Google Maps — Routes

I spoke to Sarah the other day and she told me an incident regarding her travel. She wanted to visit few places around which were located within the same vicinity. She used google maps but she felt too overwhelmed or disappointed while using it.

Let’s see what she came across while doing that: Sarah says,

I wanted to travel a few places in the same vicinity but I got so confused about, which area I should go first like maps did not tell me the sequence or guide me through good route while I have selected 6 places to visit at once. It made me go the exact way I have added my stops in the app. It did not tell me that it would be good if I go to ‘stop B’ first because it is closer to me than ‘stop A’. We don’t always come to all familiar areas right, most of the times we step out to do some work and we need that guidance or help us to navigate and give us suggestions on what we can do to complete the rides faster.

This conversation hit me hard and it got me thinking.

“Google Maps has transformed our ability to navigate, explore, and engage with our environment in an unprecedented manner. This digital mapping service, driven by extensive data and powered by cutting-edge technology, has continually grown and enhanced its capabilities. Exploring the expansive world of Google Maps reveals an astonishing milestone: over 1 billion active users each month. This staggering figure underscores the remarkable reach and influence of this navigation tool. Within the realm of Google Maps statistics, this number underscores the widespread reliance and trust in the platform, serving as a beacon of technological excellence for others to emulate. By boldly leading the way in geo-technology, Google Maps effectively guides the daily routines of a significant portion of the global population, emphasizing its essential role in our interconnected world.”

User feedback on Google Maps

I conducted one-on-one or interviews with few people to gain more qualitative insights and deeper understanding about their usage on routes in google maps. I asked them open-ended questions, and encouraged them to share their experiences and opinions.

Based on the analysis, I extracted the pain points users experience and the opportunities for improvement. This information guided my design decisions. Though this idea stroke me with only one user’s feedback initially, even then I thought it would be great if I speak to more users to base my idea and take it further,

Initial user research is an essential foundation for successful design, as it helps you gain empathy for your users, uncover their pain points, and design solutions that genuinely meet their needs. It’s important to keep the user at the center of the design process throughout each stage of development.

Question — Tell me about your experience with creating and using google map routes.

Below are the answers received:

The challenges

I started exploring routes more in details. Here’s what I came across:-

Existing Google Maps Design — Add stops feature

Considerations:

Complexity: Adding multiple stops may make the route more complex, and users should consider the time it takes to make each stop and how it impacts the overall journey.

Traffic Conditions: Users should be aware that real-time traffic conditions can affect the estimated arrival times at each stop, so it’s important to check for updates during the trip.

Mobile Data Usage: While Google Maps offers offline maps, users should be mindful of data usage when using the “Add Stops” feature with a live data connection.

How Google can help?

• Take the “stops” from user and with the location coordinates it can help plan the route seamlessly.
• Suggest ETA for each stop including traffic conditions, diversions etc.
• Let user know that the wait times are not included in the calculated total journey time. Google can only show the time to complete journey with respect to all stops which are entered by user.
• Further more google can enhance this feature by suggesting/recommending places to visit nearby the stops. This can help more when user is travelling for vacation/hangout.
• Make it conversational or take human-centred approach by asking user purpose of travel.
• Let user download the route offline.
• Saving the route.
• Sharing the route plan via google maps link.
• If user wants to stick to the plan they created, then show them what difference google can make by the route it planned for you. Showing these stats can engage users in may ways.
• Give user an option to stay on their original route even after checking the route plan google made for them.
• This route planning feature can also be looked as “Generative AI” 😊 where google generates content for users by taking the requirements. This could really be a game changer.

Ideation/Speed Sketching

Advantages

Efficient Route Planning: Adding stops along your route can help you plan an efficient itinerary, whether you’re running errands, going on a road trip, or making deliveries. This feature optimizes the sequence of stops to save time and reduce fuel consumption.

Convenience: It’s convenient for users who need to visit multiple destinations in a single journey, as they can enter all the stops and let Google Maps provide directions for the entire route.

Time and Mileage Estimates: Google Maps provides time and mileage estimates for the entire route, including stops, which helps users plan their schedules and budget their time.

Seamless Navigation: Google Maps seamlessly guides users from one stop to the next, making it easy to follow the planned route.

Save Locations: Users can save frequently visited locations, such as favorite restaurants or clients’ addresses, for quick access when planning routes.

Business Use: This feature is especially beneficial for businesses that rely on delivery services, field visits, or sales calls. It allows them to optimize routes for maximum efficiency.

Redesign of “Plan a route”

Outcomes

• Google can also become your travel planner be it other city or within your vicinity.
• Google has many AI capabilities by which it can create wonders for the people.
• Around 67% of map app users use Google Maps. Google Maps users mainly contribute to more than 20 million pieces of information a day.
• It can help maximum users navigate efficiently and have best travel experience and intuitive customer experiences.
• Route planner can help users save time and operational cost too. Depending on the mode of transport it can benefit users in many ways.