Puget Sound Trip Planner
Redesigning the trip planning app for the Puget Sound area.
Project Overview
Puget Sound Trip Planner is a public transit app that allows users to plan trips, locate bus stops, and view arrival times within the Puget Sound region. My goal was to find out what kind of problems the app was facing and then work with the team to propose changes that would improve the app's popularity, usability, and rating.
Role
User Researcher
Timeline
2-Week Sprint
Tools
kardSort, Google Surveys
Process
Discovery, Exploration, Testing
The Problem
For people who take public bus transit, the main concern is with the accuracy and reliability of arrival times. Regular commuters need reliable information on their bus routes because they become frustrated if they are unable to tell when their bus arrives.
The Solution
We believe implementing an instantaneous bus tracking feature in the app which displays accurate and reliable information will create a pleasant commuting experience.
Competitive Analysis
I conducted competitive analysis to see how Trip Planner fares against other trip planning apps. I discovered Trip Planner has nothing in common with other apps but has an unique alerts feature that provides real-time information when bus routes are changed due to weather, road work, etc.
User Surveys
I sent out surveys to understand our user's needs and pain points. The surveys also asked what were important factors when using a transit app. I discovered the majority of users prioritized reliabiliy, real-time information, and map availability.
Affinity Mapping
I asked commuters around bus stops and public places during peak hours, asking them if they used the current app, and if not, what transit app they use as well as what they want to see in transportation apps. I discovered through affinity mapping that users prioritized reliability, real-time information, and presentation.
Persona Development
I created two different personas who encapsulate the public commuter's behaviors, motivations, needs, and pain points. Madison Maley and George Lambert represent the different type of public transit rider.
User Stories
I drafted two different user stories that aligned with the most common responses from the feedback we received. This exercise would help our team ideate and arrive at the optimal solution for each problem.
Card Sorting
I conducted a closed card sorting activity to determine how to restructure the content for the redesigned app. From the responses I received, I organized the content based on the most popular groupings.
Information Architecture
Based on the results of the card sort and the user stories, I created an infomation architecture diagram to help define the new site map and the general actions user would take when using the app.
Wireframes
Our interaction designer created the wireframes based on designs and sketches of existing trip planning apps. The redesign includes features and characteristics that our model users want to see such as easy navigation and reliable information.
High Fidelity Screens
Our interaction designer created high fidelity screens from design system components. In addition, we used the colors in the current app for the redesign in order to keep its identity.