University of Georgia

Data Competition

Theme: Designing a Micro-Mobility Plan for

Downtown Hartwell, GA

Are you passionate about solving real-world

transportation challenges through data?

This is your chance to turn your ideas into impact!

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Background

Hartwell is a small but growing community in Hart County, Georgia, located near the shores of Lake Hartwell and known for its strong recreational and tourism assets. In recent years, population growth, new business investments, and downtown revitalization efforts have increased travel demand within the city center. Downtown Hartwell centers on the junction of U.S. 29 and Georgia State Route 77, which forms the city’s primary crossroads. Georgia State Route 51 joins nearby from the northwest, complemented by a network of local collector streets that serve both residents and visitors. Downtown Hartwell retains a historic main-street character, featuring local shops, restaurants, and cultural amenities that attract both tourists and the local community. However, as the city continues to expand, it faces growing challenges in mobility and accessibility, particularly balancing the needs of residents with the influx of visitors to Lake Hartwell, while remaining heavily dependent on automobiles. To accommodate this growth sustainably, Hartwell aims to develop a comprehensive micro-mobility plan that improves last-mile connectivity, enhances safety, efficient, and accessibility for both residents and visitors at downtown area.

Problem Statement

Objective: Design a micro-mobility plan (e.g., e-bikes, e-scooters) for downtown Hartwell within red boundary that enable a safe, efficient micro-mobility plan in downtown Hartwell that connects residents, visitors, and destinations; enhances last-mile accessibility to transit; supports needs from local economic development and population growth. The study area boundary is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Study area of downtown Hartwell

Data will be provided:

Point-of-Interest and Land Use: residential area, locations of major restaurants, retail, schools, fire/police stations, and recreational sites.
GIS and Road Network Data: street geometry, functional classifications, roadway configurations, and e-scooter/e-bike lane availability.
Traffic Data: Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) counts and truck volumes.
Public Transit Data: existing bus routes, stops, and schedules.

Participants will need to:

Design Micro-Mobility Network
- Develop a comprehensive network of micro-mobility routes, crossings, and service zones that connect neighborhoods, downtown businesses, bus stops, parking areas, and key tourist destinations within the study area boundary.
- Ensure proposed routes prioritize safety, efficiency, and accessibility for both residents and visitors.
Plan Infrastructure for Micro-Mobility
- Identify optimal locations and configurations for charging stations, docking racks, or parking zones for e-bikes and e-scooters. Consider flexible solutions that can scale with increased demand.
- Integrate last-mile connections between transit stops, parking areas, and major destinations to facilitate seamless transfers.
Justify Design Choices
- Provide a clear rationale for all design decisions, referencing provided data (land use, traffic, transit, GIS) and considering the needs of both residents and tourists.
- Discuss how the proposed plan can adapt to future growth in population, tourism, and electric vehicle usage.
Address Sustainability and Safety (Extra Points)
- Electrical Scope: Assess opportunities for solar panels and/or Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to supplement utility power and enhance system resiliency. Include lighting and photometric analysis to improve site safety.
- Civil Scope: Ensure all pavement and docking areas are smooth, well-drained, and ADA-accessible. Coordinate signage, pavement markings, and curb ramps to meet local standards and enhance the downtown environment.
Demonstrate Data-Driven Approach
- Integrate GIS, traffic, and transit data into your analysis and design. Use data analytics to support route selection, infrastructure placement, and safety enhancements.
Prepare a Professional Presentation
- Present your plan clearly and professionally, using maps, diagrams, and data visualizations where appropriate. Address all judging criteria: innovation and practicality of design, data and GIS integration, safety, accessibility, and sustainability considerations, and overall presentation completeness and quality.

Deliverable

Teams are required to submit two deliverables and participate in one final presentation.

The first deliverable is a due diligence report, due March 2, 2026, which focuses on proposing a micro-mobility plan for downtown Hartwell.

The second deliverable is presentation slides (maximum of 25 slides), due April 6, 2026. Visuals such as maps, diagrams, and data visualizations are strongly encouraged.

Teams will then give a final presentation, scheduled between April 6 and April 10, 2026, with exact timing to be determined.

Judging Criteria

30 Points - Innovation and practicality of design
30 Points - Integration of data and GIS analytics
25 Points - Consideration of safety, accessibility, and sustainability
15 Points - Clarity and professionalism of presentation