A LIGHTWEIGHT CLOUD-BASED SYSTEM FOR DEMAND-AWARE CAMPUS BUS TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Many universities provide on-campus transportation services, yet coordinating passengers and drivers efficiently remains a persistent operational challenge. In many campuses, inadequate communication and limited real-time visibility lead to uncertainty, unnecessary waiting, and avoidable operational inefficiencies. This paper presents a lightweight cloud-based system for demand-aware campus bus transportation management, enabling users to communicate in near real-time via a bilingual web interface. To support dynamic data exchange, the system integrates a cloud-hosted spreadsheet datastore with a serverless scripting layer. The proposed workflow includes passenger check-ins, driver demand visibility, arrival confirmations, and automated alerts, allowing transportation activity to respond more directly to actual stop-level demand. The architecture reduces dependence on complex, maintenance-intensive infrastructure while maintaining accessibility across standard web-enabled devices. A pilot-scale implementation in a controlled campus setting was used to evaluate system functionality, integration, usability, performance, and reliability. The results demonstrate system feasibility, consistent responsiveness, and improved coordination between users and drivers under test conditions. Overall, the proposed system offers a scalable and cost-effective strategy for enhancing campus mobility operations, with potential benefits for service efficiency and more sustainable transportation management.