Team 11, EZ Transit

My Journey with the Transportation Training App for Refugees

Inspiration

I was inspired by Journey's End's mission to support refugees in becoming independent, contributing members of the community. Recognizing transportation as a critical factor in their integration, I aimed to address the challenge of navigating Buffalo's public transport system, especially considering language barriers and frequent housing transitions.

What I Learned

Throughout this project, I learned about the significant impact of transportation on refugees' ability to access essential services, secure employment, and participate in community activities. I also gained insights into the specific needs and obstacles faced by newly arrived refugees.

Building the Project

To create an app that simplifies public transport for refugees, I:

Designed a user-friendly interface featuring visual popups to guide users through the transport system.
Incorporated multilingual support to cater to diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Developed an interactive map with real-time updates to help users plan their journeys efficiently.
Included tutorial modules on using public transport, tailored to various learning speeds and preferences.

Challenges Faced

The major challenges included:

Overcoming language barriers to ensure the app is accessible to all refugees.
Integrating real-time data from Buffalo's public transport system.
Ensuring the app remains useful despite users' frequent housing relocations.

By focusing on these aspects, I aimed to create a tool that not only eases the transportation learning curve but also fosters greater independence and integration for refugees in Buffalo.