Award Winning Destination Aggieland App: New and Improved

From Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Published: September 10, 2015

The free Destination Aggieland mobile app, originally developed in 2014, has been updated and expanded for 2015. The app was created as part of the Kyle Field Transportation Plan commissioned by Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp to help fans get to and from the game as safely as possible, while also improving the overall game weekend experience. The app still highlights all of the pre- and post-game transportation plan strategies for moving fans to and from the Texas A&M University campus, but the updated version now can be used year-round for getting to and from campus for other major sporting and university events, such as basketball and baseball games, Aggie Muster, Graduation, Ring Day and Parents’ Weekend.

“The Destination Aggieland app and Kyle Field Transportation Plan are perfect examples of collaboration between Texas A&M Transportation Services and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. With the grand opening of the redeveloped Kyle Field, the app will improve the overall gameday experience for football fans, as well as for those attending other major events on campus,” said Chancellor Sharp.

Visitors can download the Destination Aggieland app before they travel to College Station. The free app includes maps, traffic and parking information, shuttle bus routes, gameday events and a robust guide to local dining and entertainment venues.

“Our goal in Texas A&M Athletics is to ensure that our sports fans and guests have the best gameday experience in the entire SEC,” said Jason Cook, senior associate athletics director for external affairs. “Part of that experience is convenience, especially relating to traffic and parking. Now the Destination Aggieland app addresses not only football, but other Texas A&M sporting events from the convenience of your smart phone.”

Travelers can plan their arrivals and departures based on where they are parking and/or where they are going after the game. For example, fans going to Houston after the game should park on the south or west sides of campus; fans going to downtown Bryan, Austin or Dallas-Fort Worth afterward should park on the north side. Maps and information are available at gameday.12thman.com and via the Destination Aggieland app.

For trips to Kyle Field, the Destination Aggieland app features:

• MyRoute – how to get to the right Kyle Field entry point, estimated travel time and post-game egress routes assigned to specific parking areas;
• MyParking – parking areas, parking costs and pre-paid reservations;
• MyShuttle – bus routes, schedules and stops;
• Gameday Central – gameday events, tailgating and ticket information;
• Kyle Field – section maps and entry gate information; and
• Around Town – local dining, entertainment and hotel options.

TTI and Texas A&M University Transportation Services recently received the International Parking Institute’s Parking Matters Marketing and Communications Award. This award recognizes outstanding parking-related marketing, public relations, and communications programs and campaigns.

“I am proud of the collaboration between the System, campus and community partners that have come together to create the Kyle Field Transportation Plan and ultimately Destination Aggieland,” said Peter Lange. “We are excited to have expanded the original platform so the app ensures a great Aggie experience getting to and from campus events.”

“We’re hoping everyone uses the app to make their travel plans.  You can use Destination Aggieland for every event on the Texas A&M campus,” said TTI Research Fellow and project supervisor Tim Lomax.

For the 2015 football season, the Get to the Grid free park and ride shuttle service has a new location at American Momentum Plaza and runs 3.5 hours prior to kickoff through 1.5 hours after the game ends. A new park and ride location has been added for fans who want to enjoy the dining and entertainment opportunities in downtown Bryan. The Downtown Bryan Gameday Shuttle picks up at the Clara B. Mounce Public Library and runs two hours pre-game and until one hour post-game. For up-to-the-minute parking and traffic updates on gamedays follow us on Twitter at @TAMUTransport.

All this information is available on the Destination Aggieland app, which is free in the Apple App Store and on Google Play, and available for download at transport.tamu.edu or through the university’s iPhone app, TAMUmobile at the Gameday link.