Competitive Analysis | Transit App Redesign | October 2024
During our user interviews, users noted that navigating while walking in the Transit app was very difficult. They discussed using other apps to navigate to bus stops and then using the Transit app to identify departure times. This creates a disjointed experience for users while using public transit, especially in areas they may not be familiar with.
How might we update our navigation tools for walking to encourage users to utilize the Transit app throughout their trip?
This also fits with our overall goal for this redesign; we aim to improve the experience of different aspects of public transit navigation so users will want to use the Transit app throughout their trip. Pedestrian navigation is just one area where the Transit app experience falls behind competitors.
In our user research, participants noted that they often used other apps to navigate to bus stops, including Google Maps. We identified a few other apps that are popular for navigating while walking by looking at app stores and online forums to see what’s popular. To qualify, the app needed to have some features for helping users navigate while walking in an urban setting. This primarily meant excluding hiking focused apps. In practice, all the apps selected also provide users with navigation for public transit. We could not identify any exclusively urban walking focused apps.
We tested each app in 2 different scenarios. The first was an urban neighborhood with streets on a tighter grid and then a suburb area with more complex, longer roads. We took notes and screenshots throughout the experience so we could analyze each later. We then identified key portions of the experience and compared the apps to each other.
Popular navigation apps tend to be more dependent on the location and the quality of maps in that area. The Transit app uses the default map the user’s phone has access to, so we are focused on the experience and ways that the map is presented, rather than what the map is able to suggest.
An overview of the pedestrian navigation experience in the 4 apps we looked at. The screens for each app show what the experience looks like before navigation has begun and then while navigating. There are generally a few map views while in transit.
Google Maps: Google Maps was often mentioned in our user interviews as our participant’s alternative when navigating to bus stops they were unfamiliar with. This app is one of the most popular for navigation and provides directions for many modes of transportation. Walking navigation in Google Maps is very similar to driving, with a map overview and directions. They provide audio and allow users to rotate from a perspective view to an overhead. There is also a AR view.
Apple Maps: The default for iPhones, this app is also a very popular choice for all types of navigation. The walking navigation by default shows the map from an overhead view with a toggle for a zoomed out view as well. It also has an AR view that allows user to see the directions in the world.
Citymapper: This app is more popular in Europe and similarly to the Transit app, focuses on public transit options. It can also provide directions for walking, biking, Uber/Lyft or scooters. The walking navigation screen shows the map view on top and written directions below. The map view is responsive to the direction of the user’s phone as well, which creates a compass like effect for users to orient themselves. It allows for audible directions as well.
Moovit: This is another transit focused app, providing information on transit routes. It provides walking navigation as part of transit routes only. Like the other app, it lists the directions before users are on their way. It has just an overhead view, allowing users to toggle between a zoomed in, user following view or zoomed out, north facing view. It also allows users to preview every turn.
There were a few features that we found across all the apps we tried. For example, all of these app show an indication of which way the devices is pointing, allowing users to get a better sense of where they are and where they need to head towards. At the very least, they indicate orientation with a spotlight extending from the dot representing the device’s location. Citymapper takes this further by rotating the map to match the orientation. Google Maps and Apple Maps have an AR view which also shows orientation.
Another common feature is the written out directions, which tell the user when to turn and when. These instructions provide an alternative for users who may not want to use the map to figure out the direction. They can also work as a preview of the route. With the exception of Moovit, these apps also provide the option for users to listen to the directions.
Finally, these apps correct or readjust the route when the user goes off course. In general, when the user does not follow the route laid out the app will create a new route so that users can continue and still make it to their direction. They also will provide some indication that this happened, such as by showing that a new course is being created. These tools help provide a more comprehensive walking experience.