From user needs to technological design: a mobile application for urban public transport assistance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51247/t5x82t67Keywords:
urban mobility, public transport, mobile applications, applied technologyAbstract
Urban public transport faces challenges associated with the lack of clear information on routes, schedules, boarding points, and vehicle locations, which increases passenger uncertainty and limits trip planning. The objective of this article is to present the technological design of a mobile assistance application prototype for urban public transport users in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, based on needs identified among actual service users. The research was conducted from an applied research and technological development approach. Results from a survey administered to 474 public transport users were used as contextual input to identify information, orientation, and trip-planning needs. Based on these elements, functional and non-functional requirements, user and driver modules, client-server architecture, a Minimum Viable Product, and functional evaluation indicators were defined. The results show a design pathway that translates mobility needs into technological components aimed at route consultation, geolocation, route visualization, and vehicle tracking. The article contributes to the field of applied urban mobility by presenting a design pathway that links user needs with a technological solution aimed at improving informational assistance in urban public transport
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Copyright (c) 2026 José Refugio Castro-López, Julio César Macías-Villarreal, Juan Daniel Almanza-Zurita
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