refined my bus app prototype to successfully address all user goals. The app ensures users can effortlessly track their specific bus's arrival time at the Washington and State bus stop, allowing them to plan their commute more efficiently. Additionally, users can identify the upcoming bus, eliminating unnecessary rushes to the stop. The app further caters to users' needs by providing the ability to view future arrival times for all bus lines serving Washington and State, enhancing overall convenience. To enhance the user experience, the app incorporates notifications for any potential delays on the chosen bus line or route, ensuring a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for bus riders.v

💭💭💭💭

Reflecting on my user survey process, I acknowledge the room for improvement in crafting more insightful questions, aiming for depth rather than quantity. Seeking additional users for prototype testing revealed overlooked steps in my design, leading to necessary revisions for a more refined product. The interactive sessions with users proved enlightening, highlighting the significant impact their engagement has on the product's evolution and the valuable lessons derived from their experiences. Embracing the iterative nature of design, I recognize that the process is ongoing, allowing for continuous refinement and enhancement. The realization that design is a perpetual cycle of iteration encourages a dynamic and ever-improving approach to crafting meaningful user experiences.