Overview
Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in San Diego is home to over 12,000 service members—but only a fraction actually live on base. According to a SANDAG report on military multimodal access, more than 7,500 people commute daily, while around 3,500 live in barracks or base housing. Understanding how people move through this space is essential for designing efficient, scalable, and user-centered transportation solutions.
As part of an interdisciplinary team, I contributed to a comprehensive mobility study that combined qualitative insights with quantitative spatial data to help reimagine how Miramar supports the daily movement of its personnel.
Qualitative Research
To learn how people navigate the base, we created three engagement-based research stations:
- Pin Board Map
Participants marked frequently visited locations, revealing travel patterns and cluster points. - Day in a Life (DIAL)
Service members walked us through their daily routines, highlighting inefficiencies and bottlenecks. - Sticky Board Feedback
We gathered opinions on proposed alternative transport options like shared vans and electric vehicles.
This phase helped us understand not just where people go—but how they feel about getting there.
Quantitative Research
The second phase involved anonymized geospatial tracking using Garmin smartwatches worn by participants over one week.
- Data was collected securely via researcher-only Garmin accounts.
- All data was fully anonymized and could not be linked to individual identities.
- We used Google Colab for data cleaning and preprocessing, and Esri’s ArcGIS Online for mapping and analysis.
This gave us detailed, time-stamped movement patterns—critical for identifying where transit interventions might have the most impact.
Outcome & Impact
Due to data sensitivity and privacy agreements, the final results remain confidential. However, our insights directly contributed to a proposal for a shared shuttle system on base—an initiative aimed at improving mobility, reducing congestion, and supporting sustainability goals.
We presented our work through an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap, combining visuals, data, and narrative to communicate both the technical and human dimensions of our research.
Tools & Skills
- Technologies: Python (Google Colab), ArcGIS Online
- Methods: Mixed-methods research, qualitative interviews, spatial data analysis, participatory design
- Focus Areas: Smart mobility, human-centered research, secure data handling, UX for infrastructure
Team & Acknowledgments
Principal Investigator
Todd Hylton
Lead Researchers
Colleen Emmenegger, Julie Wartell
Undergraduate Research Team
Mary Kovic, Sergio Ramirez, Josie Li, Brandon Roberts, Huy Le, Samantha Munoz, Kelly Leon, Harry Liner, Bess Brandow, Andrei Sebald
Final Reflection
This project was a rewarding intersection of urban planning, behavioral research, and geospatial analysis. Working with sensitive data in a real-world, high-security setting sharpened both my technical skills and my understanding of how mobility shapes everyday life—even in environments as complex as a military base.