FY25 ANNUAL REPORT

This annual spans the period from July 2024 through June 2025. For previous annual reports, visit the About Us page on our website. 
 

- ABOUT DOTS -

Mission Statement

The Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) strives to provide access to safe, cost-effective, sustainable and innovative services that anticipate the growing needs of our campus community.

Function and Responsibilities 

The University of Maryland Department of Transportation Services is a self-support agency under the Division of Administration. DOTS is dedicated to providing service to the campus community through planning, education and enforcement. DOTS is the primary agency responsible for administering parking and transit management programs on the College Park campus.
 

Values

- PROGRESS TOWARD GOALS -

Support and Advance the Electric Bus Project

In Summer 2023, DOTS was awarded $39.9 million in grant funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s FY 2023 Low- and No-Emission (Low-No) Program. The award is intended to fund the purchase of electric buses, on-site chargers and associated infrastructure, as well as workforce development programs for drivers and maintenance staff.

Since then, our DOTS implementation team has methodically advanced every project component. We finalized design and manufacturer contracts, worked with partners in Facilities Management to identify charger locations and began creating training programs for operators and maintenance staff. We are preparing to bring the first electric buses into service by Fall 2026. 
 

Modernize Parking Operations With a New Management System

In January, DOTS successfully launched AIMS, a cutting-edge parking management system that replaced the previous NuPark portal. This transition marked a significant milestone in our efforts to modernize parking operations across campus. Implemented seamlessly during the winter term, the new platform brought notable improvements in both reliability and functionality. 
With AIMS, users benefit from a more intuitive interface and enhanced features, including pay-by-plate technology. This upgrade not only streamlines administrative processes behind the scenes but also elevates the overall customer experience.
 

Launch a Micromobility Safety Course

The rapid growth of electric micromobility vehicles on campus has presented both opportunities and challenges for DOTS in managing a safe and accessible transportation environment. In FY24, we took an important step by requiring registration for all privately-owned electric micromobility vehicles. This registration program not only provided valuable data on the number of vehicles on campus but also created a direct communication channel through which we share targeted safety updates and regulatory information with vehicle owners.

Building on this momentum in FY25, we introduced a mandatory safety training requirement as part of the registration process to address unsafe riding behaviors and promote a culture of responsible micromobility use. In the fall semester of 2024, DOTS launched an innovative online safety course hosted on the ELMS-Canvas platform. This course is designed to equip all UMD micromobility users with a comprehensive foundation of responsible micromobility ownership and campus regulations through six focused modules:

• Module 1: Campus Regulations and Maryland State Laws
• Module 2: Enforcement and Disciplinary Actions
• Module 3: What to Do if You're in a Collision
• Module 4: Securing Your Micromobility Device
• Module 5: Electric Micromobility
• Module 6: Resources

Participants complete short quizzes to ensure comprehension of key safety concepts before affirming their commitment through taking the “Responsible Rider’s Pledge.” More than 2,000 members of the campus community completed the training, fulfilling this essential requirement to maintain safe and accountable micromobility use on campus.
The program’s success has attracted interest from peer institutions, with several universities considering similar initiatives. Furthermore, the DOTS team responsible for developing the course received a Division of Administration Annual Award for Innovation in recognition of their outstanding work—an accomplishment that underscores our commitment to safety, innovation and leadership in campus micromobility management.
 

- ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FY25 -
 

Paint Branch Bike Lane 

In August 2024, the first bike lane segment officially opened as part of the university’s Bikeways Project. This milestone features a two-way, separated cycle track along Paint Branch Drive, representing a major achievement for DOTS, our partners in Facilities Management and the dedicated community advocates who have championed safer, more accessible bike infrastructure for years. As the inaugural bike lane on campus, it sets a strong precedent for future expansions and reinforces our focus on creating a more micromobility-friendly, sustainable campus. 

Alumni Drive Complete Street Progress

FY25 marked important progress toward transforming Alumni Drive into a complete street that safely accommodates all modes of travel. In February, DOTS hosted a Bikeways Open House to engage the campus community and share updated designs and plans for the corridor. Shortly after, our partners in Facilities Management implemented a temporary project over spring break, using pavement markings and bollard-and-chain temporary barriers to create a protected bike lane along a key stretch of Alumni Drive.

This served as both a proof of concept and a stepping stone to more permanent improvements. Construction is scheduled to continue over the summer, with the goal of delivering a fully separated north-south bikeway in time for the start of the Fall 2025 semester. Once complete, the corridor will offer a continuous and connected route that links directly with the two-way path being built alongside the Purple Line, creating a more cohesive and safer biking network across campus.

New 104 College Park Metro/Discovery District Line 

In Fall 2024, DOTS launched the 104 College Park/Discovery District route by merging the former 104 College Park Metro and 109 River Road lines. This strategic consolidation created a single, high-frequency shuttle with 15-minute weekday intervals.

The new route strengthens the university’s ties to the Discovery District while offering students, staff and visitors convenient access to transit connections, restaurants, retail and other amenities. By streamlining operations and improving service coverage, the 104 line supports both campus mobility and the broader economic vitality of the surrounding area.
 

Elevated Social Media Outreach

In FY25, DOTS made strategic improvements to its Instagram presence to better inform, engage and connect with the campus community. By focusing on accessible, student-centered content, we grew our follower base by nearly 700, an increase of 38% from the previous year. Our short-form video content reached nearly 57,000 unique accounts and earned an engagement rate of 7.44%, well above higher education industry averages.

Content highlights included a video series showcasing destinations accessible via Shuttle-UM, safety tips for navigating campus across all modes and a playful collaboration with Testudo. These efforts have positioned DOTS as a more approachable, responsive and informative presence online and have allowed us to reach students where they are and share important information in a format they actively engage with.
 

Strengthened Financial Stability 

As a self-support unit, DOTS relies primarily on student fees, permit sales, charter income and revenue from special events to fund its operations. These income sources can fluctuate significantly from year to year, making long-term financial planning complex. In recent years, DOTS has faced notable budget challenges and sometimes ended the year with operating deficits.

In FY25, however, we made meaningful progress toward financial stability. Through careful budgeting, operational adjustments and strategic planning, we closed the fiscal year without adding to our debt. While challenges remain, this marks an important step in rebuilding financial stability. 
 

- CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED -

FY25 brought its share of challenges, many of which had a real impact on how we worked and what we were able to deliver. A difficult state budget environment led to a university-wide hiring freeze, making it harder to fill open positions and putting more strain on our existing staff. Like many departments, we had to find ways to do more with less, while still meeting the needs of our campus community.

We also continued to feel the effects of an aging Shuttle-UM bus fleet. With more buses out of service for maintenance and fewer available to drive, we had to make some tough decisions about reducing service. These cuts affected access and reliability for riders and emphasized how critical the upcoming electric bus replacements will be.

These experiences have made it clear that long-term investments in people, equipment and infrastructure are essential for keeping campus moving. They’ve also reinforced the importance of flexibility, clear communication and thoughtful planning as we look ahead to FY26.
 

- GOALS -

Launch a Dynamic Data Dashboard

DOTS will replace its static annual report graphics with a dynamic data dashboard featuring key departmental metrics. This tool will streamline reporting, reduce manual work and enable more frequent updates—improving transparency and making performance data more accessible to stakeholders year-round.

Update ADA Signage on Campus

DOTS will install new signage at over 600 ADA parking spaces across campus to clarify parking rules and expand access. The updated signs will guide visitors with ADA placards to park in any designated space and pay the visitor rate using ParkMobile. 

Implement and Communicate New Micromobility Policies

DOTS will support the rollout of updated micromobility policies in Fall 2025, including changes to registration requirements, expanded access to shared e-scooters and e-bikes and safety equipment giveaways. Outreach efforts will focus on helping the campus community understand and adapt to the new rules through clear, proactive communication. 

Add an Electric Paratransit Vehicle to the Fleet

The university’s climate action plan calls for a fully electric vehicle fleet by 2035. In FY26, DOTS plans to purchase its first electric paratransit vehicle. This transition will allow us to continue providing essential service to students with disabilities while reducing our environmental impact.