Inspiration
As university students, we noticed that navigation apps focus mainly on speed and distance, but not on how safe a route actually is. Walking alone at night or in unfamiliar areas can feel uncertain, and there is no simple way to evaluate safety before choosing a route.
We wanted to build a tool that helps people make better decisions by answering one key question: What is the safest way to get there right now?
What it does
SafeRoute is a prototype that allows users to enter a starting point and destination, then view multiple route options ranked by safety. Each route is given a safety score based on simulated factors such as lighting, activity level, and risk.
The system highlights the best route and provides simple explanations to help users understand why one route is safer than another.
How we built it
We built SafeRoute as a front-end prototype using:
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript A custom UI to simulate a map and route visualization A scoring system that ranks routes based on safety Interactive components that display recommendations and insights
Instead of using real APIs, we focused on building a clear and functional interface that demonstrates how the system would work.
Challenges we ran into
One of the main challenges was scope. Integrating real-time map and safety data was more complex than expected, especially within a limited timeframe.
We also spent a lot of time refining the layout and design to make the interface look clean and easy to understand. Small details like spacing, alignment, and responsiveness required multiple iterations.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We are proud of building a working prototype that clearly communicates our idea. The interface allows users to compare routes, understand safety differences, and interact with the system in a meaningful way.
We also improved the visual design significantly, making the project feel more like a real product rather than just a concept.
What we learned
Through this project, we learned how to take an idea and turn it into a functional prototype. We improved our skills in front-end development, design, and problem solving.
We also learned how important user experience is in making a product intuitive and useful.
What's next for SafeRoute
In the future, we would like to integrate real data sources such as crime reports, lighting conditions, and foot traffic. We also want to improve the safety scoring system and connect SafeRoute with real map services.
Our goal is to turn this prototype into a fully functional tool that helps people navigate cities more safely.
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