{"id":66418,"date":"2025-03-27T07:41:40","date_gmt":"2025-03-27T11:41:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/?p=66418"},"modified":"2025-04-07T08:39:17","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T12:39:17","slug":"utc-innovation-lab-students-hit-the-road-with-ideas-to-improve-chattanoogas-transit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/03\/utc-innovation-lab-students-hit-the-road-with-ideas-to-improve-chattanoogas-transit\/","title":{"rendered":"UTC Innovation Lab students hit the road with ideas to improve Chattanooga\u2019s transit\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"CARTA's

CARTA’s Chief of Staff Scott Wilson speaks with students in Dr. Jordan King’s Innovation Lab. Photo by Angela Foster.<\/p><\/div>\n

Students in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga\u2019s Innovations in Honors program<\/span> are changing the city\u2019s transportation game.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As part of Dr. Jordan King\u2019s Innovation Lab, <\/span>housed in the UTC Honors College<\/span>, students have spent the <\/span>2024-25 academic year<\/span> coming up with ideas and working with the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) to address issues in Chattanooga\u2019s public transit system.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier in the school year, students met with CARTA representatives and leadership to discuss potential ideas. CARTA <\/span>personnel then visited<\/span> the Innovation Lab classroom to hear their proposals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To cap off the <\/span>experience<\/span>, the students will <\/span>soon<\/span> share their ideas at Chattanooga\u2019s City Hall.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe students have gone from feeling like they\u2019re students at the beginning of the year to now feeling like they\u2019re consultants, partners and collaborators with CARTA,\u201d King said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He explained that each student group contributes differently\u2014with some focusing on gathering data, others testing solutions and some implementing ideas like social media campaigns to strengthen connections between UTC and CARTA.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea is that every group does something that at least helps make something possible in the future,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Catherine

Catherine Wood (brown jacket) and AJ Galluzzi present to CARTA personnel.<\/p><\/div>\n

One student group includes <\/span>Catherine Wood and AJ Galluzzi\u2014whose work involves identifying ways to increase awareness and accessibility of CARTA\u2019s free downtown shuttle service.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt the very beginning of the year, CARTA gave us a list of all the problems they had. They were just like, \u2018Here\u2019s everything. Fix it,\u2019 <\/span>explained Wood, a sophomore modern and classical languages and literatures major from Chattanooga.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Their group chose to focus on the shuttle system by improving outdated maps, creating more accessible routes and raising public awareness about the service.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of people don\u2019t know the shuttle system is actually free to use,\u201d Wood said. \u201cHowever, the maps are super outdated and hard to get around.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Early in the process, they realized some of their proposed routes were physically impossible due to the size and movement of the bus, while others were too costly due to funding constraints.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe started with the idea of making new routes and spent a little over a month thinking about how we can make it work,\u201d said Galluzzi, a senior from Nashville majoring in both economics and finance. \u201cWhen we met with CARTA, one of the people said, \u2018We looked at your routes and one of them we can\u2019t do because the shuttle system can\u2019t make that turn.\u2019<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnother one said, \u2018This route is long and we really want to do it, but we don\u2019t have enough funding.\u2019\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the challenges, the students found a new focus for their project\u2014the closure of the Walnut Street Bridge.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe shuttle is a way that connects people who don\u2019t have cars and transportation downtown,\u201d Wood said. \u201cWe want to keep that going and expand it because right now, there\u2019s the issue with the Walnut Street Bridge. With its closing, people can\u2019t access the North Shore area on foot, so we\u2019re trying to get the shuttle system up and moving.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Daniela

Daniela Salas (left) and Lola Baker outside of CARTA headquarters.<\/p><\/div>\n

Another student group, Lola Baker and Daniela Salas, focused on improving transportation access for Chattanooga\u2019s Hispanic community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur main piece of <\/span>feedback was that<\/span> they wanted us to focus on an underrepresented community,\u201d said Baker, a sophomore environmental science major from Nashville.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Salas, a junior social work major and international student from Mexico, helped introduce La Paz\u2014a Chattanooga advocacy group for the Latino community\u2014as a community partner, recognizing the organization\u2019s connections with the city\u2019s Hispanic population.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The goal, Baker and Salas said, is to create presentations and learning sessions that educate Hispanic residents on how to navigate CARTA\u2019s transit system.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not always easy to figure out how to use CARTA\u2014and for someone who doesn\u2019t speak English, it\u2019s even harder,\u201d Salas said. \u201cWe are just trying to get out there and give them information in their first language to explain how they can get around without a car.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Salas, who moved to the U.S. from Mexico two years ago, knows what language barriers are like and how they can make navigating the Chattanooga area difficult.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I started school, it was really hard for me,\u201d she said. \u201cI didn\u2019t really speak English, and I also know that if you are here and you speak Spanish, you use Spanish with your family and friends. You don\u2019t really have the need to learn English unless you have to use it at work or school, so a lot of people never fully learn it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With their work, along with the hours of research and collaboration from the other groups, students in the Innovation Lab could bring about significant change to the city of Chattanooga and its transportation landscape.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although not every project will come to fruition, King said the student\u2019s ideas may inspire CARTA initiatives down the road.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes it\u2019ll be more about collecting information that helps lead to a better decision on something in the future,\u201d King said. \u201cOther times, it\u2019s about testing something out and getting feedback that maybe suggests, \u2018Here\u2019s how we could tweak that in the future and do it better.\u2019 Other times, CARTA is actually implementing something.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks different for every group, but the overall goal is: How can the students do something that is a positive learning experience for them but also helps CARTA identify how to make better decisions or have a bigger impact on the types of things they want to do moving forward?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

King also said that by presenting to the city, students will be able to showcase their research and learn how to communicate their ideas to community leaders and stakeholders\u2014an essential skill no matter their career path.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a celebration of their learning,\u201d he said, \u201cbut they\u2019re getting to participate in decision-making and planning and all these things for the city, too, which is really cool.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"CARTA

CARTA representatives Scott Wilson (red shirt), Savannah Ward and Veronica Peebles.<\/p><\/div>\n

Scott Wilson, CARTA\u2019s chief of staff, commended the students for their creativity\u2014as well as their strong focus on practical solutions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were particularly surprised by the creative approaches to integrating technology with traditional transit solutions\u2014especially the ideas around personalized mobile experiences that would make transit more intuitive for first-time riders,\u201d Wilson said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He said some of the students\u2019 ideas could easily fit into CARTA\u2019s current system, like improving digital communication and making route maps easier to understand.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One idea that could be put to use right away, he said, is the social media campaign created by one of the student groups.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe work of the social media team can be integrated immediately and provide a foundation for further collaboration,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wilson, along with Chief Administrative Officer Veronica Peebles and Communications Specialist Savannah Ward, were the three CARTA representatives who visited the Innovation Lab to provide feedback on the students\u2019 presentations. The three of them also happen to be UTC alums.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wilson described it as a \u201cfull circle\u201d moment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s something special about contributing to the education of the next generation of Mocs,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cI see in these students the same curiosity and potential I had when I walked the campus, and it\u2019s rewarding to help them understand real-world applications of their studies while potentially shaping the future of public transit in the city we all call home.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy UTC experience helped me find my voice and purpose, and I hope our collaboration with the <\/span>honors<\/span> program does the same for these promising students.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Students also had a chance to work closely with <\/span>CARTA CEO Charles Frazier.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe UTC honors students have given CARTA something invaluable\u2014fresh vision,\u201d Frazier said. \u201cTheir journey from creative concepts to practical solutions demonstrates exactly why these partnerships matter. They\u2019ve identified opportunities in digital engagement and user experience that align perfectly with our strategic priorities.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBy investing in these bright minds today, we\u2019re not just improving transit now\u2014we\u2019re cultivating tomorrow\u2019s public transportation advocates and leaders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/h4>\n

Visit UTC<\/a><\/p>\n

UTC Innovations in Honors<\/a><\/p>\n

How to apply<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo gallery by Angela Foster<\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"Innovations <\/a>
Innovations Honors students present ideas, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 to Carta officials in Guerry Center. <\/div> <\/div>
\"Jordan <\/a>
Jordan King\u2019s Honors Innovations class discusses transportation issues Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Guerry Center. <\/div> <\/div>
\"Innovations <\/a>
Innovations Honors students present ideas, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 to Carta officials in Guerry Center. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Jordan <\/a>
Jordan King\u2019s Honors Innovations class discusses transportation issues Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Guerry Center. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Innovation <\/a>
Innovation Honors students visit Carta on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. <\/div> <\/div>
\"Jordan <\/a>
Jordan King\u2019s Honors Innovations class discusses transportation issues Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Guerry Center. <\/div> <\/div>
\"Innovation <\/a>
Innovation Honors students visit Carta on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Innovation <\/a>
Innovation Honors students visit Carta on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Jordan <\/a>
Jordan King\u2019s Honors Innovations class discusses transportation issues Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Guerry Center. <\/div> <\/div>
\"Jordan <\/a>
Jordan King\u2019s Honors Innovations class discusses transportation issues Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Guerry Center. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Innovation <\/a>
Innovation Honors students visit Carta on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. <\/div> <\/div>
\"Innovations <\/a>
Innovations Honors students present ideas, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 to Carta officials in Guerry Center. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Innovation <\/a>
Innovation Honors students visit Carta on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Innovation <\/a>
Innovation Honors students visit Carta on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Jordan <\/a>
Jordan King\u2019s Honors Innovations class discusses transportation issues Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Guerry Center. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Innovations <\/a>
Innovations Honors students present ideas, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 to Carta officials in Guerry Center. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Innovation <\/a>
Innovation Honors students visit Carta on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Innovation <\/a>
Innovation Honors students visit Carta on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Jordan <\/a>
Jordan King\u2019s Honors Innovations class discusses transportation issues Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Guerry Center. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Students in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga\u2019s Innovations in Honors program are changing the city\u2019s transportation game.\u00a0 As part of Dr. Jordan King\u2019s Innovation Lab, housed in the UTC Honors College, students have spent the 2024-25 academic year coming up with ideas and working with the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) to address issues in Chattanooga\u2019s public transit system.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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