Apple Maps Parking
Timeline
Sep - Nov 2023
Role
Lead Product Designer
Sector
Navigation
Smart Mobility
Tasks
Research
Prototyping
Usability Testing
30% of city traffic congestion is caused by drivers looking for parking
Drivers spend an average of 8 minutes searching for parking in high-density areas
02
Find Parking based off of your parking duration needs
Easy to Access Parking Mode through Apple Maps
Find Available Parking through our Parking Map Filters
PROCESS OVERVIEW
User Interviews
We interviewed drivers across different ages and locations to uncover their biggest pain points, from permit zones to street-cleaning restrictions. These insights guided every design decision, ensuring we tackled real problems.
Miami, Florida
Age 51
Thousand Oaks, CA
Age 62
New York, New York
Age 31
Los Angeles, California
Age 32
Miami, Florida
Age 54
Geneva, Switzerland
Age 42
West Hollywood, CA
Age 34
Houston, Texas
Age 29
User Parking Pain Points
Street Cleaning
Confusing schedules lead to unexpected fines and parking scarcity.
Signage Clarity
Unclear or misleading signs force drivers to exit cars just to interpret rules.
Dynamic Needs
Changing plans, events, and errands demand adaptable parking options.
Paying for Parking
Disjointed apps create hassle and extra steps for quick, simple payments.
Metered Street Parking
Strict enforcement spikes anxiety over potential tickets and time limits.
Cost & Safety Concerns
Price-conscious users also prioritize secure parking in unfamiliar areas.
User Flow
We experimented with and designed dual entry points—before departure and en route—to capture both planners and spontaneous drivers.
Wireframes
Our low-fidelity sketches mapped out core functionalities like parking filters and street cleaning indicators. This stage aligned user needs with essential app elements for quick validation.
Prototype
Apple Maps Parking
The integrated parking feature in Apple Maps delivers clear parking intel, time-saving filters, and stress-free navigation—all in one place.
User Journey
Meet Meticulous Mia, who plans every aspect of her trips, and Spontaneous Simon, who jumps in the car and hopes for the best. Despite different approaches, both share a common hurdle: finding stress-free parking.
“I'd rather spend an hour planning now rather than face surprises later.”
-Meticulous Mia
"Life's too short to plan every little detail. I'll figure it out when I get there."
-Spontaneous Simon
Instant Access with a Single Tap.
A recognizable “P” icon launches the Parking Mode instantly. Users can dive into detailed parking options without disrupting their main navigation flow.
User Journey
Simon’s storyline highlights the chaos of last-minute parking, showing how on-the-fly solutions can still be stress-free. Apple Maps’ real-time data eases his journey from uncertainty to convenience.
Decoding Streets, Simplified.
Color-coded indicators highlight confusing parking rules at a glance. Users just tap a highlighted street for a quick rundown of restrictions and cleaning schedules.
This case study showcases how user-driven design can address real urban challenges. By deeply understanding driver pain points, I crafted a seamless parking solution that integrates effortlessly into Apple Maps. This project reinforced the value of user research, iterative design, and intuitive UX in solving everyday frustrations.
Testing & Iteration
User testing validated core features and uncovered usability hurdles, helping refine our parking solution.
80%
of test users would recommend the Apple Maps parking feature to others, praising the convenience of quickly finding parking spots.
Iteration: no change
90%
said accessing Parking Mode was straightforward, indicating our UI placement successfully blends with Apple Maps’ intuitive design
Iteration: no change
65%
reported that the parking filter changes on the map weren’t obvious enough
Iteration: prompting us to include bolder visual cues to highlight active filters.
40%
found it unclear how the parking feature integrates with standard navigation
Iteration: added a mini-onboarding tutorial to guide new users.
Storyboarding
We sketched a simple journey where Mia uses Apple Maps’ new parking filters to secure a spot before her doctor’s appointment. The storyboard shows how seeing parking availability upfront transforms a frustrating trip into a smooth one.
Mia has a doctor's appointment tomorrow in downtown and needs to plan her journey.
Frustrated, Mia struggles to find clear parking information online.
Mia has a moment of realization. Apple Map’s had an update and she sees a parking icon.
Darcy uses the filters in Apple Maps Parking Mode to find available parking for doctor’s visit.
The next day, Darcy knew her parking options and find a parking spot in a safe and convenient street parking
Thanks to Apple Maps, Darcy can now attend her Doctor appointment stress-free.
Filter, Find, Go
Use arrival time, cost, and duration filters to zone in on the ideal spot. Apple Maps displays the best parking options.
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MORE PROJECTS
Parking Feature Solutions
Parking Feature Map
Real-time availability and street status for quick decisions.
Detailed Parking Info Tab
Clear schedules, permit zones, and signage details at a glance.
Parking Type & Duration Filters
Tailor options by location, time, or length of stay.
Cost Filter & Apple Pay
One-tap payment and transparent pricing unify the parking experience.
Safety Rating System
See security insights before committing to a spot.
Parking Reservations
Pre-book spots in popular areas to avoid last-minute stress.