UX/UI DESIGN
TrainTime
Overview
TrainTime simplifies ticket purchasing and train tracking on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad, providing a seamless experience for both new users and regular commuters.
The Problem 🤔
Commuters on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) face high costs, safety concerns, reliability issues, stress, and navigational confusion, highlighting the need for improvements in the service. How might we make a more streamlined travel experience for commuters?
The Solution 💡
We redesigned the app and added more features to be more user-friendly, accessible and convenient to provide a more seamless trip for all commuters
Process
Empathy Interviews
In our user interviews, we learned that commuters struggle with staying informed and connected during their journeys. Challenges like unclear announcements, navigating long routes, and juggling multiple apps for updates were common themes. These insights guided our focus on creating a more seamless and accessible commuting experience.
Competitive Analysis
We conducted a competitor analysis to identify strengths and gaps in existing navigation apps. While these apps offer essential features, none allow for in-app ticket purchasing—a key feature that sets TrainTime apart. As the official MTA app, TrainTime combines navigation and ticket purchasing, making it the go-to tool for New York commuters.
User Personas
User personas provided a clear understanding of our target audience, helping us design solutions that address the unique needs and challenges of different commuters.
POV & HMW
Affinity Mapping
Affinity mapping helped us identify key user pain points and patterns, guiding the development of features that address commuter needs effectively.
FEATURE 1
Seamless Navigation
Users can effortlessly navigate to any desired destination, enjoying the freedom to choose from a wide array of transportation options. They can benefit from detailed GPS navigation and real-time updates, ensuring a hassle-free and smooth travel experience. This integrated feature eliminates the hassle of switching between multiple apps and provides comprehensive directions.
FEATURE 2
Trip Sharing
Allows commuters to share their trip details, including real-time location, ETA, and delays, with selected contacts. It also offers a live activity widget, enabling both the commuter and their contacts to view the trip status directly from their lock screen, ensuring seamless updates and enhanced safety throughout the journey.
FEATURE 3
TrainTalk
TrainTalk provides commuters with clear, text-based announcements directly from conductors, ensuring vital updates like delays, track changes, or schedule adjustments are never missed. Additionally, it enables passengers to ask questions or share relevant updates in a moderated chat, fostering a collaborative commuting experience.
Design System
Our design system ensures a cohesive and accessible user experience by defining consistent styles, typography, colors, and components. It provides a clear foundation for scalability and alignment across all features, enhancing usability and maintaining a polished, modern aesthetic.
Takeaways
• User feedback shaped features to address commuters' actual needs.
• Accessibility was enhanced with TrainTalk's text-based announcements and real-time communication.
• A strong design system ensured consistency across the app.
Next Steps
• Conduct usability tests and live prototypes
• Explore AI-driven features like predictive delays or personalized recommendations.
• Gather post-launch feedback to refine and improve future updates.