Project Direction
The direction of our project has changed from the initial idea of a “panic button” app that spontaneously provides aid to the user through crowdsourcing, to a pre-booking idea for the user(s) to find a Safety Buddy prior to their trip. As well, instead of simply having UBC students as our primary user base as originally intended, we decided on making the user base open to anyone who needs to travel from a start point to a destination point within Metro Vancouver. This would allow us to not only expand our app’s user base, but also increase the reach of the app as it would open up more options of safety buddies for users. The following is a summary of the general intended user workflow of the proposed app:
A general user using the app would select a start point, a destination point, and a departure time for the route they are intending to take. The app will then plot all the possible routes between the points and then search for other nearby users who have reported similar routes and departure times. Each user that is matched will receive a notification that someone nearby is looking for a Safety Buddy. They each have the option to either accept or decline the match. Should one of them decline, they will each have the option to search for other buddies or cancel the search altogether. If they both accept, however, they will receive directions to each other and can then begin their journey together as each other’s Safety Buddy. This would encourage users to not only meet potentially new people in their community, but will also allow them the option of travelling with another person in order to feel safer overall.
Task Examples
1. Danielle is a UBC student that frequently studies late at the campus. She is concerned with walking by herself because of the numerous sexual assaults that have happened in UBC lately, and so she always calls UBC Safewalk to walk her to the bus loop. However, the bus stop where she gets off is another 10 minute walk away from her house. She usually talks on the phone with one of her friends during that walk, but still feels unsafe. She knows that her neighborhood is a popular neighborhood for UBC students to rent in, and occasionally finds herself walking in the same direction with another student halfway. In occasions like this, she feels a lot safer, and would like this to happen more often.
2. Martin lives in an area with a relatively high rate of crime. For health and convenience, he prefers biking to work and usually travels with a partner for safety reasons. One day, however, his biking partner is unavailable to accompany him back home. Martin does not own a car and public transit in his area is very sparse. He does not wish to pay the exorbitant fee for a taxi but has no one else to bike through his neighborhood with.
3. Charlie is Alex’s sibling. Charlie is concerned about Alex’s well being, because Alex has a daily commute after school, with a portion of the trip home passing through a neighborhood with a high crime rate. Charlie would like to join Alex on the trip back from school, however, other obligations prevent this from happening. One day, Charlie is home, and notices that 20 minutes has elapsed from the time Alex is expected to be home. Charlie calls Alex to ensure Alex’s safety, but receives no response. Charlie would prefer to have information available regarding Alex’s whereabouts, but is unable to get it sometimes as Alex may not want to pick up the phone. When Charlie is able to get a hold of Alex’s location, Charlie feels less anxious.
(Due Tues, Jan 24)