The Bus App
My Bus Transportation App is a mobile tool for planning bus journeys, checking schedules, and offering real-time updates on bus locations and arrivals. By integrating APIs and focusing on user-friendly design, the app delivers a smooth and reliable travel experience for users.
The Challenge
Key challenges included seamless data integration, user-friendly design, real-time updates, efficient mapping, performance optimization, security measures, platform compatibility, accessibility, testing, and user feedback-driven improvements, all contributing to an exceptional user-centric transportation solution.
“The People just want to know when the Bus is coming, i don’t think there’s way to say it more simply”
The Audience
My portfolio, focusing on the transportation app project, targets potential employers, tech recruiters, clients in transportation and app development, and design peers interested in user experience and front-end development
Process
Research
Strategy
Overview
Research
Competitive Analysis
UX Researcher, UX Designer, and UI Designer for Bus Transportation App (Simplified Ticket Purchase)
Competitors:
Google maps
- Ticket purchase process: Multi-step with multiple form fields and payment options.
- User Interface: Visually appealing, but some users find it cluttered and overwhelming.
- User Experience: Overall positive, but the ticket purchase process is considered time-consuming.
Transit
- Ticket purchase process: Single-step, straightforward with predefined payment methods.
- User Interface: Simple and clean design, easy to navigate.
- User Experience: Users appreciate the quick ticket purchase process.
Uber
- Ticket purchase process: Multi-step with detailed customization options.
- User Interface: Modern and elegant design, but some users find it confusing.
- User Experience: Mixed reviews due to the complexity of ticket purchase steps.
Key Differentiator
Our bus transportation app distinguishes itself through a streamlined one-step ticket purchase process, integrating the roles of UX Researcher, UX Designer, and UI Designer for an intuitive, user-friendly experience.
Unique Features:
One-Step Purchase: Simplifies ticket buying, saving time and effort.
Intuitive Interface: User-centered design with clear cues.
Smart Payments: Quick checkout options.
Personalization: Tailors frequent routes and favorite seats.
Competitive Advantages:
App A focuses on visuals but lacks efficiency.
App B's one-step process, but may lack visual appeal.
App C's customization can be overwhelming for quick purchases.
Strategy
Key Takeaways From User Research
In conclusion, my research revealed the following insights:
#1 Knowing when the bus will be arriving is the most important thing
#2 Both early and late buses, but especially early buses, ruin an experience
#3 Users would like to know when the next bus is arriving
#4 Users want an app that knows their usual bus routes and will show them information related to it right away
Persona
Name: Austin Smith
Background: Customer service representative in a busy urban area, high school diploma, online courses in web development.
Goals: Simplify daily commute, stay updated on transportation tech, provide feedback, collaborate, find ease in daily transit.
Challenges: Manage commuting stress, handle disruptions, balance life, seek reliability, find relaxation.
Traits: Adaptable, empathetic, feedback-oriented, problem solver, open to learning.
Quote: "My daily journey begins and ends with public transportation. I aim for a smooth, enjoyable experience, finding opportunities to connect, learn, and appreciate well-designed transit."
User Flow
My Role: UX Research | UX Design | UI Design
My Responsibility
Research: In-depth audience research for insights.
Wireframes & Prototypes: Develop intuitive interfaces.
Collaboration & Iteration: Frequent refinement.
Transportation App: User-friendly, efficient, and delightful.
The Solution
In the Thinkful Bootcamp Bus Transportation App Project, I prioritized user experience through research, real-time updates, accessibility, security, and iterative improvements.
Method of Research
- User Interviews: Gather insights from one-on-one interviews with potential users.
- Surveys: Collect quantitative data and feedback through online surveys.
- Persona Creation: Develop user personas based on research data.
- Competitive Analysis: Evaluate existing transportation apps for best practices and improvements.
- User Journey Mapping: Map the user's journey and identify key touch points.
- Card Sorting: Organize information and features with user involvement.
- Prototyping and Usability Testing: Test interactive prototypes with real users.
- A/B Testing: Compare design variations for effectiveness.
- Analytics and Heatmaps: Analyze app usage data and heatmaps.
- Field Studies and Observations: Observe users in real-world transportation situations.
- Contextual Inquiry: Gather insights from direct user observations in their natural environments.
Statistical Analysis
85%
Use a weather app and/or social media app on a daily basis
40%
Take the bus to commute to work, school, or training
50%
Use the bus “everyday” or “often”
35%
Of these bus riders have a “somewhat regular” weekly schedule Monday through Friday
Percent of Populations
Lesson Learned
I realized in my quantitative research, that I made my questions a bit too wide in scope and focused too much on the user’s overall bus commuting experience rather than their experience using apps. I adjusted my questions for my 1-1 interviews to focus more specifically on a user’s behaviors, thoughts, and feelings about the apps they use on their commutes.
Site Map
Key Takeaways From User Research
In conclusion, my research revealed the following insights:
#1 Knowing when the bus will be arriving is the most important thing
#2 Both early and late buses, but especially early buses, ruin an experience
#3 Users would like to know when the next bus is arriving
#4 Users want an app that knows their usual bus routes and will show them information related to it right away
What I Learned
A live map was not a priority.
Brainstorm, quickly and frequently.
Document everything!
Low-Fidelity Wire Frames
After creating user stories, user flows, and a site map, I started sketching out low fidelity wireframes. I used the Four Ups method to jump start my brainstorming process and churn out quick iterations.
Digital Wireframes
Low-fidelity wireframes, minimal but effective, accelerate early testing and iteration, outlining core UI/UX elements. They're vital for rapid, flexible development, efficiently shaping the final product.
High-fidelity Prototype
High-fidelity wireframes offer detailed and refined design representations that expedite thorough testing and iteration, capturing the intricate user interface and experience elements. They play a critical role in creating a polished and final product efficiently.
User Stories
User Story 1: Streamlined Booking Meet Luke, a frequent traveler and a UX/UI designer. He finds our bus app's booking interface incredibly intuitive. Luke effortlessly selects his departure and arrival locations, chooses travel dates, and views available buses in a visually engaging manner. This seamless experience keeps him coming back.
User Story 2: Real-Time Route Tracking Sarah, a front-end developer and UX/UI designer, is highly impressed with our app's real-time route-tracking feature. She loves how it offers live bus locations and detailed stop information. Thanks to this, she can track her bus easily, ensuring she never misses her ride.
User Story 3: Accessibility Enhancement Lucas, a visually impaired user, appreciates our commitment to inclusivity. The app's adjustable font sizes, high contrast options, and screen reader compatibility allow him to navigate and use the app comfortably. Lucas now enjoys the same convenience as all other users.
Austin Smith
(User Of Public Transportation)
Business Requirements
Ensure that any rider can tell when each of the buses arrives at the Washington & State bus stop.
Ensure that all riders can tell how much time they have to get to the Washington & State bus stop before the bus they need arrives at that stop.
Allow riders to select one of seven bus lines to see a list of its future arrival times at the Washington & State bus stop.
Overview
75%
Are not intimidated when taking new bus routes
40%
Of these bus riders have a “very consistent” weekly schedule Monday through Friday