{"id":2196,"date":"2026-05-14T20:10:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T20:10:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/shi-institute\/?p=2196"},"modified":"2026-05-14T20:17:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T20:17:45","slug":"seeing-the-bigger-picture-how-data-uncovers-the-power-of-public-transit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/shi-institute\/seeing-the-bigger-picture-how-data-uncovers-the-power-of-public-transit\/","title":{"rendered":"Seeing the Bigger Picture: How Data Uncovers the Power of Public Transit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each year, public transit in Greenville County serves approximately\u00a0750,000 rides\u00a0across more than 270 miles of service and 480 stops, with access available to 32% of households.\u00a0These numbers matter, but their impact depends on how\u00a0clearly\u00a0they\u2019re understood.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Data like this is used to inform decision-making, but only when people can understand it. When information is complex or ineffectively presented, it can overwhelm rather than inform. By integrating data effectively, complex information becomes easier to grasp, giving individuals the knowledge they need to make choices supported by data.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Expertise\u00a0That Turns Data\u00a0Into\u00a0Insight<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University<\/span><\/a>\u00a0specializes in turning complicated data into insightful, visual tools. This work is powered by Shi Institute experts like Mike Winiski, director of the Center for Applied Sustainability Research, and Jack Buehner, lead\u00a0programmer\u00a0and GIS analyst. Together, they focus on helping people make sense of data by building dashboards and processes that turn raw data into clear maps,\u00a0statistics\u00a0and figures.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not just organizing data; we\u2019re working with our partners to make it meaningful,\u201d said Mike. \u201cWhen you see less noise and more signal in the data, those insights can drive real impact.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Supporting\u00a0Transit\u00a0Advocacy<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nowhere is the power of clear, accessible data more\u00a0evident\u00a0than in public transportation,\u00a0an area that closely\u00a0aligns\u00a0with\u00a0the Shi Institute\u2019s focus on\u00a0fostering\u00a0sustainable communities.\u00a0While public transportation\u00a0reduces\u00a0environmental impacts\u00a0with\u00a0fewer\u00a0cars on the roads\u00a0and less traffic,\u00a0it also helps\u00a0the whole community\u00a0by offering\u00a0equitable\u00a0access\u00a0to essential services.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Greenville County, the public transit system is administered by\u00a0<\/span>Greenlink<\/span><\/a>, which\u00a0operates\u00a0<\/span>12\u00a0fixed\u00a0routes.\u00a0<\/span>Compared to peer cities like Columbia, Winston-Salem and Greensboro, Greenville has historically\u00a0underinvested in public transit.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Recent improvements for riders<\/span><\/a>, such as increasing service frequency on four routes from 60 to 30 minutes during peak times, signals progress, but\u00a0there is still room for improvement.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Greenville Connects<\/span><\/a>, a\u00a0nonprofit\u00a0that\u00a0has\u00a0advocated\u00a0for public transportation\u00a0in Greenville\u00a0since 2014, had\u00a0a vast amount of\u00a0transit\u00a0data, but no way to effectively use it.\u00a0To better\u00a0communicate the\u00a0importance of public transit through this data,\u00a0Greenville Connects\u00a0partnered with the Shi Institute to create a\u00a0unique\u00a0dashboard<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

About the Dashboard<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Shi Institute built a\u00a0customized\u00a0dashboard\u00a0that\u00a0operates\u00a0as an advocacy and educational tool for Greenville Connects. It\u00a0reveals\u00a0how\u00a0essential\u00a0public transportation is\u00a0for accessing jobs,\u00a0schools,\u00a0healthcare\u00a0and other essential services, especially for those who do not own a car.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The dashboard<\/a> organizes data by Special Emphasis Neighborhoods, political districts, and census-designated places such as Berea and Taylors. One unique feature of the dashboard is that users can compare regions across time periods, including historical views that show how coverage has evolved.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dashboard Highlights<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The dashboard\u00a0is\u00a0organized\u00a0into five tabs:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n