Created in partnership with Caltrain, Explore is a mobile feature concept that extends the rider journey beyond transit through destination-based local discovery.
Timeline
6 weeks, 2024
Company
CalTrain x Stanford D School
Role & Team
Product Designer working with SWE
Responsibility
Worked across research, synthesis, and product design to shape the Explore feature concept and build out the UI.
The Challenge
Our team set out to identify where Caltrain could create the most meaningful value in the rider journey. Through need-finding research, we found that rider frustrations were not limited to transit logistics alone. The experience extended beyond getting on and off the train. Riders also needed better support for what happened before arrival and after arrival, especially when exploring unfamiliar neighborhoods or deciding what to do near their stop.
The Solution
Caltrain Explore, a feature embedded within the Caltrain mobile app that helps riders browse curated recommendations near their destination.
Swipe-Based Discovery: Users can easily browse curated local recommendations through a familiar, intuitive swipe interface.
Save & Share: Riders can bookmark favorite places, share them with friends, or plan group outings directly through the app.
Smart Recommendations: Content is tailored based on trip destination, time of day, and personal preferences over time.
Integrated Navigation: One-tap directions allow users to move from train platform to local businesses with ease.
Research
To understand the rider experience more deeply, our team conducted a need-finding process that included 45 interviews, contextual field visits, and ride-alongs on Caltrain routes.
This research surfaced recurring patterns in how people planned trips, navigated uncertainty, and interacted with nearby destinations once they arrived.
User Persona
The Destination Explorer
A composite rider who uses Caltrain to reach new destinations and wants easy, trustworthy guidance on what to do nearby once they arrive
45+ Interviews
Riders wanted a better way to discover nearby attractions, dining, and activities without switching between multiple tools or planning from scratch.
Design opportunity
Local exploration emerged as the strongest opportunity to create immediate value for riders, Caltrain, and surrounding communities.
Opportunity
The rider journey did not end at the station
Through 45 interviews, contextual field visits, and ride-alongs with Caltrain, our team found that riders needed more than transit updates. They also wanted a simple, trustworthy way to discover what was worth exploring near their destination.
Concept Exploration
After identifying local exploration as the strongest opportunity area, we explored multiple directions for how Caltrain could create value beyond transit.
Initial Prototypes
We moved forward with Explore because it offered the strongest combination of scalability, usability, and alignment with both commuter and business needs, while avoiding the heavier logistical complexity of the locker system.
Feasibility Analysis
After identifying local exploration as the strongest opportunity area, we explored multiple directions for how Caltrain could create value beyond transit.
Outcomes & Learnings
To understand the rider experience more deeply, our team conducted a need-finding process that included 45 interviews, contextual field visits, and ride-alongs on Caltrain routes.
This research surfaced recurring patterns in how people planned trips, navigated uncertainty, and interacted with nearby destinations once they arrived.
Deliverables
Showcased potential to improve Caltrain by connecting users to nearby attractions and businesses
Provided a scalable, user-focused framework for implementation