Type: Transportation Studies
Project Name: Intra-Campus Shuttle & Transportation Program
City: College Park
State: MD
Client: University of Maryland at College Park

Features: DESMAN was contracted by the University of Maryland at College Park to perform an assessment for the current transportation system and make recommendations for improvement of the system based on several goals:
- Meet the access needs of a growing off-campus student population
- Improve circulation throughout the campus
- Improve the integration of on-campus transportation services with off-campus services (Metro line and rail)
- Reduce the utilization of personal vehicles for intra-campus circulation
- Reduce the pressure to develop additional on-campus parking facilities

Description: Through the detail study of land use activity, an evaluation of the current shuttle fleet capabilities and campus roadway capabilities, and through and understanding of the University’s strategic master plan, DESMAN worked with University staff in the development and evaluation of eight (8) alternative intra-campus systems/routes. The pros and cons of each alternative were weighted using an “evaluation matrix”. Criteria items include operating costs, additional fleet requirements, walking distances to shuttle stops, number of shuttle spaces, off-campus intercept options, and the rout’s ability to meet headway requirements (8 minutes max.). To this end, a bi-direction figure eight system was developed. Once accepted, DESMAN estimated additional fleet vehicle costs, annual operating costs, and the route’s maximum passenger capacity.