Jack Reports is a mobile app used by professional truck drivers across the United States. It provides detailed, real-time information about weigh stations, road conditions, and other compliance-related data to help drivers stay informed and avoid unnecessary delays.

Problem

The app was initially launched as an AI-driven, community-supported database of truck-specific places. Drivers used it for trip planning but switched to conventional navigation apps while driving. This led to frequent distractions when checking place status updates.

From a business perspective, this limited the time drivers spent in the app, reducing opportunities for engagement, community contributions, and potential monetisation. The design challenge was to create a new navigation mode that keeps drivers engaged without distracting them from the road.

Research

To reimagine the map as a more driver-centric navigation tool, we looked at how people visualised and navigated road networks long before smartphones and GPS. One fascinating reference was the Tabula Peutingeriana—a Roman map that deliberately distorts geography to highlight the connections between places, prioritising clarity over accuracy.

Another source of inspiration came from early 20th-century automobile navigation devices like the Plus Fours Routefinder and the Iter-Avto. These analog scroll-based systems guided drivers using pre-printed, linear routes—essentially paper maps on a roll. In the 1930s, the Italian Touring Club went even further, connecting the map roll to a speedometer—it was the first device to track the driver’s real-time position.

Together, these historical references shaped the idea of a more abstract, unidirectional road view in Jack Reports.

Solution

Through user interviews, we explored the needs, preferences, and unique constraints truckers face. They can’t park or turn wherever they want, and their primary focus is getting to their destination with minimal distraction. The funny thing is that, unlike regular car drivers, truckers usually don’t care what’s happening to the left of the road—because they can’t get there fast enough anyway.

We’re introducing the Highway mode, a new way to help truckers focus on what matters most:

1. 🚚  The shortest route to the destination
2. 🚔  Police inspections ahead
3. 📦  Weigh station schedules and cargo requirements
4. ⛔️  State borders with estimated waiting times
5. 🚧  Road accidents, dangerous zones, and bridge clearances
6. ➡️  Highway exits and rest areas available on the right

The app offers two modes:

1. Highway mode, a newly introduced, simplified, and focused view of essential points along the route.
2. Conventional map view, a detailed look at the entire route and nearby places.

Drivers can also check details, status updates, and reports from other community members and officials.

The app’s UI design was inspired by the brutal yet fascinating layouts and iconic typography of American road signs.

Results

The introduction of Highway mode significantly transformed how truck drivers used Jack Reports:

• Session duration increased by 75%, with drivers spending an average of 28 minutes per session.
• User retention grew by 37%, as the app became an essential tool for daily navigation.
• Community contributions doubled, with a 120% increase in real-time updates shared by drivers.
• NPS improved by 15 points, highlighting the enhanced user experience.
• Subscription rates rose by 28%, driven by the added value of the Highway mode.