Canal Tracker

Not for profitCommunityMobile Application Development

Canal Tracker was a pioneering progressive app created in its early stages by myself and a fellow developer to address the daily frustrations of residents in Niagara Region due to unpredictable bridge closures on the Welland Canal. While there were existing alternatives, they were often outdated and clunky, leading us to realize a real need for an efficient, user-friendly solution.

From a project management perspective, this project required meticulous planning and coordination, particularly as we aimed to integrate real-time data with a seamless user experience. One of our initial challenges was coordinating with stakeholders to secure access to reliable data. We established a partnership with Marine Traffic, a Texas-based company specializing in global maritime activity tracking, to leverage their API. This involved setting clear project goals, managing expectations, and establishing effective communication channels to ensure that all technical and logistical details were aligned.

Key Points

  • The Problem: We noticed that commuters traveling across the Welland Canal were frequently caught off-guard by bridge closures, causing unexpected delays and frustration. Existing apps were difficult to navigate and lacked reliable, real-time updates. Recognizing this gap, we set out to create a more streamlined solution that would give users real-time, actionable information.
  • Partnership with Marine Traffic: To provide accurate and up-to-date ship movement information, we reached out to Marine Traffic, a Texas-based company specializing in global ship tracking. Through discussions, we explored options for integrating their API into our app, allowing us to provide users with live, second-by-second updates on ship locations and bridge status. This collaboration enabled us to deliver a truly real-time experience, transforming how commuters could anticipate and navigate bridge closures.

Key Challenges and Solutions

  • Real-Time Data: A major challenge was securing dependable real-time data on ship movements through the canal. To address this, we collaborated with Marine Traffic and integrated their API, allowing us to deliver accurate, live ship-tracking data. This ensured users could get up-to-the-minute updates on bridge closures.
  • User Experience Optimization: Since local commuters made up the primary audience, we prioritized creating an intuitive, easy-to-navigate app. We opted for a minimalist design, stripping away unnecessary features so that users could quickly access the essential information they needed with minimal effort.
  • Early Development Stage (Pre-Alpha): As Canal Tracker was still in pre-alpha, we were in the initial development and testing phases. This required frequent iterations to optimize the app’s ability to handle real-time data efficiently. We consistently gathered feedback from early test users to refine functionality, resolve bugs, and improve overall performance.

Beyond technical development, the project highlighted the importance of understanding user pain points and incorporating feedback loops to continuously improve the product. The app transformed how residents interacted with and planned their routes around the canal, reinforcing the impact of thorough project management, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to user-centric design.