Durham College Hackathon 2026

About the challengeDurham College's Faculty of Business and IT is excited welcome you to its second annual hackathon, hosted on March 14th @ 9am and finishing March 15th @ 4pm, 2026. This event aims to empower all students to solve community challenges with innovative and creative technology solutions. Participants will have the chance to achieve things they may not have thought possible, gaining hands-on experience in coding, design, and problem-solving.Over a24-hour period you will engage in a marathon of creativity and collaboration, where small teams will work together to develop solutions that have potential to make a significant impact on the community.Saturday, March 14, 2026TimeEvent9:00 AMCheck-in starts10:00 amWelcome remarks10:15 amKeynote speech10:45 amDurham Region Transit Speaker11:00 amHackathon begins12:00 pmLunch Served6:00 pmDinner served8:00 pmMidnight snacksSunday, March 15, 2026TimeEvent9:00 amBreakfast served11:00 amHackathon submissions due12:00 pmLunch served1:00 – 3:00 pmJudging3:30 pmClosing remarks and awards ceremonyProblem Statement Suggestions:Unsure of what to do, or want more direction? Here are some suggestions on ways to go. Suggested API's and data to pull from will be provided by the end of February.1. Understanding Real Route PerformanceWhat if riders could see how reliably their route actually performs and plan with confidence? How might we transform schedule data into actionable insights that empower riders to make smarter travel decisions?2. Making Transfers More SuccessfulImagine effortless transfers where riders know their connections will work. How might we help riders discover and choose reliable connection options between DRT and GO Transit?3. Predicting Bus CrowdingWhat if riders could plan their trip knowing whether they'll have a comfortable seat or need to catch the next bus? How might we help riders anticipate demand and travel during times that work best for them?4. Identifying Service GapsBuses arriving in bunches means uneven service for riders. How might we reveal patterns in service delivery that could help create more consistent, evenly-spaced transit throughout the day?5. Mapping Stop AmenitiesEach bus stop offers a different waiting experience. How might we help riders discover which stops have the amenities they need and make every wait more comfortable?6. Finding Underserved AreasTransit can be a bridge to jobs, healthcare, and services. How might we illuminate where improved transit access could have the greatest positive impact on people's lives?7. Listening to Rider FeedbackRiders share valuable insights every day on social media and online communities. How might we capture and understand these authentic experiences to continuously improve transit?8. Measuring Weather ImpactWeather affects everyone's commute. How might we help riders and operators better understand and prepare for weather impacts on specific routes?9. Analyzing Route EfficiencyGreat routes balance speed, coverage, and convenience. How might we measure what makes routes work well and identify opportunities to make good routes even better?10. Simplifying Transit for New RidersEvery regular rider was once a first-timer. How might we create an inviting, easy-to-understand transit experience that encourages more people to choose public transportation?12. Promoting Courtesy and SafetyRiders sometimes experience discourtesy, conflicts, or unsafe situations at stops and on buses. How might we encourage positive behaviors and build a culture of respect and consideration among transit users?