Journey Jolt (Case Study)
Creating a Train application that wakes the user up before they arrive at their station
Industry
Fintech
Headquarters
N/A
Founded
2023
Company size
1
Challenge
During the development of Journey Jolt, we faced several significant challenges. One of the primary hurdles was ensuring that users could easily customize their notification preferences without feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, we had to be mindful of battery drain, as constant GPS tracking could quickly deplete a device's power. We also encountered issues with internet connectivity, requiring us to design features that worked offline. Testing the app across various devices was crucial for compatibility, and we had to prioritise user privacy and security while ensuring they understood how to navigate the app.
Results
The result of our efforts was a user-friendly app that effectively addresses the pain points of train commuters. Journey Jolt allows users to set customizable alarms for when they approach their destination, significantly reducing the anxiety of missing stops. By integrating advanced GPS technology, we ensured reliable performance without excessive battery usage. The feedback from early users has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the app's intuitive design and ease of use. Ultimately, we created a seamless commuting experience that empowers users to relax, read, or even nap without the fear of missing their train station.
Product Context
Have you ever tried to take a short nap on the train only to wake up and find yourself at the end of the line? How can you help passengers wake up just before the train arrives at their station?
Our train app, named Journey Jolt, is designed to revolutionise the commuting experience by eliminating the anxiety of missing your stop. With the help of advanced GPS technology, the app tracks the user's train journey in real-time and sends timely alerts just before they reach their destination. Journey Jolt offers a seamless and stress-free experience, allowing passengers to relax, read, or even catch up on sleep during their commute. The app's user interface is intuitive and customisable, allowing users to set preferences for alerts, adjust notification settings, and save frequently traveled routes for convenience. Available on both iOS and Android platforms, WakeMeTrain aims to enhance the daily commute for millions of traveler's worldwide.
The Problems
The problems that we may come across while making Journey Jolt is:
User Preferences: Making it easy for users to choose how they want to be notified.
Battery Drain: Ensuring the app doesn't use too much battery power.
Internet Issues: Dealing with times when the internet isn't guaranteed at all times.
Testing on Different Devices: Confirming the app works well on all kinds of phones and tablets.
Privacy and Security: Keeping user data safe and private.
Helping Users Understand: Assuring users know how to use the app.
Working with Train Systems: Double-checking to ensure the app can connect with different train systems. Especially with major cities that have underground train networks but also train networks that aren't that well known.
Discover Phase
User Research
Passengers often find themselves nodding off while travelling on trains due to a combination of factors affecting their circadian rhythm and environment. According to the Sleep Foundation, disruptions to one's normal sleep schedule, known as circadian rhythm, can be a key factor. Research indicates that around 20% of adults get less than 6 hours of sleep on weeknights, which can contribute to increased drowsiness during travel. Travelling by train often involves early morning or late-night journeys, which can interfere with the body's natural sleep-wake cycle. A study by the UK's Office of Rail and Road found that over 40% of passengers use trains for commuting, with many of these journeys occurring during peak sleep times. Additionally, the rhythmic motion and gentle swaying of the train, as discussed in Elle, create a soothing environment conducive to relaxation and sleep. This motion mimics the sensation of being rocked to sleep, triggering a sense of calmness and comfort. Furthermore, the familiar sounds of the train and the relative privacy of one's seat contribute to a feeling of safety and security, further encouraging passengers to drift off. Combined with the often monotonous scenery passing by, the train carriage becomes an ideal setting for a quick nap, especially for tired commuters or travellers. Sourced from the Sleep Foundation
Competition Analysis
Over the 6 most popular apps for train travel, over half of them have the option to notify the user when the train is coming to their destination. Here is my findings.
Google Maps, Apple Maps, Moovit, & Citymapper: Has “Get off” Alert
Transit, Rail Planner, & Trainline: Doesn’t have alerts/ Notification for when the users station is coming up.
From theses finding, it shows that there is a gap in the market for a train application that alarms the users when they are coming up to their destination, as the most popular applications only notify the user. The worry for some notifications is that the user won’t hear them (and not wake them up) or some people have their phone on silent so this notification won’t be seen until they have woken up at the end of the line.
Define Stage
Workshop
User Personas
Empathy Map
Initial Ideas
Research
Brand and Experience Requirements
Flow Map
Design
Colour & Typography
Low Fi. Wireframes
Final Screens
The Solutions
The problems that we may come across while making Journey Jolt is:
User Preferences: Making it easy for users to choose how they want to be notified.
Battery Drain: Ensuring the app doesn't use too much battery power.
Internet Issues: Dealing with times when the internet isn't guaranteed at all times.
Testing on Different Devices: Confirming the app works well on all kinds of phones and tablets.
Privacy and Security: Keeping user data safe and private.
Helping Users Understand: Assuring users know how to use the app.
Working with Train Systems: Double-checking to ensure the app can connect with different train systems. Especially with major cities that have underground train networks but also train networks that aren't that well known.
