NB: This is a guest article by Stuart Lodge, director at RoundTheWorldFlights.
The UK government’s Foreign Office is testing a new online "Traffic Light" system for travel advice - but it does not go far enough.
The idea has already proven controversial with Iraq appearing, at first glance, as dangerous as Thailand.
But rather that sit on the sidelines, after triggering some of the debate around the issue in an earlier article for Tnooz [How governments can improve travel safety alerts through technology and social media], I thought it might be more constructive to design a perfect online travel alert.
First of all, the official test version looks a bit muddled (slightly confusing messages for Thailand, for example):
Here's my (admittedly, very poorly designed) wireframe alternative:
Here is an outline of all the elements I have included in the new design:
1. Can you travel?
"Yes" or "No" - two colours, green or red, very simple.
2. How dangerous?
This is probably the most controversial of my proposals, but possibly the most important.
In the words of the FCO:
"The 'don't go to' list of countries is broken down as follows: where we advise against all travel to the country; where we advise against all travel to parts of a country; where we advise against all but essential travel to a country and where we advise against all but essential travel to parts of a country."
Well I think the problem is in that breakdown. The new "Traffic Lights" system has thrown up some anomalies, such as Iraq appearing as dangerous as Thailand, but I believe a scale judging a country's "dangerousness" from one to ten would be a lot easier to read.
Every number could be defined, transparent and relevant.
For example:
- Sweden
- Dubai
- USA
- Russia
- Indonesia
- Thailand
- Iran
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Yemen
And although I like the idea of the Lodge Scale™, I do believe that we should call this the Hague Scale™ - it might have a better chance of being adopted, being named after the UK's foreign secretary William Hague.
3. Latest news
Important news stories up front and centre, above the fold.
4. Maps
I think everyone thinks maps would be a good idea. At the moment there is one on travel advice to Kenya. As guide book author Richard Trillo said on Twitter whilst discussing the latest Kenya advice:
"@FCOtravel know you're underfunded – but there needs to be a map for every country".
He's right. The real reason to get maps is that it's important to highlight regional issues within a country. Very important for the local economy
But as anyone who has ever designed a site knows maps can be expensive to design and update. Does anyone have experience on decent map programmes? Or maybe Google or Bing Maps might be willing to lend expertise?
5. Advice
It's there already. Just make it more accessible.
6. Twitter
It gets updated automatically. Keep it on the site. Useful and keeps the page fresh.
7. Facebook
Good way of sharing information for international tourists and travellers. Maybe alternate with FCO YouTube videos (which can be excellent).
8. News and tips
FCO advice can sometimes be too technical, and the new and ephemeral can often drown out the important. For example, folks not using helmets on scooters in Thailand is a major issue. Let's highlight that.
9. Changes
Flag up recent changes. Can be linked into the database. Not that difficult
10. Contact
Do you know what, there's actually a lot of good content on the FCO Travel site, intelligently thought out. Keep it. Just maybe rearrange it a little.
These is just my ideas. Anyone have anything else they’d rather see added or removed? Please comment below…
NB: This is a guest article by Stuart Lodge, director at RoundTheWorldFlights.