A vision of reduced crimes and accidents, rethinking Google Maps navigation for a safer and more accessible journey.
Background
With over 1200 Road crashes and 350 deaths every day in India, it’s become extremely important for all stakeholders involved in making road travel safer to sit down, think and act to the alarming situation. Stakeholders involving Travellers, governments and service providers. Millions being spent by the governments(state and central) and the policies that they craft for better safety and security still fail to translate on the ground. Studying data for previous years the number of deaths, crimes and crashes while travelling more or less the same. Highlighting the urgent need to find solutions where we could increase security, safety and accessibility for travellers.
Introduction
Google Maps Navigation
More than a billion people using Google Maps every month(2019), It is the only way to go app in India used by everyone for navigation, travel or to find new places. A million trips every day, maps help people to navigate through public transport, help to create an accessible environment for differently-abled, make sure people reach there on time.
Hence, it could act as a perfect bridge towards safer travel at least for its users and if not all in many cases. Using this opportunity I researched and Ideated multiple solutions we could incorporate in the existing Application helping us realise this goal.
Process curated
Started out with my desk research, highlighting my goals and the areas that I felt I should work for, Comprehensively using the application of competitors, google maps to spending time on understanding concepts such as working of GPS or how to source such huge amount of data. With some highly interesting insights from my research and User studies, I listed down the requirements, domain and the target people.
Ideation process began with finally trimming down to 13 additions in the Google maps navigation app in India, extending it to not just design but their working, implementation and impact.
Why?
In 2018 alone more than 149k people lost their lives on roads in India either because of collisions between vehicles, trespassing railway crossing, getting into wrong lanes. Seeing this India’s parliament approved the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill on July 31, 2019, the Act aimed to make sure that people drive responsibly through increased fines that in fact will result in safer travel. India accounts for about 2% of motor vehicles globally, yet it’s responsible for more than 11% of road traffic deaths.
There is also an equivalent need to enhance travellers and pedestrians security, by taking necessary steps that help reduce street crimes, there were over 7800 street crimes reported in Bengaluru only(2017). Especially for women, it’s important we ensure a healthier and safer environment, where we assist them by ensuring a safety bubble around them.
After all the preliminary research, I outlined and identified the areas and domain which needs introspection. So listed down over 40 features or elements that could help us achieve the safety goal. Selected 13 and ideated upon them, for example, features like default commute tracking or waterlogging predictor are among them.
Target Stakeholders
Driver
Includes all users who are themselves driving out their vehicles including Car, Two-wheelers and all sorts of commercial drivers.
Passenger
Including users that are co-riders in a vehicle, in their personal car travelling with family or using a commercial Taxi to travelling in a Public Transport.
Pedestrians
Those walking on sideways, travelling on foot, making sure that their trip is also counted and their security is enhanced.
Target Domains
Safety
Safety includes targets that are to reduce the number of Road Accidents, identifying types of accidents common, groups involved, and finding the reasons behind. Ideating how we could use Google Maps that help achieve a higher standard of safety.
Security
Target is reduced street crimes, make sure pedestrians, travellers(especially women) women feel safe while navigating. especially during nighttime when the risk of a crime to happen is much higher.
Accessibility
Enhancing accessibility in vulnerable situations and to vulnerable groups. Ensuring the use case of Google Maps as a toolbox is further strengthened. Finding such gaps and ideating upon them. Example situation was of during a trip when you have a long journey to cover but you are short on phone battery.
Market study
Comparison
It was important to compare other similar services that include not only navigation service providers but also services like ola/uber or NYC Subway as it helped me understand specific concepts, features that I was ideating or had in mind, their specialities and how I could take useful insights from them.
The selection of apps and services were done based on their popularity, my reach in accessing them and how much they are linked to the target stakeholders along with domains.
I began the project by seeking personal anecdotes and looking at reviews in app stores in order to understand users’ experiences, pain points, and needs with Google Maps or myself went out and asked different people about their experience.
Aim
With the project, my aim is not to bypass the law rather work in accordance with it for a safer trip. With such mass adoption of Google Maps, I wanted that with minor tweaks and additions if we could help them for a safer journey it would be very beneficial, helping achieve the overall aim of making roads and travel safer, bringing down crashes, accidents and crime.
Challenges
Data is the biggest challenge that not only I faced throughout the design process but also it is a constraint that would be the first one needs to resolve. Motivating people to gather necessary crowdsourced data. Further challenges include devising of methods that will tell which data and information need to be prioritised and showcased.
Incorporating the changes in a subtle way, that they don’t pop out but are at the same time noticed by users, abiding with the existing design language of Google Maps.
Gathering feedback for constant improvements and changes or ensuring through feedback that the task intended through these features are being carried in the desired way.
Proposed changes and the problems targetted
1) Waterlogging Prediction
Need
Majority of Indian Landscape including Megacities to towns are affected by constant Waterlogging or Floods during the monsoons. Example in Mumbai Around the height of the monsoon, extreme rainfall can occur, with rates topping four inches per hour, In just a 24 hour period between July 15 and July 16(2020), 13.26 inches of rain fell throughout Mumbai. Delhi not far behind receives unpredictable heave showers time to time choking many of the city vulnerable points majorly due to poor sewage management.
In India, Heavy showers are repetitive in nature that occur on a regular basis, each time submerging crucial vulnerable points throughout cities. Example Zakhira Underpass in Delhi, It’s poor architecture and water management system makes it at risk of submerging with every shower, and it does. People living around know and predict the situation hence avoid travelling from there but for those who are unaware, by the time someone reports the blockage on Maps it’s too late and they fall prey.
Response
In situations of Flood, Google Maps does provide you with the option to report waterlogging, blockages and more but it doesn’t predict the same and relies solely on User funded data, and this is further limited to alarming and High-risk flood situations.
But if Google maps creates a database of all those locations where Users on regular basis report submerge and logging situations, then Maps could use that information to predict that such locations would be troublesome to travel through in case there is a rainfall higher than normal levels(data from government observatories), Users get notified early and are advised to skip those routes, instead of themselves getting stuck and reporting on Maps.
2) Safer routes, get more meaningful insights
Need
Current algorithms or working of Google Maps prioritise shortest possible time to reach a destination, Though the application shows you multiple similar routes, those other routes are not highlighted, thus they are skipped by most users. In the setting options, you may input your priorities but those are limited to facilities like avoiding tolls, it doesn’t take safety prioritisation into account.
As a result in a race to reach the destination quickly, the security of both the driver and the passenger is compromised, an example of such could be rerouted to roads that have no lighting, making them dangerous to drive on during night time and also increases the chance of criminal activities or routing from cuts or corners that famous for accidents could be due to multiple reasons such as poor visibility.
Response
All the routes should be mapped and reported data(from both users and agencies) should be used to identify possible areas that increase risk and reduce the safety or security of a trip.
This includes identifying areas common to accidents of multiple types. Areas and roads where reporting of crime is regular, walkways that have no lights or roads that are in poor shape or are far away from emergency services such as hospitals or Police stations.
Users should be informed of all such shortcomings or risk the route they think they’ll take have, and similar information for other suggested routes too. It would be shown like patches on the map that have no lights or pinpoints that have high accident rates. Users should be judicious enough to compare such information on safety provided to them based on different routes, and they can choose a route based on their priorities. Example women at night choosing roads with complete lighting even though trip time is higher.
3) Essential Safety Reminder before Trip
Need
Every year a lot of possible injuries and crashes can be averted if drivers and passengers could have taken some basic measures of safety.
WHO ( report published in 2015), wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of fatality among drivers and front-seat passengers by 45–50%! The risk of serious injuries comes down to 45%. Another report claims every year more than 5000 lives could be saved in India if people were wearing seatbelts.
Dimming high beams for an oncoming car is one way that a driver stays safe on the roads. The glare created by bright headlights at night can be disorienting for drivers.
Many cars have doors and Seatbelt warnings but since the app is based on Indian locations and people still have cars that don’t have such functionalities it becomes important and helpful for them helping solve the problem of forgetting to ensure that the above basic safety measures are to be carried out!
4) Driver Authentication (Crowdsourced)
need
Safety is a major issue when someone is using a private taxi or an auto or a similar commercial vehicle for travel. Crimes such as rape, theft or even murder have been reported on a regular basis, Crimes, especially by only some of the Taxi drivers, have resulted in strict aftereffects such as mass protests to an extent where the government has intervened and banned services like Uber or Ola for short intervals of time, there are strict laws but such laws aren’t enough to prevent such acts.
Example pf crime report by an ola driver
Hence, it becomes necessary we verify the ride before travelling. If you are using a Ride-Hailing service such as OLA or Uber, then they already have their system and only verified rides/drivers are connected with you. But if you are travelling in a Kaali Peeli(Local) taxi or an Auto that you have simply stopped in the middle of the road by showing your hand, in that case, there is no application in place to verify them.
Response
The idea is to make Google Maps their OLA/Uber in such a situation by showcasing Ratings and review of the driver of their ride. Thus helping travellers to get an idea beforehand. Such ratings and reviews would be sourced from two points.
One would be OLA/Uber if they(drivers) are registered any of the cab operators, their ratings which they have earned in such apps(OLA/uber) would be shown in Google Maps as well. Data would be sourced/linked directly from them.
Other would-be crowdsourced directly in the Google Maps application, useful if Drivers are not registered on any of the linked application. Users can give both ratings and reviews based on their experience, example of which could be “Professional driver” or “Clean vehicle”.
Users simply have to travel to taxi section in Google Maps, there would be a verify section where they have to type in vehicle number, similar matched numbers will be shown on which they can tap and see the details furthermore in that page only they can add the review/rating(preferably at the end of the trip). If matching details are not found, users would see an Add icon where they themselves can add the number and their first rating.
Note: Drivers won’t be informed about individual details of review/rating contributors for safety purposes.
5) Different cars, Different requirements, Different Routes
Need
what may appear a simple broad road on google maps enough to drive a car of any size may not be the same in real life, Multiple roads in villages or small towns that are single Lane, roads that go through residential Colonies. Such roads are not suitable for vehicles and cars that are big or of commercial purposes.
Rerouting to residential Colonies
The major problem is that algorithms do not consider multiple other characteristics of a path they choose. The colony road generally has a lot of pedestrians, there are gates at the entry/exit that limit the height of vehicles that enter, also there are cars parked on both sides leaving little space in between. Factors such as if the colony route passes by an elementary school or every busy community centre need to be taken into account too.
Vehicle Height and Type
The Loaded truck was 12 feet high. The railway underpass was 9 feet high, and flashing lights and yellow signs posted on its path said as much. But the GPS said to go, so the driver went, leading to an unwanted accident. Clearly highlighting how navigation is currently designed for a private family car but it’s equally being used for other types of vehicle, furthermore, At multiple places, commercial vehicles have strict restricted hours to operate, something which currently maps don’t take account of.
6) Hibernation Mode(Low Battery Mode)
Need
Driving on a highway and a long route to cover, there are high chances that your phone battery will die out, and if you don’t have a backup or a charging option with you, then the situation can be pretty daunting. Hence, there was a need if create a way we could utilise battery in a more judicious way and male sure user can use navigation services for a longer period of time.
How to achieve
Google Maps should realise the need for a Hibernation Mode when there is low battery, Hibernation Mode is nothing but specific conditions in which Google Maps navigation operates. These specific conditions ensure battery usage is minimised, There could be multiple ways we could achieve the same including minimising the use of cellular modems for the accuracy or taking advantage of the AMOLED screens( Ambient display, where only a portion of the display is lit) of modern smartphones or cut usage of sensors like a gyroscope or accelerometer.
Using Real-Time Difference (RTD)*. The RTD for two base stations can then be subtracted from the OTD for the same two base stations to produce the Geometric Time Difference (GTD). The GTD is the time difference that would have been measured by the mobile if the network was perfectly synchronised.
- U-TDOA -Uplink- Time difference of arrival — The network determines the time difference and therefore the distance from each base station to the mobile phone.
- TOA -Time of arrival — This technology uses the absolute time of arrival at a certain base station rather than the difference between two stations.
- E-OTD -Enhanced Observed Time Difference is similar to U-TDOA, but the location is estimated using measurements
7) Roadside Assistance Kit
Need
Assistance in times of stress is always welcome. If your car breaks down in the middle of the road it obvious that you would get frustrated to quite an extent and would want to access crucial information that would help you get out of the situation, example My car engine started overheating in the middle of the road. My next step in such a situation would be to find answers to what could be the reasons and what my next steps should be and if the situation is something that on my own I cannot handle, I will try to contact any roadside assistance service.
The above process appears simple but is equally painful, Finding correct answers to the trouble my vehicle encountered in finding the right roadside assistance service number that could serve to my breakdown location.
Response
What if Google driving assistance provides you with crucial information in such scenarios? That’s what the target is, Whenever you felt the need for any information that falls within the province of Roadside assistance, you could find answers under the roadside assistance tab in Google Maps Application. that tab can be accessed from the main navigation screen and includes all crucial information(downloaded with the application), making sure help is there even if you not connected.
It also connects you to a different roadside assistance service providers through a common google helpline, where google takes your GPS location to send it to their servers and connects you to nearby services. Google uses SMS/Common Hotline to respond making sure Help is provided even with no internet.
8) Unusual Activity Tracker and response
Need
A must-have accessory for safety, Applications similar which applications like Uber and OLA already offer is the capability where the Mobile application based on data collected judges your movements and if your responses trigger behaviour that is unusual and match with something like a Crash, then the Application launches Emergency response.
Such response would result in a direct reduction in deaths due to accidents as the App would contact emergency services, would also help in the reduction of events like criminal activity as counter-response is generated, plus would always notify the user to take help of Google assistance feature if the problem/issue falls in that domain.
Response
The concept makes use of the data gathers from your device such as your speed, braking, location and time of the event, along with this it takes behaviour into account too, combining everything the application determines what is the probable cause for the stoppage, could this be due to an accident or breakdown. For example, if the vehicle stops by the roadside in an abrupt manner at 2 am at night where there are no usual signals or stoppages it would determine that there might be a situation of emergency and would act accordingly. On the Other hand, if the vehicle stops at a traffic jam or a signal, it knows that this is normal.
9) Emergency Response ( contact nearby Gmaps Users )
Need and Response
Continuation of Point 6 and 7, even if the application does not detect an unusual stop or a similar situation on its own, users anyhow should have an option to generate an emergency or SOS response from the Application.
An SOS response generated from Google Maps application would be much more effective than an equal response generated by Smartphone because of the additional data Google Maps holds and the google ecosystem it’s part of. Data such as speed before the stop, location history or your vehicle health( OBD) are available. Maps could also connect with additional contacts, details can be gathered through linked Gmail account for example.
10) Safe Parking every time
Need
Went to Kamla Nagar Market in Delhi, There was a road, never travelled on that before, I parked my car on the same and went for shopping, came back after an hour or so and found that the car has been toed. Or it can be when the car’s tyre was punctured or any other possible reason that if I would have known before I would not have parked my car on that spot.
Response
Currently, Google Maps give you an option in which the maps application remember your parking location or your last active location. The idea is to extend this functionality where Google maps will show you if the desired parking space is suitable and risk-free, based on previous inputs from Users or existing data with Maps. If the parking spot is not suitable Maps will give you an option to navigate or find a safer place to park your vehicle.
11) Step by Step Indoor Navigation(AR)
Need
Google Maps currently provides the facility of Indoor Maps at select locations(generally places of high importance). Though the current facility is limited to providing information or discovering new points of interest, users can check details such as Toilets, food outlets and can change Floor Levels too. What Google Maps lacks is the facility of Curated step by step indoor navigation at such places.
When we go to an Airport or a Metro Station where we haven’t been before we always feel bewildered in carrying out the check-in process, normally there are pain points such as finding the correct platform or Line in a Metro Station which is common and triggers confusion.
Response
- Creation of a standard check-in or check-out process of an indoor facility such as check-in process to yellow line Platform Number 2 in Rajiv Chowk metro station from your current location. This includes steps like Finding the correct entry point to getting to the security booth, from there to Token counter and then AFC Doors to the Platform. The step included in the whole process is something which is common to all
- Creating a step by step indoor navigation of the whole check-in check-out process with help of the database, cutting down multiple pain points.
- Using Google Maps AR for increased accessibility. (Note:Google Maps AR is still not available in India due to government restrictions on Streetview which is necessary for AR to function.) But using Photos in reviews section provided by users Google can try to craft an AR experience which uses the camera on the rear of the phone to identify where you are, superimposing direction and details on the display, rather than just presenting you with a map.
12) Drive Score at the end of the trip, Driving safe every time
need
A Concept feature addition to aims to motivate people to drive safely. Everyone has different driving habits, some people drive fast, some with a higher than average acceleration some with opposite and that’s understandable since different people are comfortable with the habits they have. But there are certain things and limits that every driver should ensure while driving such as driving fast but not beyond the speed limit, driving slow but not dangerously slow that make you prey for crashes from behind and more.
Dangerous driving habits are one of the leading cause of accidents making lives at the stake of everyone including pedestrians, co-travellers and co-riders. If people follow rules, drive in the designated lanes, follow rules and don’t habitualized things like harsh braking or quick acceleration (example at places such as crossings) a lot of crashes can be averted.
Response
Idea is to Track their driving habits and techniques through multiple data entry points and thus processing it to show how well they drove or providing them with an average drive score (average of everyone’s recorded data on the same route), we in a sense could motivate them to improve their rankings/score hence motivating them to drive safely.
Apart from this showcasing them the breakdown of the trip details such as average speed maintained or how many times they applied harsh braking would further inform them about the areas they could improve on to drive better.
13) Auto Share Real-time Commute Location
Need
Office timings can be pretty late and hence it becomes especially important during the night time that someone monitors your trip, even when you are driving on your own or using a taxi but due to our forgetful nature and confidence, we skip this measure.
We Commute to work and then back home on a regular basis, as a result, we feel knowledgable of the routes we drive through and find it unimportant and not convincing enough to open maps every time for navigation and also to share our location every time.
Impact
Direct reduction in crimes and increased possibility of timely action in case there is a mishappening such as an accident.
Highly helpful for women travellers, taking a Taxi or Auto way back home. Multiple crimes can be averted in such a situation if there is Tracking of real-time location as noticing any unusual activity would result in triggering of timely intervention.
What’s next?
I wish to turn these ideas into more viable features, undoubtedly, there would be much more validation required, also required to conduct much larger user studies and research based on not just consumer but from the business perspective as well, to realise this there’s no denying to the multiple technical constraints we would encounter but All I know is that It must keep going.
😀
Thank you for making it to the end!
if you enjoyed my work so far, shoot me some feedback — I’m always looking to improve my dexterity!
Aditya Bansal
Interaction Design student at Delhi Technological University
Reach out to me at [email protected] or at adityaban.com