BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Student project helps BCIT launch new interactive parking map

BCIT Geographic Information Systems (GIS) student Christian Calvo  developed a new interactive parking map for the BCIT Burnaby Campus. Christian joined the Institute's Campus Planning and Facilities team during his final year in his program for his student practicum. A first of its kind at the Institute, his innovative interactive parking map is now launched for public use at BCIT.

Learning through hands-on experience

As part of Geographic Information Systems, Advanced Diploma, students in the GIS program undertake a practicum with an employer who needs their skills.  BCIT Campus Planning and Facilities (CPF) saw creating a new interactive parking map as an interesting project that would suit a GIS student as well as support the implementation of the BCIT Transportation Demand (TDM) Strategy.

Christian began work in May this year, collaborating closely with the CPF team to develop the map. The work included surveying each parking lot to help users identify exactly where individual EV chargers, accessible parking spaces, and drop- off zones are located.

Christian explains: "This map incorporates a lot of information that the parking team would like to share. For me, it was a valuable learning experience.

On the one hand, it was [about] making sure that all the different facilities and attributes, were added, right down to individual parking spaces, so nothing was missed. Then, we needed to add the search functionality so that students, staff, and visitors can find the best parking option."

Celene Fung, BCIT Senior Development Planner, was responsible for managing Christian's project during his student practicum:

"We tried to make the experience valuable by giving Christian the opportunity to work closely with our team and project stakeholders. We had regular collaborative meetings where we worked together as the project developed.

Christian really embraced the project, and we're delighted with the finished product which is a robust and functional new mapping tool for our community."

Building industry skills and connections

Once the project was complete, Christian was able to take on a more permanent role in BCIT's CPF department, making use of his extensive GIS training.

Adam Dickinson BCIT Manager of Transportation Landscape and Grounds, adds:

"We want to make it as easy as possible for student, visitors, and staff to find appropriate parking.

We've just launched a new one stop parking portal to make it easier for students to purchase parking, so this was the ideal time to develop this new map that allows anyone driving to campus to find what they need more quickly. We're delighted that Christian and the team were able to get this ready in time for the new school year."