Designing a User-Centred Mobility Solution for Brampton
Project Overview
Enhancing Transit User Experience for Brampton, Canada
Created for Bramhacks (hackathon) 2024, whose theme included sustainability, accessibility, equity & efficiency, this project aimed to improve Brampton Transit by making it smarter, safer, and more inclusive. Collaborating as a multidisciplinary team of UI/UX designers, developers, and marketers, we designed a hardware, software, and design solution focused on reducing environmental impact, enhancing mobility, and ensuring accessibility for all.
Process Overview:
Project Overview
Enhancing Transit User Experience for Brampton, Canada
Created for Bramhacks (hackathon) 2024, whose theme included sustainability, accessibility, equity & efficiency, this project aimed to improve Brampton Transit by making it smarter, safer, and more inclusive. Collaborating as a multidisciplinary team of UI/UX designers, developers, and marketers, we designed a hardware, software, and design solution focused on reducing environmental impact, enhancing mobility, and ensuring accessibility for all.
Project Type
Digital Design
Hackathon Project
Tools Used
Figma (Prototype Design)
Claude.ai & ChatGPT (Data Collection & Visualization)
Slack (Communication)
Miro Board (Brainstorm)
Canva (Presentation)
Duration
3 days
Team
Team of 5
Aksha - UX/UI
Sudershan - Marketing
Divine, Ruchish, Ekene - API Development
Problem Definition
Amanda's journey to catch a Brampton Transit bus on time
Amanda is a 26 years old Brampton resident who is a regular public transport user, but unfortunately lives far away from the GO station.
On 7th November 2024, Amanda had to travel to Downtown Toronto, in the morning, for an important meeting
She waited at the bus stop for an hour in the cold, till she Googled for info
Unfortunately, Brampton Transport was on strike & she wasn't aware about it!
She finally took an Uber,
but paid 55 CAD for it!
Addressing Transit Delays, Accessibility Gaps, and Communication Breakdowns
Just like Amanda, other Brampton Transit riders usually face frequent delays, limited routes, and inadequate communication, making daily commutes inefficient and frustrating. 43.5% of 23 surveyed users stated they still prefer to use cars, a lesser sustainable option. The lack of accessibility further limits equitable transit options, highlighting the need for a more reliable and inclusive transportation system.
Addressing Transit Delays, Accessibility Gaps, and Communication Breakdowns
Along with Amanda, other Brampton Transit riders usually face frequent delays, limited routes, and inadequate communication, making daily commutes inefficient and frustrating. 43.5% of 23 surveyed users stated they still prefer to use cars, a lesser sustainable option. The lack of accessibility further limits equitable transit options, highlighting the need for a more reliable and inclusive transportation system.
Solution
How do we help users like Amanda?
After 2.5 days of problem-solving, our team came up with a 3-part solution in the form of Streamride, a mobile app design ensuring user painpoints & needs were met, while keeping true to the theme of making Brampton Transit sustainable, equitable, efficient and accessible.
New Bus Routes Demand
Carbon Emission Tracking
Rapid Alert System
3 Features of the Streamride App
Proposed Solutions
Point System
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Tap in, tap off in Brampton Transit
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Calculates distance traveled
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Calculates CO2 footprint for each user
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Each user awarded points for certain traveled distances
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Points will earn them free rides on weekends (or discounted rides!)
Solution 2: Efficiency
Alert System
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Continuous alert notifications available on app
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Users can request to add a new alert
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Notifies everyone using the app over WIFI and offline text messages
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The feature can improve BT's efficiency, and ensures everyone gets the information on time or awareness can be raised on time.
Request More Transit Stops
Add a request for a transit stop in your area
Ensure location on mobile is enabled
Design Methodology
The process of solving Amanda's problem
In 2.5 days, we did some quick brainstorming sessions to come up with various ideas that could solve user problems. We then conducted a competitive analysis to understand how well the app would work in the market. Once, the solutions were set in place, we came up with a quick UI kit, and moved on to the prototyping stage.
Brainstorming Ideas
Final UI Styleguide
The color yellow was chosen & was inspired by the brand color from City of Brampton's logo, the ROSE.
Using LogoDesign.ai, we came up with a simple, fun logo that inspired rewards, games and positivity (positive reinforcement).
Since a lot of functionalities were involved, we decided to keep the app design minimal, to avoid any form of information or design overload.
Prototyping
Testing out the prototypes
We quickly sketched paper prototypes before moving to a high-fidelity one due to the short timeline.
Usability Testing & Feedback
Notify users of offers going on in the area they are traveling in
Add more rewards to encourage users
Notify users about crowded buses (TAP IN)
Add alerts when stops are arriving, as this will be helpful for target audiences like the elderly
Insights
Key Takeaways
01
Working with 4 other randomly assigned team members during this hackathon was very interesting, as we all had limited time to get to bond and know one another, and understand each others' skillsets.
02
Coming up with a solution & working prototype in 2.5 days was pretty challenging, especially since we had to skim through each step of the design process rather quickly.
03
Since I'm still new to Canada and am slowly learning about the systems that work here, for example the transport system, understanding all the problems in a short span of time was challenging! But luckily, the problems were relatable, since we all faced it, so I managed to learn quickly too!