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Traffic Cones
Maps: Biking Mode
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Union Exchange
Worldwide MI
Traffic Cones
Maps: Biking Mode
OTHER WORKProjects + Exercises
About Me
Email →
LinkedIn →
Apple Maps: Biker Awareness Features
An Apple Maps redesign encouraging drivers to be biker conscious in effort to improve biking culture in Ann Arbor.
The Objective:
Develop a design intervention on an existing interface that seamlessly connects individuals and systems, empowering users with agency and aiding in informed decision-making.
Specifically this project aims to enhance access to public mobility in Ann Arbor with a keen focus on achieving the Vision Zero and carbon neutrality goals by 2030. By unraveling the intricacies of existing systems, the project seeks to reveal the inner workings of public mobility, fostering a deeper understanding of biking culture in Ann Arbor.
The Challenge:
Improving the road dynamics between bikers and cars by changing the hierarchy of the road.
We spent 3.5 weeks conducting initial exploratory and usability research. We focused on two things: (1.) learning about the current state of Ann Arbor’s biking culture primarily from the cyclist’s perspective, (2.) learning what drivers focus on the road and as they use Apple Maps to navigate their ride.
Bikers in Ann Arbor, regardless of experience, feel a lack of belonging on the road.
Biking information is not centralized; bikers rely on crowd-sourcing and word of mouth for etiquette and knowledge.
Cyclists constantly make real-time decisions, anticipating actions of cars, pedestrians, and responding to road changes.
There are varying levels of understanding of bike rules among bikers and drivers.
Bike lanes and signage are often overlooked due to blind spots and sizing issues.
On the road, drivers are MOST aware of cars and LEAST aware of cyclists and road obstructions.
Many drivers disable audio cues while using navigation apps.
The Solution:
Simple UI and notification changes to Apple Maps that decentralize the car, forcing drivers to be a little more aware of bikers on the road.
After completing our journey map and identifying opportunity points within it, we chose to center our solution around opportunity points three (Navigation Enhancement) and six (Safety Awareness).
Interface design:
timeline -> oct -- dec 2023
junior studio -> Interaction Design
collaborator(s) -> Bella Kressaty, Siya Shah
skills used -> interface design, research + ethnography
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