A mobile application, designed to address the lack of social distancing compliance on Indian buses, reduces contact between conductors and passengers by digitizing transactions and enforcing social distancing measures.
After thorough research into user mindset and behavior, two major issues were identified:
Therefore, our solution aims to intervene at the stakeholder level. Conductors, who regularly interact with passengers on buses, are key transmitters of COVID-19.
The main feature of the "Travel Safe" app is enabling online ticket purchases. Tickets include a 3-digit code checked by the conductor, facilitating transactions while maintaining social distance.
In this project, I used a Human-Centered Design (HCD) approach combined with the Double Diamond Design Thinking process. The HCD approach helped me understand the needs, behaviours, and experiences of the users and stakeholders involved, while the Design Thinking approach allowed for rapid prototyping and testing of solutions.
The research began by understanding the current impact of COVID-19 on public transport, with a focus on urban buses, which were most affected. To gain a better understanding, I examined various management systems, particularly how Kenya and other Asian countries were implementing social distancing rules.
A Stakeholder Analysis helped identify various people and organizations connected to my topic. I noticed that bus conductors are particularly vulnerable as they interact with every passenger on the bus. Therefore, I decided to focus my intervention on this critical point of contact.
"Travel Safe" intervenes at primary stakeholder interactions to reduce physical contact and implement social distancing on Indian buses. It achieves this by:
This approach acknowledges and addresses the challenges tired and overburdened passengers face, offering a practical solution that promotes safety and convenience.
I worked on this project for only 9-10 days, which limited my ability to user test the service. Despite this, the project stands out to me due to the different approach I used. Instead of targeting behavioral change, which is challenging to achieve in such a short time, I focused on a solution that can be immediately implemented and is adapted to the reality of people's behavior
Let's give a new meaning to problem-solving by collaborating on design thinking and impactful solutions! Looking forward to working together.
