🛰️ Soar Into Data
This platform was built by UCI students for the "Soar Into Data" Datathon. It helps calculate optimal routes across Irvine using TSP!
This platform was built by UCI students for the "Soar Into Data" Datathon. It helps calculate optimal routes across Irvine using TSP!
Our tool leverages Melissa APIs to process a set of addresses near UCI, retrieving key details such as geolocation, residential or business classification, and unique Melissa Address Keys. It then calculates the most efficient route that begins and ends at UCI, covering all specified stops.
This solution is especially helpful for students who are new to Irvine or the U.S., and who may rely on walking, cycling, or public transportation to complete errands on weekends. By optimizing travel routes, the tool reduces time, effort, and confusion—making local navigation simpler and more accessible. Looking ahead, it has the potential to evolve into a Google Maps extension, combining advanced address intelligence with smart route planning to enhance everyday mobility.
The user provides a fixed list of addresses. The tool processes these using Melissa APIs, calculates the most efficient round-trip route starting and ending at UCI, and visualizes the route on a map.
The user inputs their current location and a list of nearby errands or points of interest. The tool dynamically adjusts in real-time, determining the optimal order for the stops and optimizing the route based on the user’s preferences.
Our tool directly connects with the "Soar Into Data" theme by solving a challenge posed by Melissa Data, using data to explore and optimize route planning. By analyzing key address details, we uncover hidden patterns in locations and geolocations, enabling us to create the most efficient routes. This data-driven exploration not only optimizes navigation but also demonstrates how intelligent use of data can solve real-world problems, making everyday tasks like errands and commuting simpler and more time-efficient.