2016 Top 40 Under 40: Shannon D. Haney, GISP

Sept. 6, 2016
Shannon D. Haney, GISP, Intelligent Transportation Systems Coordinator, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART)

Shannon D. Haney, GISP

Intelligent Transportation Systems Coordinator

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART)

Since Shannon Haney's arrival at HART he has shown talents and leadership skills that have set him apart from the rest of the staff. A position of 'ITS Coordinator' was created so that Shannon could devote more time to ITS pursuits. As part of his duties, Haney helps negotiate contracts for ITS service and support including a recent 5-year agreement with Xerox under Haney's leadership HART was able to introduce our first real-time information system, OneBusAway and now serves on the national OneBusAway Board of Directors. From an original projection of 10,000 hits per day, OneBusAway now receives up to 500,000 hits on an average weekday.

Haney in his capacity of ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) Coordinator has near single-handedly brought HART into the new techno age. Prior to his arrival on the scene, HART had all of the ITS tools but they were badly deployed and grossly underutilized. Haney partnered with the University of South Florida's Center for Urban Transportation (CUTR) and Georgia Tech University to bring HART's first real time bus arrival app 'OneBusAway' to HART. OneBusAway now receives 400,000 hits per day and HART patrons now consider it a 'must have' item.

A rising star in the ITS and service development arenas, Haney is responsible for more than development projects. Some of his key responsibilities include the management of the CAD/AVL systems, radio network, GIS/CAD services, and other intelligent transportation systems for all transportation modes of HART: fixed-route bus, on-demand, paratransit and streetcar. According to the agency’s CEO Katharine Eagan, Haney’s innovative thinking and ability to generate strong agency support is key to many projects' ultimate success.

"It really brings me satisfaction to hear comments of how the technology that we deploy in the public transit industry enhances the quality life of individuals in the community. What we may consider a “cool” project becomes a lifesaver for parents picking up their children after school, or grandparents getting to their doctor’s appointment on time, or helping people get to work."