Whitehorse Transit, Yukon: Browser-based Demand Response Management
Download PDF"NOVUS-DR went live with our Handy-Bus system in December 2010. We’re still in the process of customizing the system; however, our daily use to-date confirms that the new system is meeting our needs. NOVUS-DR has established smoother processes and we now have more passengers on the bus on a daily basis. The efficiencies provided by the new system have also greatly improved our time management and save approximately one hour of scheduling and reporting time each day. This is a significant improvement for an operation with only one dispatcher on duty."
Cheri Malo, Acting Manager, Whitehorse Transit
Challenge
Prior to installing a Trapeze system, the City of Whitehorse managed and scheduled their demand response operations with a software solution that was developed in-house. The former system was very limited in its functionality and offered only a few features. Operating hours were divided into blocks of 15 minutes which were then assigned to individual clients. Drivers received a printout of their daily manifest containing pickup times and client’s names and addresses. As a result, the Handy-Bus often transported only one person at a time and picked up the next client after finishing the previous trip. Operators did not have the ability to make multiple pickups on their routes due to the lack of flexibility in the scheduling software.
The Transit department would also receive complaints from its demand response clients regarding the quality of the service being provided. Investigating these issues and performing follow-ups with clients demanded a great deal of time from the Dispatcher and other Management Staff. With the new system in place, these complaints have been greatly reduced.
| Snapshot | |
|---|---|
| Type of service: | Demand Response Transport |
| Number of Vehicles: | 1 |
| DR Trips per Day: | 25-35 |
Solution
The City of Whitehorse required a system that not only provided the flexibility required to meet the logistics of its environment and requirements of its clients but also improved time management for the personnel involved in scheduling. After an extensive RFP process, NOVUS-DR, Trapeze’s demand response (DR) software solution, was determined to be the best fit for those needs. From call taking to dispatching, browser-based NOVUS-DR is an easy-to-use application for many aspects of Handy-Bus’ demand response operations.
NOVUS-DR also offers reporting functions that make it easier for Transit Managers to produce performance and overview reports, as well as follow-up on client complaints. Previously, Handy-Bus employees had to count ridership and other performance indicators by hand and then manually input those numbers into spreadsheets. This is now an automatic function with the new system.
Results / Conclusion
With the implementation of the NOVUS-DR system in Whitehorse, dispatching demand response trips has become a fully automated task. Rather than picking up and dropping off one customer at a time, the software now suggests alternative routes and makes it possible to transport more clients, saving time and fuel costs, while increasing efficiencies in client and time management. Whereas, “in the old days,” drivers decided which route to take, NOVUS-DR now selects the most effective route.
The City of Whitehorse plans to expand their NOVUS-DR suite by adding on-board computers to their vehicles in the near future. These mobile computers further improve communications between vehicles and dispatcher and enable real-time dispatching.
The overall result of the new system has been an incredible benefit to the entire demand response service and the City of Whitehorse looks forward to additional improvements as new aspects of the system come on-line.
