Project Overview
A local app made by Victorians, for Victorians, arevo is the smarter way to get around town. We’re talking real-time, stars-align journey planning. Maps. Bike routes. Car parks. Petrol prices. Live public transport information so you’re not left shaking your fist at the last service you missed. And the best part? Our love don’t cost a thing. It’s free to download on both iOS and Android.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Project Brief
To help fulfil a strategy of improving the lives of Victorians by addressing their needs in the areas of mobility, home and leisure, RACV launched the one-stop shop transport app ‘arevo’ in 2019.
Its central feature, a personalised journey planner, enables the user to set their preferences to either the fastest, cheapest or greenest route to reflect a path that suits their lifestyle.
Due to the level of interest in arevo during its pilot phase, RACV wanted a partner who could help improve the in-app experience for customers and achieve greater flexibility for new feature implementation.
Transpire was chosen thanks to a track record of helping customers evaluate and enhance existing digital products using an evidence-based approach to design and development.
Kicking off in February 2020, the project took place against the backdrop of an unprecedented global pandemic. For both RACV and Transpire, this meant working 100% remotely from discovery through to delivery.
Project Need
In order to gain a better understanding of the direction RACV wanted to pursue with arevo, Transpire’s UX team conducted a workshop where key challenges were turned into potential opportunities. This helped define the product vision for arevo as:
“How might we provide Victorians a personalised and intuitive product to help them plan, pay-for, and access the most relevant modes of transport for their journey?”
As part of the same workshop, RACV and Transpire worked collaboratively to define the project’s design principles:
- Promoting the product vision: This would be the primary job to be done over other features and functionality.
- Following Google Material Design: This cross-platform design pattern translates well on both iOS and Android, enables consistency across design and code, enhances brand expression and is accessibility tested across all components.
- Following Apple and Android Guidelines: Originally it was proposed that the application be developed using the React Native framework. But due to the nature of arevo, where user experience and deep integration with smartphone functionality (GPS, personal data security etc.) took precedence, both Transpire and RACV decided to go Native.
- Following universal design best practices: To ensure the app meets at least AA conformance with WCAG 2.0 accessibility guidelines for a more inclusive experience.
User Experience
Throughout the design and development of key features and functionality, Transpire conducted usability testing to validate hypotheses and assumptions. Initially this utilised interactive prototypes using the vector graphics editor Sketch and product design platform InVision. Once a beta version of the app was available on mobile devices, representative users were recruited for more comprehensive testing.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria, our usability testing took place remotely. Although this presented a number of challenges, Transpire continued to apply the same academic-level rigour to this process for high-quality recommendations without compromise.
Where possible, Transpire utilised existing RACV tools, systems and platforms for greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness. A range of common technologies that both iOS and Android could use were also deployed to make future development and updates easier.
To ensure consistency across iOS and Android, development teams for each platform were in constant communication throughout development. Even though their architecture differed, things like business logic could remain the same to save time, effort and resources.
This reaped several rewards when it came to testing, as the architecture was designed and provisioned in a way to allow for maximum flexibility. As always, Transpire assesses the product under test to determine where automated test coverage would best suit.
Project Marketing
arevo aims to offer something for every Melburnian to make their journey more efficient, with highlights including a myki top-up, RACV Car Share, Melbourne Bike Share, Uber or taxi options and carpark recommendations.
"Melbourne is fortunate enough to be teeming with many transport options like trains, trams, buses, bikes and cars. Everyone has their preferred way of getting around and RACV is here to assist with that journey - be it in a car, on bicycle, by foot or public transport," said RACV General Manager for Mobility, Elizabeth Kim.
"RACV is taking steps to ensure that Victorians can move freely and easily to where they need to be. The features of the app are designed to appeal to all Melburnians - whether you love to walk, you're seeking the cheapest route or wish to drive your car - there truly is something for everyone."
Developed as part of the Mobility as a Service model, arevo is designed to revolutionise how Melburnians travel.
"Beyond assisting Melburnians get where they need to be efficiently and easily, there is a long-term vision of arevo easing congestion and encouraging more sustainable travel modes. With just one user-friendly app, Melburnians will have access to the various transport options across Melbourne and may even be inspired to make the switch to other urban transport options," Elizabeth said.
Project Privacy
https://www.transpire.com/privacy-policy/
https://www.arevo.com.au/arevo/privacy-notice.html
Tags
Digital - Travel
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