April 26th, 2025 @ University of Chicago
Like data? Like transit? Like being creative?
Participate in UChicago Transit Enthusiast’s annual datathon competition! You and a team of up to 3 other friends are encouraged to compete and build web apps, data analysis projects, algorithms or any other tech-centered solution about any form of transportation in Chicago: Metra, Pace, CTA, and even micro transit services like university shuttle services or Divvy.
Academics from the University and professionals in the transportation industry will be available to answer any questions and give you some starting ideas. At the end of the evening, you will present to our panel of judges to compete for a piece of the prize pool (amount TBA).
Thank you to our sponsors! UChicago Data Science Institute, Harris Computational Analysis and Public Policy program
Event Schedule
| 12:00pm – 12:30pm | Introduction, kickoff lecture |
| 12:30pm – 6:30pm | Free work time |
| 6:30pm – 7:00pm | Dinner served |
| 7:00pm – 8:00pm | Presentations and judging |
| 8:00pm – 8:30pm | Awards ceremony, wrap-up |
Countdown to Transit Hacks
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Team registration now open!
Register your team (or as an individual) and express interest in competing for prizes, earning valuable hands on experience working with data, and acquire networking opportunities with industry leaders!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the prizes for winning the Datathon?
We are currently working with our sponsors and community stakeholders to build a prize pool and will announce the prizes as soon as they are confirmed! For now, registering a team will sign you up to our newsletter, where all event announcements will be shared.
Who are the judges?
To be announced!
Who can participate in a team?
All students (undergraduate and graduate) and post-docs may participate in a team or register a team for free. If you are not a UChicago student but still would like to participate, please register and we will reach out to you about participating. In the event registration for the Transit Hacks event becomes full, priority for team registration will go to UChicago students first, Chicagoland area undergraduates second, then all else after.
I want to sponsor / I want to judge, how can I?
Email the Datathon team at datathon25@lists.uchicago.edu to discuss sponsorship opportunities and judge recruitment! We are looking for a) academics in the field of data science and public policy and b) technical folks who work in the transportation industry (CTA, airline, etc.)
I have another question!
If you have a question that wasn’t answered in this FAQ area, please email the Datathon team at datathon25@lists.uchicago.edu