Bus Departure and Delay Alerts
Design a transit alert experience that tells riders when to leave, what changed, and which alternative still gets them there.
The brief
Understand the problem
Background
A scheduled bus time is less useful than knowing when to leave home and whether the vehicle is actually moving. Live feeds can be delayed, disappear, or conflict with official disruption notices.
User context
Ben walks eight minutes to his stop and must reach a childcare pickup by 17:45. His usual bus is delayed, and the next route requires a different stop.
Product problem
The product must combine schedule, live confidence, walking time, and disruption information into a clear action without sending constant notifications.
Objective
Create saved-trip setup, leave-now alerts, disruption detail, and alternative route selection.
What to design
Define the experience
Required experience
- Saved journey and arrival goal
- Timely departure alert
- Delay explanation and alternative
Screens and states
- Commute status
- Alert detail
- Alternative routes
- Compact watch alert
Core user flow
Follow the critical path
- 01
Ben saves his weekday trip and required arrival
- 02
He receives a leave-in-five-minutes alert
- 03
A delay changes the recommendation
- 04
He chooses a nearby express route and gets updated walking guidance
Product rules
Requirements and constraints
Requirements
- Distinguish scheduled and live times
- Show data freshness
- Account for walking time
- Prioritize alerts that require action
- Offer accessible alternatives
Constraints
- Vehicle location can be missing
- Notifications may arrive late
- Riders may have limited mobility or data
Reality check
States worth considering
Ready-to-use content
Mock data
Use this content to test hierarchy and realistic data states. You can expand it when the concept needs more depth.
Trip status
- Route 42 scheduled 17:08
- Live estimate 17:16, updated 45 seconds ago
- Walk to stop: 8 minutes
- Alternative X4 arrives 17:13 at Market Street
Finish line
What to deliver
- Three mobile screens and one watch alert
- A confidence treatment for live arrival information
If you want more
Optional extensions
Optional direction
Visual resources
Use these as a starting constraint if you want one. They are not part of the required solution.