Blueplan: Safer travel app for iPhone and iPad

What is Blueplan?
Blueplan helps young people to plan and carry out journeys independently. It guides them through the key questions of – Where are you going? How will you get there? What will you need? How can you get some help? The app then produces a plan and pre-departure checklist for the traveller. Updates throughout the journey help parents and carers to deal with their natural anxiety about young people and travel by providing them with an outline plan and updates as the young person makes their way. Trusted contacts nominated by the young person and approved by the parent allow help and advice to be easily sought when needed.

Who is Blueplan for?
Blueplan is primarily intended for use by young people and their immediate support network. This network may be composed of parents, guardians, other family members, carers or educators. The young person downloads the Blueplan app from the app store and uses it to plan journeys. The trusted contact uses a separate app to review journey plans and receive updates at key stages. The app may also be used in an educational context to teach planning skills in a structured manner.

How do you use Blueplan?
After downloading the app the young person nominates contacts in the following categories:
- Friends: who can be contacted should the traveller need some support or advice (Green group)
- Trusted contacts: supportive adults who could be contacted for an intervention or advice and support if the traveller encounters some minor difficulties. (Amber group)
- Parents or carers: adults who will take immediate action to help if the traveller encounters problems. (Red group)
The app then guides the traveller through the journey planning process and sets up a pre-departure checklist for the journey. Throughout the journey, the traveller is provided with a set of options based on their location, journey status, and additional needs pre-determined in the app.
The guided decision-making process is designed to help young people learn the key aspects of travel and allows parents to manage their anxiety by giving them confidence in the app’s planning process, and allowing them to check the traveller’s progress. The app builds confidence, reduces risk and enables young people and parents to work together to increase independence.