About

Starting Semester: Fall 2025
Assigned: No
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia Tech Parking and Transportation Services

Client Profile

Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) is responsible for managing all aspects of campus parking, including parking garages, surface lots, street parking, and the annual permitting process. In addition, PTS oversees campus transportation services, which include fixed-route bus operations, student paratransit services, and Night On-Demand transportation.

PTS also manages bike infrastructure within campus parking facilities, as well as electric vehicle (EV) charging stations located in both garages and surface lots.

Project Description

Scope of Work:

Paratransit Service Operations Enhancement for Students with Disabilities



Overview:

This Scope of Work outlines an operational assessment and improvement plan for the paratransit service provided to students with permanent and temporary disabilities. The service currently operates from 7:30 AM to 7:45 PM, staffed by two full-time, 12-month drivers and one full-time, 10-month driver (August–May). The service is primarily intended to provide accessible transportation to and from academic classes.



Problem Statement:

The current paratransit service for students is constrained by several operational and logistical challenges. A manual scheduling process—requiring students to submit ride requests via email using Excel—places a significant administrative burden on the Transit Operations Manager and increases the risk of scheduling inefficiencies. Additionally, the service is limited to academic-related trips due to staffing constraints, preventing students from using it for other important needs such as campus employment, social events, or access to essential campus facilities.



Students have expressed interest in broader service options, but current limitations in scheduling flexibility, staff capacity, and accessible campus infrastructure hinder the program’s responsiveness. Accessibility challenges, including limited vehicle access to certain areas and a lack of designated accessible stops, further compromise the effectiveness and inclusivity of the service.



This project will explore operational improvements and service enhancements to address these issues, with the goal of creating a more efficient, equitable, and user-friendly paratransit system for the campus community.



Objectives:

• Streamline scheduling and dispatch operations

• Improve service coverage and flexibility

• Address accessibility and infrastructure limitations

• Explore opportunities for expanding service scope

• Ensure equitable and responsive service to all eligible students

Skills

Systems Thinking: Ability to assess how service changes impact broader university operations, student experience, and accessibility.

Technical Tools: Knowledge of mobile app integration or user interface design (for improving/implementing scheduling/rider request systems).

Transportation Planning Knowledge: Understanding of paratransit operations, ADA requirements, and university transportation systems. Some familiarity with demand-responsive transit models.

Data Analysis & Visualization: Proficiency in tools like Excel, R, Python, or Tableau for analyzing service data (e.g., ridership, on-time performance, wait times). Ability to interpret and visualize data to inform decision-making

GIS and Spatial Analysis: Experience using GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) to map service areas, analyze coverage gaps, and identify high-demand zones.

Communication & Reporting: Strong written and verbal communication skills to present findings and recommendations clearly to various audiences (e.g., students, administrators, service providers).

Project Management: Ability to manage timelines, coordinate stakeholders, and track deliverables throughout the project lifecycle.