A safety-first navigation app for pedestrians and cyclists — especially anyone walking alone at night. Real-time hazard alerts, crowdsourced safety data, and community-supported routes, not just the fastest way there.
The problem
Despite how widely navigation apps are used, pedestrian safety remains under-addressed — especially on night walks or in unfamiliar areas. Rerouting is optimized for speed, and users get no warning about isolated roads, poor lighting, or suspicious activity.
Even Google's Live View is nearly unusable at night because of low light — exactly when people need guidance most.
The goal: design an app that lets people walk or cycle with more confidence and control, especially at night or in unfamiliar areas.
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Research
Four research methods, all pointing to the same gap in everyday tools.
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Define — persona & empathy
Sarah, a student working late restaurant shifts, walks between transit stops through areas with uneven lighting and foot traffic. An empathy map of what users say, think, feel, and do kept her fears — and her need for independence — at the center.
Define — architecture & flow
The information architecture put safety alerts, crowdsourced reports, and emergency features in primary navigation. The core flow checks, at every step, whether the user is safe — and offers a safer route or a way to report the issue.
Design — wireframes
Wireframes tested how hazard alerts — road hazards, broken street lights, road closures — appear mid-route without pulling attention away from walking.
Key insight
— key findings from 64 survey responses, usability tests, and interviews with solo walkers
The solution
Data, community, and calm design — so people can make smarter decisions before they step out.
Reflection & takeaways
What started as a simple app idea grew into a mission to make walking feel less vulnerable and more empowered.
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