3rd place - UXL Blueprint Design Challenge
Designing a sustainable and accessible travel app.
OVERVIEW
Despite a growing interest in eco-friendly transit, many commuters still rely on unsustainable travel options. Difficult transit systems, unreliable schedules, and accessibility issues make greener choices feel more difficult for everyday use.
THE SOLUTION
TransitBloom is a mobile app concept that helps commuters plan efficient and sustainable routes by using intuitive navigation, inclusive design, and rewards that make eco-friendly choices feel practical and achievable.
TIMELINE
Nov 2024 (3 week design challenge)
03. Eco-rewards tracking system
Sustainable travel is rewarded through carbon savings, eco-points, and process indicators. Points can be redeemed for transit discount or local deals, encouraging repeat consumer behaviour.
TOOLS
Figma, Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Procreate
DESIGN CHALLENGE
How might we design sustainable travel options that increase efficiency while enhancing the quality of life for daily commuters?
SOLUTIONS
01. Real-time Route Planning
Users receive up-to-date routes that account for delays, transit conditions, and sustainability impact— helping users to choose faster, greener options.
MY ROLE
Product Designer, UX Researcher
02. Accessibility-first navigation
TransitBloom highlights routes with elevators, ramps, and step-free access. Filters allow users with mobility needs to avoid inaccessible stations or transfers.
RESEARCH
Why don’t people choose sustainable transit?
We studied 2 key groups:
Students who value speed and affordability; and
Seniors who require accessible routes.
Through interviews, competitor analysis, and market research, we discovered barriers that shape commuting behaviour.
User Research
The real frustrations behind daily commuting…
Speaking with commuters showed that the challenge wasn’t just about getting from point A to B, it was about uncertainty, stress, and lack of control. Students described feeling overwhelmed by unreliable schedules and transit systems, often defaulting to using Uber or driving because it felt more predictable. Seniors and users with mobility needs shared how inaccessible stations made even essential trips feel frustrating.
These conversations highlighted that commuting decisions are shaped by convenience, confidence, and whether the system feels like it supports you.
Insights
Convenience, confidence, and support drive commuter decisions.
Users emphasized that reliability and convenience are more important than simply having sustainable options available. If transit feels confusing or inconsistent, people are far less likely to choose it regardless of environmental benefits.
At the same time, many users expressed an openness to greener choices when given the right motivation. Incentives, clear real-time updates, and visible accessibility features can shift behaviour by making sustainable travel feel realistic and rewarding.
What We Heard
“Bus schedules are so confusing— I just never know when to leave.”
— M.L., UofT student
“If I had a good reason to, I might actually stop driving.”
— K.V., Senior Citizen
DEFINE
Redesigning Transit Around Real Barriers
From our research, it became clear that commuters don’t dislike sustainable transit; they just feel unsupported by already existing tools. Current apps fail to address accessibility, motivation, and uncertainty.
We defined TransitBloom as an all-in-one experience that connects real-time information, inclusive route planning, and eco-incentives to close the gap between intention and action.
Problem Statement
“Commuters face unreliable, inaccessible, and uninspiring transit experiences that make sustainable travel feel inconvenient and uncertain.”
Design Focus
Reduce uncertainty with real-time updating routes
Support diverse mobility needs
Motivate greener choices through rewards
DESIGN
Low-Fidelity
Quick sketches to map out the core user structure
The first wireframes focused on key actions like transportation preferences, route planning, rewards system, and accessibility filters.
Signup page
Additional transit information
Home screen & navigation
Multi-city transit coverage
Carbon footprint tracker
Med-Fidelity
Early feedback showed that users felt overwhelmed. Some screens lacked visual hierarchy, accessibility options were hard to find, and the purple colour palette didn’t align with sustainability.
Final Design
Refined design using feedback
We focused on strengthening both usability and visual identity. The original purple colour palette felt disconnected from the idea of green technology, so we shifted to a green-teal primary palette supported by dark green, black, and white for better readability and stronger sustainability branding.
We introduced clearer iconography, accessibility toggles, carbon-saving visuals, and an eco-points reward system. The final design below creates an experience that supported users to make greener commuting choices every day.
RESULTS
What I learned
01. Sustainability needs motivation
Many users already care about the environment, but awareness alone does not change behaviour. Clear incentives and real-time reassurance is what drives intention into action.
02. Accessibility must be integrated from the start
Designing for seniors and users with mobility needs helped reinforce the idea that accessibility cannot be ignored. When accessibility options are built in from the start, the experience improves for everyone; not just those with specific needs.
03. Small UX decisions help shape our everyday habits
TransitBloom showed me how details such as colour choices and reward feedback can influence trust. Thoughtful UX decisions can make sustainable commuting feel easier, more rewarding, and part of a daily routine.