Planner with a passion for public transit and active transportation.

Transportation Planning

Assisting in the deployment of regional household travel and on-board transit surveys; conducting literature reviews on survey methodologies, specifically related to performance measurement for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and the effect of sample size on survey costs; editing GPS field data; and developing a statewide pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure database.

As part of a USDOT-funded research effort from the University Transportation Centers program, I investigated, alongside Dr. Michael D. Meyer, the institutional and organizational barriers to promoting regional transit fare integration and service coordination in metro Atlanta. This research included conducting case studies of peer regions similar to Atlanta, including San Francisco, and ultimately provided both short- and long-term recommendations to facilitate seamless regional transit trips. My thesis focused on next generation fare collection systems that utilize open payment technologies and/or mobile ticketing applications to provide added convenience for riders while reducing fare collection costs to transit agencies. In order to identify the variety of approaches to, and reasons for, upgrading fare collection systems, I interviewed transit agency personnel in four cities and combed through RFPs and Concepts of Operations documents. The result of this effort was a synthesis of lessons from the case studies and a list of strategies, informed by Atlanta operator interviews, designed to move the metro Atlanta region forward in upgrading its current BREEZE system.

As an intern, I conducted a comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle accessibility assessment for all 38 heavy rail stations. This effort consisted of surveying the enclosed station areas, as well as the quarter-mile walk shed within the surrounding neighborhoods, and noting any issues related to sidewalks (cracks and gaps in continuity), crosswalks (absence or lack of visibility), ADA ramps (absence, presence of truncated domes and proper slope) and bike facilities. After performing the necessary field work, I compiled a general inventory of the existing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure (both on and off MARTA property) and, based on the issues noted on the ground, assessed different methods for enhancing non-automobile connectivity. Finally, I recommended a program of improvement projects and also identified various existing funding sources that could be used to implement these recommendations. It should be noted that a number of these connectivity and accessibility enhancements will soon be realized thanks to a matching grant from Georgia DOT.

As an intern for the transit coordination body within Atlanta's MPO (ARC), I analyzed metro Atlanta’s regional transit ridership from 2000-2010 using individual operator data provided through the National Transit Database and presented regional ridership observations and relevant recommendations to the RTC Board. I also collaborated on the transit expansion project evaluation framework for the Long-Range Transportation Plan used for the agency's MPO certification through FTA. Additionally, I prepared operator overviews and fleet summary tables; contributed recommendations to the regional transit fleet and facilities plan and assessed discrepancies in cost estimates for a commuter rail line. Lastly, I assisted local transit agency personnel from various jurisdictions and served as ARC’s representative at meetings with local operators and GDOT.

As an intern within the Office of Transit System Planning, I performed general spatial analysis for the bus network using ArcGIS and conducted site visits. My major project was the development of a bus route atlas that was used to communicate system-wide service changes to the riding public and front line agency staff (station attendants). As part of this effort, I also personally attended these hearings and assisted riders in understanding the new service changes. Additionally, I conducted a bus stop analysis to identify signage and passenger amenity changes that were necessary to implement a major bus network restructuring. Within this project, I developed an inventory of existing bus bay and way-finding signage for all heavy rail stations and park/ride lots. In order to assist in the implementation of the new signage recommended based on the inventory, I geocoded each bus stop at every rail station and produced station maps within ArcGIS that included detailed installation instructions for the new signage. To assist riders with the bus stop changes, I wrote directions to local civic attractions based on the restructured bus routes. While I finished my full-time duties by mid-August, I remained part-time until Spring semester began.