TTC Connect
TTS-Connect is a mobile application that provides seamless and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity on subway trains, enhancing the commuting experience for passengers.
Product Experience
Problem Space
Problem Statement
The lack of Wi-Fi connectivity on subway trains during travel presents a significant problem for commuters, affecting their productivity, communication, and access to essential online resources.
Problem Background
The target customers for TTS-Connect are subway commuters who face challenges due to the lack of reliable Wi-Fi connectivity on trains. If you are taking a ride from the first station to Downtown, that's around 45-60 minutes to get from Vaughan station to Union. That can be around 2 hours of commute every day for some people with no access to the internet. The problem is that current Wi-Fi availability is very limited and only available at subway stations, hindering productivity, communication, and access to online information. Through user feedback and market research, we have identified the need for a robust and seamless Wi-Fi solution on subway trains.
Research Insights
User Pain Points
We have conducted around 5 interviews and collected surveys from more than 10 people. The main pain points for subway commuters were the inability to access important online information, disrupted communication, decreased productivity, and overall frustration due to the lack of Wi-Fi connectivity on trains.
Supporting Data
- More than 90% of the people we spoke to mentioned that they are not happy about the lack of Wi-Fi connectivity.
- More than 82% voted and shared during interviews that the absence of Wi-Fi affects their productivity to a certain degree.
Feedback
Our preliminary user research to validate this problem with TTC commuters found that Wi-Fi connectivity on subway trains could significantly improve their ability to stay more productive, stay connected with their loved ones and have access to entertainment that requires internet connectivity such as Netflix, Sportify.
Landing on the Solution
Based on our target users' pain points, we knew we wanted to work on the following features: seamless Wi-Fi connectivity with speeds up to 75 Mbit/s, robust infrastructure, easy authentication, and comprehensive coverage across the subway network.
Explanation of Solution
This will require building new infrastructure across the whole Subway map. We can easily start just with one main University line. It will require building Intener towers or stations on each subway station and then installing access points on each train.
Future Steps
This is what we learned from speaking to customers: Wi-Fi connectivity is a critical factor in improving the overall commuting experience. As a next step, we plan to explore opportunities to partner with subway operators, TTC and big telecom companies to discuss the idea and conduct pilot testing on select subway trains to evaluate the performance and gather further user feedback. We then should extend the TTC Connect service to other modes of public transportation.”
Possible additional problems to address: Based on user feedback, we may consider exploring ways to integrate personalized content and entertainment options during the commute to further enhance the user experience.
Learnings
Product Manager Learnings:
Dzhakhongir Teshaev
Designer Learnings:
Designer Learnings:
Jo Sturdivant
- Adapting to an Established Team: Joining the team in week 6 of 8 was challenging, as I had to quickly adapt to existing workflows, dynamics, and goals. This mirrors real-world situations where you often integrate into teams mid-project, and flexibility is essential.
- Work-Blocking for Efficiency: With only two weeks to complete the project, I learned the importance of a structured work-blocking system. This approach allowed me to manage my time effectively and meet deadlines under pressure.
- Making Data-Driven Design Decisions: Unlike my past projects, I had to rely on research conducted by others. This was a valuable experience in using pre-existing data to guide design decisions, helping me focus on the core insights without starting from scratch.
Developer Learnings:
Developer Learnings:
Vanady Beard
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As the back-end developer, I learned how important it is to create efficient and reliable systems that support the entire application. This experience also taught me the importance of optimising the database and ensuring the backend is scalable and easy to maintain.
Developer Learnings:
Stephen Asiedu
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As a back-end developer, I've come to understand the importance of being familiar with various database systems and modules. This knowledge enables me to build diverse applications and maintain versatility in my work. I've also learned that the responsibility for making the right choices rests on my shoulders, guided by my best judgement.
Developer Learnings:
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Developer Learnings:
Maurquise Williams
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- Process of Creating an MVP: Developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) taught me how to focus on delivering core functionalities balancing between essential features and avoiding scope creep.
- Collaboration in a Real-World Tech Setting: This experience taught me how to collaborate efficiently in a fast-paced tech environment, keeping the team aligned and productive, even while working remotely across time zones.
- Sharpening Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: This experience honed my ability to think critically and solve problems efficiently. By tackling challenges and finding quick solutions, I sharpened my decision-making and troubleshooting skills in a dynamic, real-world setting.
Developer Learnings:
Jeremiah Williams
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All in all this experience was very awesome I learned that in coding with others being transparent is key
Developers Learnings:
Justin Farley
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I learned how important communication is when working with a team. Communication provides understanding, advice, ideas, and much more. While working with the product team, I’ve found that communication keeps everything flowing smoothly. Working with a team also showed me that every member brings something different to the table and we all have to work together in order to align and meet our end goal.