Southeast Data Competition

2026 Data Competition Winners

The 2026 competition concluded with outstanding presentations from all finalist teams:

First Place – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Connected Rural Mobility: Local-Intercity Coordination in Rockingham County, North Carolina
Presented by Komal Gulati, David Quansah, Akilah Jones, and Meray Abdelmalak

Second Place – University of Kentucky
Autonomous Transit Compact: A Data-Driven Proposal for Long-Distance Self-Driving Bus Service
Presented by Hudson Cooper, Andrew Snider, Clay Hammer, and Garon Davis

Third Place (Tie)
University of Alabama – Bridging Perinatal Care Accessibility Gaps in Alabama based on LLM-improved E2SFCA Evaluation
Presented by Bo Shen, Axl Buchheit, and Yanfang Su

Florida Atlantic University – An Intelligent Centralized Platform to Address the Nighttime Truck Parking Law Enforcement Dilemma
Presented by Ioannis P. Ioannou, Cristal Auger, Rutvikkumar Dave, and Ashmin Poudel

Compete in the Southeast Data Competition for an Efficient Transportation System Design, the annual innovation challenge powered by the Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities (CR2C2) and Honda. Open to students across seven consortium universities, this competition equips the next generation of transportation leaders to create bold, data-driven solutions that remove real mobility barriers in rural and underserved communities throughout the Southeast.

The experience unfolds across three dynamic phases:

1. Training Phase
Students gain hands-on training during Training Week (click for live schedule & updates) in cutting-edge data analysis tools, AI applications, and transportation efficiency. Participants earn a certificate while forming interdisciplinary teams supported by community partners and access to real-world datasets.

2. Concept Design Phase
Teams travel to rural communities, conduct interviews with local professionals, and craft thoughtful, data-informed concepts addressing pressing mobility challenges. Local evaluators provide feedback to help teams strengthen and refine their ideas.

3. Final Design Phase
Top-performing teams advance to the CR2C2 Annual Meeting, where they pitch their solutions to transportation leaders and industry experts. Finalists compete for awards and scholarships, gaining visibility and connections that elevate their academic and professional trajectory.

Through this immersive, real-world learning experience, students build advanced skills in transportation analytics, AI modeling, and geospatial problem-solving. Communities, in turn, receive valuable insights and prototype solutions that strengthen the reliability, equity, and efficiency of their transportation systems.

The competition also fuels ongoing collaboration between universities, state agencies, and local stakeholders—driving lasting innovation and impactful transportation solutions across the region.

The 2026 competition concluded with outstanding presentations from all finalist teams:

First Place – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Connected Rural Mobility: Local-Intercity Coordination in Rockingham County, North Carolina
Presented by Komal Gulati, David Quansah, Akilah Jones, and Meray Abdelmalak

Second Place – University of Kentucky
Autonomous Transit Compact: A Data-Driven Proposal for Long-Distance Self-Driving Bus Service
Presented by Hudson Cooper, Andrew Snider, Clay Hammer, and Garon Davis

Third Place (Tie)
University of Alabama – Bridging Perinatal Care Accessibility Gaps in Alabama based on LLM-improved E2SFCA Evaluation
Presented by Bo Shen, Axl Buchheit, and Yanfang Su

Florida Atlantic University – An Intelligent Centralized Platform to Address the Nighttime Truck Parking Law Enforcement Dilemma
Presented by Ioannis P. Ioannou, Cristal Auger, Rutvikkumar Dave, and Ashmin Poudel

To learn more about your university's specific theme and application process, click on your university below. Each university will have its own dedicated page detailing the local transportation challenges addressed, the project focus, key dates, and application link. Make sure to review your university’s page thoroughly for eligibility criteria, deadlines, and tips on forming teams. Don't miss the chance to be part of an innovative, hands-on experience that connects you with community stakeholders and helps you develop cutting-edge solutions for rural and underserved communities in the Southeast!

North Carolina A&T State University

Clemson University

Florida Atlantic University

University of Alabama

University of Georgia

University of Kentucky

University of Tennessee, Knoxville