Jonathan Rasmussen, a senior majoring in operations and supply chain management, received $250 and second-place honors in the undergraduate division of the student competition at Innovate Carolina. Innovate Carolina is an annual innovation conference organized by the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) Carolinas chapter.
Rasmussen’s concept is to improve public transportation through new technologies like mobile pay, smart apps and partnerships that will improve the convenience, reliability and quality of service.
“Better public transportation will improve the quality of life for everyone in the region,” Rasmussen said.
He developed the idea after observing how public transportation – especially buses – weren’t using new technologies or applications. “I love the opportunity to solve problems. Years ago I rode the bus daily for school and work. It was a frustrating experience and I knew that it could be improved,” he said.
Rasmussen’s concept utilizes mobile pay and membership options for bus and light rail riders. “Currently CATS buses and light-rail require cash, with exact change, for rides. Not many people carry pockets full of change these days and this outdated technology has become one of the easiest hindrances to resolve,” he said. In addition, his concept included “smart” bus stops that allow riders to use their mobile phone technology to request stops or pickups.
“As a business student at UNC Charlotte, I learned about how more reliable public transportation is of benefit to everyone: safer for drivers, less wear on roads, less congestion and obviously for people using the services. As the construction for the Blue Line Extension of the LYNX light rail continues, better public transportation is on my mind with every commute to campus,” he said.
Rasmussen is a member of the UNC Charlotte American Production & Inventory Control Society (APICS) student chapter, part of the national organization for supply chain and operations management.
“I would like to thank the judges for their valuable time and input and Wells Fargo for the financial support. I received some great feedback and will take all of their advice with me going forward as I develop the concept further,” he said.
The judges were practitioners, leaders, educators and consultants in the areas of innovation and product management. Wells Fargo Startup Accelerator provided scholarship funds for the student competition, with Rasmussen receiving $250 for his business idea. In addition, product development firm Enventys is providing support and consulting services for participating students.
Cheryl Jacobs, academic affairs chairperson of Innovate Carolina, said, “One of the favorite aspects of our annual conference is the student competition. We encourage our members and attendees to continue to pursue innovation. Fostering that sense of innovation in our college students is an important component of our mission. We wish all of our competing students the best of luck and encourage them to keep on innovating!”
Visit http://www.pdma.org/carolinas or http://www.innovatecarolina.org/ for more information.