FSTA
Helping fuel users find the nearest and most reliable fuel stations, faster, smarter, and with real-time updates.
Clients
Digprom Internship
Timeline
6 Weeks
Service
Mobile app
Tools
Figma, Figjam
FSTA is a mobile application designed to help drivers quickly find nearby filling stations and access real-time information about fuel availability. Rather than functioning as just another station locator, FSTA was conceived as an information platform that reduces uncertainty and helps users make informed decisions during periods of fuel scarcity. By surfacing timely updates on station status and fuel availability, the experience shifts users away from relying on rumors and unnecessary trips toward more confident decision-making.
FSTA was built primarily for private vehicle owners, commercial drivers, ride-hailing drivers, and motorcyclists who frequently encounter the challenges associated with fuel scarcity. These users often need answers while on the move and value reliability, speed, and simplicity over feature-heavy experiences. Secondary users included filling station operators who needed a lightweight way to update whether their stations were open and actively dispensing fuel.
As the sole designer on the project, I was responsible for the entire product experience, from research and strategy to information architecture, wireframing, interface design, prototyping, and usability testing. Every decision was intentionally made to balance user needs with the operational realities of filling station managers.
At first glance, fuel scarcity appeared to be the root problem. However, after observing user behavior and speaking with drivers, I realized that the bigger issue was uncertainty. People often spent hours moving from station to station without knowing which locations had fuel or whether they were even open. Most relied on social media posts, WhatsApp groups, or word of mouth, which frequently provided outdated or inaccurate information. Users were not struggling to find stations—they were struggling to find trustworthy information.
The challenge wasn't simply helping users discover filling stations. Drivers needed visibility into fuel availability before leaving home, while filling stations needed a simple way to communicate updates without introducing operational complexity. Existing solutions focus heavily on navigation but fail to answer the questions users care about most: Is the station open? Are they dispensing fuel? Is it worth driving there? Because providing real-time updates traditionally requires complex infrastructure, users have continued to rely on unreliable channels for information.
Rather than attempting to replace maps or create a sophisticated inventory system, I focused on providing the information users valued most. FSTA allows users to search for nearby stations, filter them by fuel type, availability, and price, and receive notifications when fuel becomes available nearby. On the business side, station managers only need to indicate whether their stations are open and whether fuel is available. By keeping the system lightweight, the product remains practical and easy to maintain.
I approached the project through a structured UX process that began with qualitative interviews to understand behaviors and frustrations. After identifying recurring themes, I validated those findings through quantitative research to ensure they represented broader user needs. I then conducted comparative analysis to identify gaps in existing solutions, structured the information architecture around speed and clarity, designed the interface, and validated the experience through usability testing.
Through interviews with drivers and vehicle owners, I explored how people searched for fuel and what made the experience frustrating. I discovered that users already knew where many filling stations were located, but they lacked confidence in whether those stations were actually dispensing fuel. Participants repeatedly mentioned wasting time visiting multiple stations and relying on social media updates that often turned out to be inaccurate. The interviews revealed that certainty mattered more than navigation, and that users valued quick access to information above everything else.
Using simple yes-or-no survey questions, I discovered that a large majority of participants had previously driven to stations only to discover fuel was unavailable. Many admitted spending more than thirty minutes searching during scarcity periods, while most relied on friends and social media for updates. An overwhelming majority indicated they would use an application capable of providing real-time fuel availability information. These findings confirmed that the problem was rooted in information accessibility rather than location awareness.
By analyzing existing solutions such as Google Maps and Waze, I found that while these platforms excel at navigation, they provide little visibility into fuel availability. Users can easily locate stations, but they still lack the information required to make informed decisions. This revealed an opportunity for FSTA to differentiate itself by focusing on real-time status updates and decision support rather than traditional navigation.
I designed the experience around the assumption that users needed answers quickly. The home screen surfaces nearby filling stations and their availability status, allowing users to understand the situation at a glance. Search and filtering capabilities help users narrow results based on fuel type, availability, and price. Detailed station pages provide essential information without overwhelming users, while notifications alert them when fuel becomes available nearby. For station managers, I intentionally designed a lightweight dashboard that only requires updating whether the station is open or closed and whether fuel is available. Limiting responsibilities reduces friction and increases the likelihood of consistent participation.
During usability testing, participants were asked to locate nearby stations, identify those dispensing PMS, compare prices, and enable notifications. Users completed tasks quickly and consistently understood station status without guidance. Testing revealed that filters needed to be more visible, prompting adjustments to their placement. It also became clear that station availability indicators required stronger visual emphasis, leading to clearer status labels and more noticeable color distinctions. These refinements improved speed and reduced cognitive effort.
The biggest business problem was information inefficiency. Users wasted time and fuel because they lacked access to reliable updates, while filling stations had no simple way to communicate their operational status. FSTA bridges this gap without requiring complex systems or significant changes to existing workflows. By reducing uncertainty, the platform helps users make better decisions while increasing visibility for stations.
Although advanced capabilities such as inventory tracking and traffic monitoring could provide additional value, implementing them would require significant infrastructure and partnerships. Most filling stations also lack the resources to maintain complex systems. To work within these constraints, the solution focuses on a lightweight model where station managers only update whether fuel is available and whether the station is open. This approach minimizes operational burden while still delivering meaningful value to users.
The solution improves access to timely information and reduces uncertainty, but its effectiveness depends on station managers providing accurate updates. Delayed information could negatively impact trust. However, limiting manager interactions to only a few simple actions increases the likelihood of consistent participation. Rather than prioritizing feature complexity, the design deliberately favors simplicity and usability.
Usability testing demonstrated that participants could complete key tasks quickly and with minimal assistance. Users consistently described the experience as intuitive and easy to understand, while most expressed confidence in relying on the platform during fuel scarcity. The results suggested that providing clear and timely information significantly improved decision-making and reduced the frustration associated with searching for fuel.
This project reinforced that the real challenge during fuel scarcity isn't always access to fuel itself, but access to trustworthy information. I learned that users don't necessarily need more features, they need more certainty. More importantly, I discovered that designing within constraints often leads to simpler and more practical solutions. By focusing on clarity and reducing cognitive effort, I was able to transform a stressful experience into one that supports confidence and informed decision-making.
Thank you for your time :)
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