Waze is 2nd most popular navigation app in the US, with 30 million active monthly users. It has a strong user base of daily commuters, uber and lyft drivers. Waze is also crowd sourced, and maintained by a group of 460,000 volunteers, making it prone to errors and leaving room for improvement. In this study, I attempt to shed light and suggest improvements to some of these errors.
Approach
Employed design thinking to empathize, define and ideate solutions for creating an effective navigation basemap for Waze. Below are the steps I took in this process.
Research
In order to assess Waze’s navigation base map, I reviewed the essentials of navigation maps, existing navigation apps (i.e. Google Maps, Apple Maps), navigation maps documentation by Uber, AdobeXD, small multiples, and Mapbox. This led me to the three most important layers in a navigation map app.
Keeping the essential requirements of a navigation base map in mind, I arrived at the following qualities which constitutes a successful base map. These qualities inform design decisions, user interaction and experience. Next step - I’ll be assessing Waze’s base map for these qualities.
Niomi’s day out with Waze
Upon reviewing critical documentation and navigation essentials, I thought it would be a good idea to take a two pronged approach to understand how user’s feel about Waze. First approach, was to review online forums and feedback provided by user communities. Where, I largely found the following
- Can be confusing
- User perception that Waze provided the fastest routes
- Engaging social elements - especially police trap, potholes etc
- Cluttered UI and Navigation
- Can be too much information to handle at once
- Used primarily because of it’s social elements and sense of community
- Users use it to find the cheapest gas stations on the route
- Missing turns and roundabouts
“I like how the use of gamification encourages users to share and contribute more to a social mapping application. Unless I reach certain Waze age I can’t report certain things.” - an online reviewer
“So I asked all my driver friends. Everyone simply accepts things as they are or too embarrassed to admit that they also find the app confusing” - an online reviewer
After sifting through online reviews and feedback, I decided to take Waze for a test drive. This was my first time using Waze and hence, a perfect candidate to try the app.
Analysis
What works
Personalization is a plus
High integration of real time social networking features like driver feedback & other wazers.
Playful interface with fun UI icons
Useful information through pop-ups & icons like nearby parking lot, speed limit, railroad crossing.
Ability to hide/show overlay features and information
What doesn’t work
High contrast between road & base with unclear visual hierarchy in annotations & colors
Too much information on the map makes it hard to pay attention
Not a pleasant transition from 2d to 3d during turns due to lack of context and weird zoom proportions.
Use of qualitative color schemes (in lieu of sequential) makes it hard to focus on map elements
Missing geographical context
App is highly car centric, neglecting other users
Opportunity 1
How can we help drivers minimize cognitive noise & focus on what’s relevant while using a navigation app?
- Improve visual hierarchy in text, colors, line weights
- Use progressive disclosure to manage information density
- Simplify icons, de-clutter interface
- Include the option to use aerial basemaps
Opportunity 2
How can we improve accessibility for all types of user?
- Improve contrast ratios for people with limited vision
- Include voice input on the main screen
- Include navigation features for pedestrians and bike
Opportunity 3
How can we optimize UI interactions to improve user experience?
- Optimize pinch to zoom for more responsive interface
- Limit the 3d view only during turns for clear navigation
- Road annotations to align with the line, unless its a POI or a place.
Conclusion
A navigation apps base map must put users at front & center. The product should be able to clearly deliver instructions while going the extra mile in making the experience joyful. I’ve attempted to keep the inherent playful elements of Waze alive, while improving the way use the app. Providing a uniform color balance that is easy on the eyes, softening night mode , reducing clutter and incorporating a sequential color scheme.
To top it all, I also thought it would be cool, to create a UI palette.
