TRAkr
Interaction Design Study
Challenge
Ann Arbor’s public transportation suffers from inconsistent service, lack of real-time updates, poor accessibility, and low public engagement. The challenge was to design a solution that better aligns with the mobility needs of diverse users while improving experience, trust, and usability.
Insight/Research
Survey and interview data revealed that:
58% of users cited the lack of real-time info as their biggest issue
71% reported transit regularly made them late
Most used public transit for commuting, and found current systems unreliable and unclear
People also viewed buses as unengaging and felt that apps like TheRide were non-functional or confusing.
Early Thinking
Our early ideas explored everything from improved onboard interfaces to modular stop redesigns, but we quickly narrowed the focus to digital tools. Through sketching and flow mapping, we developed the hypothesis that syncing a user’s calendar with real-time routing would reduce friction, simplify decision-making, and personalize the experience. This approach would let the app anticipate when a user needed to leave, offer suggestions based on daily routines, and respond in real time to delays.
Prototyping & Testing
Using Figma, we built wireframes for two key flows: one for users who synced their calendars and one for those who didn’t. We conducted moderated testing with a “think-aloud” approach and gathered feedback on routing clarity, onboarding, and how the app communicated urgency. Based on feedback, we set out to make the interface more intuitive.
Iteration
Users responded most positively to features that gave them more control; like knowing how crowded a bus would be or getting notified when it was time to leave. We also saw that personalization made people trust the system more; syncing the calendar gave the app a reason to notify users rather than just acting like a map. Through iteration, we learned how to keep the interface minimalistic while still delivering meaningful information when it mattered most.
Final SYstem & Features
A calendar-aware transit app designed to help riders move smarter, not harder.
Calendar sync for personalized commute planning
Real-time bus tracking and crowd data
Multi-modal route options (bus, bike, walk)
Predictive trip suggestions based on your next event
