Improving Tourists’ Trust and Engagement
on Google Maps
By enhancing walking navigation with Smart Route Suggestions, Safety Indicators, and Local Insights tailored to travelers’ needs
Summary
We designed a Travel Mode with smart route suggestions, safety insights, a crime rate heatmap,
and emergency access, aimed at improving clarity and traveler confidence.
Smart route suggestion
Total trip: 57 min
Done
9:41
Travel mode is on
Sponsored
Dediko
4.3
(206)
1.2km
Restaurant
Open
Closes 22:00
Ресторан грузинської кухні
business.google.com/
Visit Site
Direction
Menu
Website
Call
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Sponsored
[Name]
[1.0-5.0]
(Qnty)
[Distance]
[Type]
Open
Closes [Time]
[Text]
[Link]
Visit Site
Direction
Menu
Website
Call
Share
Explore
You
Your location
Place Name
20 min
32 min
9:41
Travel Mode is ON
15 min
7
min
18
min
15
min
5
min
🚨
Area’s Crime Rate
20
Min
Arrive 7:15 PM
0.7 mi
7 ft .
3 ft .
Mostly used route
Mostly Flat
Low Foot Traffic
Well-Lit Route
10
Reports
15
Min
Arrive 7:15 PM
Steep Incline
Low Foot Traffic
Poorly Lit
10
Reports
32
Min
Arrive 7:15 PM
Hilly
Low Foot Traffic
Poorly Lit
10
Reports
Walk
Sponsored
Dediko
4.3
(206)
1.2km
Restaurant
Open
Closes 22:00
Ресторан грузинської кухні
business.google.com/
Visit Site
Direction
Menu
Website
Call
Share
Sponsored
[Name]
[1.0-5.0]
(Qnty)
[Distance]
[Type]
Open
Closes [Time]
[Text]
[Link]
Visit Site
Direction
Menu
Website
Call
Share
Explore
You
9:41
Travel mode is on
Your location
Place Name
Walk
8 min
32 min
32 min
32 min
High crime rate
Mostly flat
3h
33m
Arrive 5:53PM
.
via Linkol’na St
16 Km
.
.
Start
Add stops
Save
32 min
32 min
🚨
🚨
7
min
18
min
15
min
5
min
🚨
Show Crime Rate
15
Min
Arrive 7:15 PM
0.7 mi
7 ft .
3 ft .
See Reports (10)
Mostly used route
Well lit
22
Min
Arrive 7:15 PM
0.7 mi
7 ft .
3 ft .
See Reports (10)
Medium lightness
10
Min
Arrive 7:15 PM
0.7 mi
7 ft .
3 ft .
See Reports (10)
Low lightness
Walk
3 Crimes reported
More Info
🚨
Context
I collaborated with a team of 2 product designers to improve the tourist experience by creating a more personalized journey for travelers.
Our focus was on Tourist , aiming to boost retention through features like custom travel mode, and safer walking navigation.
My Role
Product Designer
User research and User interface design
Team
2 UX/UI Designers + Mentor
Timeline
May - July 2025
Tools
Figma, FigJam, Meet
Problem to Solve
Tourists often struggle to assess route safety and clarity in unfamiliar areas, leading to confusion, stress, and missed opportunities for confident navigation and exploration.
🧩
Design Consideration: Supporting Less Tech-Savvy and Older Users
We considered the needs of older and less tech-savvy users, whose challenges align with Nila and Nico, especially around clarity, confidence, and ease of use.
Our solutions focus on simple, safe, and stress-free navigation in unfamiliar places.