From Student to Alumni: Software Engineer Makes a Real-World Impact at ASPIRE

Managing a fleet of electric buses requires tracking not only the buses but also the electric vehicle chargers themselves in order to track overall purchasing and maintenance costs and power loads. With so many moving parts, this can be difficult and time consuming to do. However, Max Ramsdell, a software engineer at ASPIRE, led a team to find a way to make it easier for electric fleets. 

“Currently I’ve been working on a number of projects but probably the most recognizable or important one is the reliability app for the Utah Transit Authority,” Ramsdell explained. “We’re tracking their busses and their electric vehicle chargers and, giving them the tools to know how to manage their fleet.” 

The app includes real-time data, such as the map that depicts which buses are charging and where, as well as data trends that across a period of time. 

“We have some analytics tools that allow them to do cost analysis and do their power loads over multiple months,” he said. “They can come here, and they can see how much power has been used at their different stations and how much they’re paying for it.” 

For Ramsdell, it’s inspiring to realize that the work he is doing at ASPIRE is implemented into the real world. After working as a student for nine months then transitioning into a full-time role, he has expanded his expertise and continued to do something he loves while creating a real-world impact. 

“I love coding. I think it’s great. It’s great to do it with real equipment,” he shared. “It’s pretty cool to have chargers in several cities over that are taking the stuff that I built here and using it now, and helping us improve our tools at the same time.” 

Because he enjoys his work and recognizes his ability to meaningfully contribute to and improve the world around him, Ramsdell prioritizes doing his best by ensuring his efforts are impactful and lead to a high-quality result. 
 
“I think doing it well is really important. Whether or not you understand the end goal, making a good technical effort towards something will pay for anything,” he shared. “It prevents you from being pigeonholed into something that you may not want to do.” 

For the latest news, publications, and research highlights from ASPIRE, visit aspire.usu.edu.

About ASPIRE: 

ASPIRE, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center headquartered at Utah State University, leads groundbreaking research and development at the transportation-grid edge. With over 400 global collaborators, ASPIRE focuses on creating seamless, affordable electrified transportation systems, accessible for all vehicle classes, along with the public infrastructure needed to support them. By reducing costs, improving air quality, and fostering economic growth through job creation and workforce training, ASPIRE’s work spans engineering, social science, policy, and business. Partnering with top universities, industry leaders, and community groups, ASPIRE is driving the future of advanced transportation-grid systems. Learn more at aspire.usu.edu. 

Contacts: 

Kat Webb
Content Director
Marketing & Communications 
ASPIRE ERC  

Writer: 

Kayleigh Kearsley 
Marketing & Communications Intern 
ASPIRE ERC