GatorRyde
A simple way for students to connect and plan long-distance trips together
ESTIMATED READING TIME
10 mins
ROLE
UX Designer
SKILLS
Mobile App Design
User Research
TIMELINE
8 Weeks
ESTIMATED READING TIME
10 mins
ROLE
UX Designer
SKILLS
Mobile App Design
User Research
TIMELINE
8 Weeks
Project Overview
The Thanksgiving I Almost Didn’t Go Home
The Thanksgiving I Almost Didn’t Go Home
That year, I almost skipped the most delicious holiday with my family. Between overpriced tickets and exhausting bus rides, I sat in my dorm debating whether it was even worth it. That’s when I realized students like me needed a better option.
That year, I almost skipped the most delicious holiday with my family. Between overpriced tickets and exhausting bus rides, I sat in my dorm debating whether it was even worth it. That’s when I realized students like me needed a better option.
The Challenge
The Challenge
Simplifying Student Travel Across Florida
Simplifying Student Travel Across Florida
When students need to get home or visit friends, finding a ride should be simple, but often, it isn’t. Group chats are disorganized, buses are slow or sold out, flights are outrageously expensive, and ride-sharing apps don’t feel safe for long distances.
GatorRyde makes long-distance travel simple with verified .edu profiles, shared itineraries, and one-tap safety features. Built-in social tools help students heading to events across Florida, like popular festivals or away games, connect and ride together.
When students need to get home or visit friends, finding a ride should be simple, but often, it isn’t. Group chats are disorganized, buses are slow or sold out, flights are outrageously expensive, and ride-sharing apps don’t feel safe for long distances.
GatorRyde makes long-distance travel simple with verified .edu profiles, shared itineraries, and one-tap safety features. Built-in social tools help students heading to events across Florida, like popular festivals or away games, connect and ride together.
USER RESEARCH
User Insights
To better understand these struggles, we spoke with multiple students:
Interviews: 6 students (3 with cars, 3 without cars); 25–35 min each, Zoom/IRL.
Survey: 20+ responses, Google Forms; multiple choice + short text.
Once interviews are done, we narrowed down to types of personas:
One who wants to ride but struggles to coordinate timing, trust profiles, and stay on budget.
Another who drives, fronts gas and tolls, and waits to get paid back, often without clear seat commitments.
To better understand these struggles, we spoke with multiple students:
Interviews: 6 students (3 with cars, 3 without cars); 25–35 min each, Zoom/IRL.
Survey: 20+ responses, Google Forms; multiple choice + short text.
Once interviews are done, we narrowed down to types of personas:
One who wants to ride but struggles to coordinate timing, trust profiles, and stay on budget.
Another who drives, fronts gas and tolls, and waits to get paid back, often without clear seat commitments.
Sarah Thomas
Age: 19
Major: Finance Student
MAIN TASK:
Coordinate safe, affordable transportation for school breaks while balancing academic commitments.WANTS/NEEDS:
Needs a reliable way to find compatible passengers with similar schedules and destinations.
Wants assurance of trust and security in ride-sharing experiences.
Desires cost savings and opportunities to meet new people while reducing environmental impact.
FINDINGS:
Travels home for all breaks, uses her own Toyota.
Organized and environmentally conscious, but worries about time management with carpooling.
Alex Kahlo
Age: 22
Major: Civil Eng. Student
MAIN TASK:
Find affordable and trustworthy transportation options to attend events and visit home multiple times per semester.WANTS/NEEDS:
Wants access to cost-effective rides that simplify planning and booking.
Needs reliable transportation
Seeks reassurance of safety in shared travel.
FINDINGS:
Frequently travels home (4–5 times a semester) but doesn’t own a car.
Hesitant to engage in new options unless safety measures are clear.
Sarah Thomas
Age: 19
Major: Finance Student
MAIN TASK:
Coordinate safe, affordable transportation for school breaks while balancing academic commitments.WANTS/NEEDS:
Needs a reliable way to find compatible passengers with similar schedules and destinations.
Wants assurance of trust and security in ride-sharing experiences.
Desires cost savings and opportunities to meet new people while reducing environmental impact.
FINDINGS:
Travels home for all breaks, uses her own Toyota.
Organized and environmentally conscious, but worries about time management with carpooling.
Alex Kahlo
Age: 22
Major: Civil Eng. Student
MAIN TASK:
Find affordable and trustworthy transportation options to attend events and visit home multiple times per semester.WANTS/NEEDS:
Wants access to cost-effective rides that simplify planning and booking.
Needs reliable transportation
Seeks reassurance of safety in shared travel.
FINDINGS:
Frequently travels home (4–5 times a semester) but doesn’t own a car.
Hesitant to engage in new options unless safety measures are clear.
Sarah Thomas
Age: 19
Major: Finance Student
MAIN TASK:
Coordinate safe, affordable transportation for school breaks while balancing academic commitments.WANTS/NEEDS:
Needs a reliable way to find compatible passengers with similar schedules and destinations.
Wants assurance of trust and security in ride-sharing experiences.
Desires cost savings and opportunities to meet new people while reducing environmental impact.
FINDINGS:
Travels home for all breaks, uses her own Toyota.
Organized and environmentally conscious, but worries about time management with carpooling.
Alex Kahlo
Age: 22
Major: Civil Eng. Student
MAIN TASK:
Find affordable and trustworthy transportation options to attend events and visit home multiple times per semester.WANTS/NEEDS:
Wants access to cost-effective rides that simplify planning and booking.
Needs reliable transportation
Seeks reassurance of safety in shared travel.
FINDINGS:
Frequently travels home (4–5 times a semester) but doesn’t own a car.
Hesitant to engage in new options unless safety measures are clear.
Sarah Thomas
Age: 19
Major: Finance Student
MAIN TASK:
Coordinate safe, affordable transportation for school breaks while balancing academic commitments.WANTS/NEEDS:
Needs a reliable way to find compatible passengers with similar schedules and destinations.
Wants assurance of trust and security in ride-sharing experiences.
Desires cost savings and opportunities to meet new people while reducing environmental impact.
FINDINGS:
Travels home for all breaks, uses her own Toyota.
Organized and environmentally conscious, but worries about time management with carpooling.
Alex Kahlo
Age: 22
Major: Civil Eng. Student
MAIN TASK:
Find affordable and trustworthy transportation options to attend events and visit home multiple times per semester.WANTS/NEEDS:
Wants access to cost-effective rides that simplify planning and booking.
Needs reliable transportation
Seeks reassurance of safety in shared travel.
FINDINGS:
Frequently travels home (4–5 times a semester) but doesn’t own a car.
Hesitant to engage in new options unless safety measures are clear.
Sarah Thomas
Age: 19
Major: Finance Student
MAIN TASK:
Coordinate safe, affordable transportation for school breaks while balancing academic commitments.
WANTS/NEEDS:
Needs a reliable way to find compatible passengers with similar schedules and destinations.
Wants assurance of trust and security in ride-sharing experiences.
Desires cost savings and opportunities to meet new people while reducing environmental impact.
FINDINGS:
Travels home for all breaks, uses her own Toyota.
Organized and environmentally conscious, but worries about time management with carpooling.
Alex Kahlo
Age: 22
Major: Civil Eng. Student
MAIN TASK:
Find affordable and trustworthy transportation options to attend events and visit home multiple times per semester.
WANTS/NEEDS:
Wants access to cost-effective rides that simplify planning and booking.
Needs reliable transportation
Seeks reassurance of safety in shared travel.
FINDINGS:
Frequently travels home (4–5 times a semester) but doesn’t own a car.
Hesitant to engage in new options unless safety measures are clear.
User Statements
User Statements
In the survey, we asked what features they would like to see in a long-distance ride share app and this is what they wanted:
In the survey, we asked what features they would like to see in a long-distance ride share app and this is what they wanted:
“I want to message riders before the trip in case there's any questions."
“Mileage-based pricing suggestions would help me set fair prices as a driver."
"It would be cool to see what events are happening in Florida."
“I want to see seats and prices before I commit.”
“Real-time tracking would make me feel safer on long drives.”
“Verified student profiles would help me trust people I ride with.”
“I want to see seats and prices before I commit.”
“Real-time tracking would make me feel safer on long drives.”
"It would be cool to see what events are happening in Florida."
“I want to message riders before the trip in case there's any questions."
“Mileage-based pricing suggestions would help me set fair prices as a driver."
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
By researching alternative travel options, we identified opportunities for enhancing the GatorRide app within the current market.
By researching alternative travel options, we identified opportunities for enhancing the GatorRide app within the current market.
Key Takeaways &
Problem Statement
85%
of riders said they missed trips home due to buses being sold out or unaffordable.
65%
would hesitate to use ridesharing unless drivers or riders are verified and safety features are clear
Key Takeaways & Problem Statement
85%
of riders said they missed trips home due to buses being sold out or unaffordable.
65%
would hesitate to use ridesharing unless drivers or riders are verified and safety features are clear
How can we provide University of Florida students with a safe, affordable, and convenient transportation option for long-distance trips while fostering a sense of community?
Solution
Concept Exploration
“Hundreds of students are driving to the same places, during breaks or when big events happen around Florida. Riders can hitch a ride for much cheaper than usual, while drivers get their gas, mileage, and stops covered for trips they’d be making anyway.
Along the way, people make new friends, and everyone wins.”
Community Engagement
Match to rides for far popular events and create group chats.
Community Drives Adoption
Trust grows whenmake riders and drivers feel connected not transactional.
Exclusive Safety Measures
Student-specific: live tracking, edu verification, SOS, trusted circles.
Exlcsuive Access
Only UF students can join, ensuring a trusted community.
How can we provide University of Florida students with a safe, affordable, and convenient transportation option for long-distance trips while fostering a sense of community?
Solution
Concept Exploration
“Hundreds of students are driving to the same places, during breaks or when big events happen around Florida. Riders can hitch a ride for much cheaper than usual, while drivers get their gas, mileage, and stops covered for trips they’d be making anyway.
Along the way, people make new friends, and everyone wins.”
Community Engagement
Match to rides for far popular events and create group chats.
Community Drives Adoption
Trust grows whenmake riders and drivers feel connected not transactional.
Exclusive Safety Measures
Student-specific: live tracking, edu verification, SOS, trusted circles.
Exlcsuive Access
Only UF students can join, ensuring a trusted community.
IDEATION & DESIGNS
Lo-fi Prototypes
Lo-fi Prototypes
The process began with some sketches and wireframes to quickly explore core flows and layouts.
The process began with some sketches and wireframes to quickly explore core flows and layouts.
Hi-fi Prototypes
Hi-fi Prototypes
Next, we developed hi-fi prototypes to refine branding, layout, and overall design.
Next, we developed hi-fi prototypes to refine branding, layout, and overall design.
Sign In/Sign Up
Sign In/Sign Up
The sign-in page is simple and user-friendly, with clear input fields for “Username/UF Email” and “Password.” The friendly tagline, “Let’s hit the road gator!” adds a welcoming touch.
A “Forgot password?” link helps users recover access easily, while options to sign in with Google, Apple, or Facebook provide flexibility.
The sign-in page is simple and user-friendly, with clear input fields for “Username/UF Email” and “Password.” The friendly tagline, “Let’s hit the road gator!” adds a welcoming touch.
A “Forgot password?” link helps users recover access easily, while options to sign in with Google, Apple, or Facebook provide flexibility.
Active Ride
Trip lists with seats and prices help users decide fast
Tags highlight driver preferences and car details
Driver notes make trip details clear and easy
Mileage-based price suggestions for drivers keep trips fair
Maps show routes clearly for easy trip planning
Easily switch roles and enter trip details to match user needs
Active Ride
Real-Time Tracking: The live map visually displays the user’s location and the driver's progress, providing situational awareness.
Estimated Arrival Time: A countdown timer shows the driver’s arrival time, keeping users informed and reducing uncertainty.
QR Code Check-In: The QR code feature enables secure, contactless ride verification, enhancing safety and convenience.
Emergency Button: A prominently placed emergency button allows users to quickly alert authorities or request help, prioritizing user safety.
Real-Time Tracking: The live map visually displays the user’s location and the driver's progress, providing situational awareness.
Estimated Arrival Time: A countdown timer shows the driver’s arrival time, keeping users informed and reducing uncertainty.
QR Code Check-In: The QR code feature enables secure, contactless ride verification, enhancing safety and convenience.
Emergency Button: A prominently placed emergency button allows users to quickly alert authorities or request help, prioritizing user safety.
Explore/Community
Category Filters
Users can easily explore events by selecting different categories simplifying the discovery of activities that match their interests.
Quick Ride Access
The “Find a ride!” button directly connects users to transportation options, simplifying planning for the event.
Event Cards with Visuals
Each event card prominently displays images, dates, and locations, making it easy for users to scan and select events that catch their eye.
Save Feature
The star icon allows users to save events for future reference, making it easier to keep track of interesting activities.
Save Feature
The star icon allows users to save events for future reference, making it easier to keep track of interesting activities.
Event Cards with Visuals
Each event card prominently displays images, dates, and locations, making it easy for users to scan and select events that catch their eye.
Category Filters
Users can easily explore events by selecting different categories simplifying the discovery of activities that match their interests.
Quick Ride Access
The “Find a ride!” button directly connects users to transportation options, simplifying planning for the event.
Profile/Inbox
Profile Management: Users can view car details, payment info, FAQs, and language preferences for a personalized experience. Trip ratings are visible, and users can rate drivers and passengers after each trip to build trust.
Social Media & Badges: Profiles feature social media links and display badges and stats, like completed rides and total miles, highlighting activity and credibility.
Organized Inbox: The inbox offers pinned chats and a search function for quick, easy navigation.
Profile Management
Users can view car details, payment info, FAQs, and language preferences for a personalized experience. Trip ratings are visible, and users can rate drivers and passengers after each trip to build trust.
Social Media & Badges
Profiles feature social media links and display badges and stats, like completed rides and total miles, highlighting activity and credibility.
Organized Inbox
The inbox offers pinned chats and a search function for quick, easy navigation.
Reflections
Metrics of Success
Metrics of Success
User Adoption Rate: Track the number of registered users over time.
Engagement: Monitor the frequency of rides taken and community chat activity.
User Feedback: Survey users on app ease and safety.
Retention Rate: Analyze how many users continue using the app after their first ride.
User Adoption Rate: Track the number of registered users over time.
Engagement: Monitor the frequency of rides taken and community chat activity.
User Feedback: Survey users on app ease and safety.
Retention Rate: Analyze how many users continue using the app after their first ride.
With more time...
With more time...
Accessibility Enhancements
I would conduct A/B testing and usability studies to optimize navigation and refine features like trip ratings and profile management, ensuring a user-friendly interface.
A/B Testing & Usability
I’d focus on improving accessibility with better screen reader support and high-contrast modes, creating a more inclusive app experience.
A/B Testing & Usability
I’d focus on improving accessibility with better screen reader support and high-contrast modes, creating a more inclusive app experience.
Accessibility Enhancements
I would conduct A/B testing and usability studies to optimize navigation and refine features like trip ratings and profile management, ensuring a user-friendly interface.
A/B Testing & Usability
I’d focus on improving accessibility with better screen reader support and high-contrast modes, creating a more inclusive app experience.
Accessibility Enhancements
I would conduct A/B testing and usability studies to optimize navigation and refine features like trip ratings and profile management, ensuring a user-friendly interface.
A/B Testing & Usability
I’d focus on improving accessibility with better screen reader support and high-contrast modes, creating a more inclusive app experience.
Accessibility Enhancements
I would conduct A/B testing and usability studies to optimize navigation and refine features like trip ratings and profile management, ensuring a user-friendly interface.
A/B Testing & Usability
I’d focus on improving accessibility with better screen reader support and high-contrast modes, creating a more inclusive app experience.
Accessibility Enhancements
I would conduct A/B testing and usability studies to optimize navigation and refine features like trip ratings and profile management, ensuring a user-friendly interface.
What I Learned
What I Learned
Working on GatorRyde wasn’t just another school project; it was something I personally related to. Getting home or traveling to events was always pricey, stressful, and sometimes didn’t even feel safe, and I knew a lot of other students felt the same way. That’s what pushed me to design the app with those real experiences in mind. By the end, GatorRyde felt less like a generic ride-share app and more like a student-focused community where rides are affordable, safer, and even a way to connect with people going the same way.
Working on GatorRyde wasn’t just another school project; it was something I personally related to. Getting home or traveling to events was always pricey, stressful, and sometimes didn’t even feel safe, and I knew a lot of other students felt the same way. That’s what pushed me to design the app with those real experiences in mind.
By the end, GatorRyde felt less like a generic ride-share app and more like a student-focused community where rides are affordable, safer, and even a way to connect with people going the same way.