Paratransit Software Report June, 2009 Table of Contents

Reporting:

• 
  Comprehensive Ticket Archive
  
• 
  Comprehensive Report Generator
  
• 
  Export Report Data to MS Excel
  
• 
  New Clients This Month
  
• 
  Consolidate Redundant Addresses
  
• 
  Fare Reconciliation
  
• 
  Back/Up Restore Utilities
  
• 
  Archiving Feature
  
• 
  Rides Analyzer
  
• 
  3 extra customizable trip lists
  
• 
  Customizable client lists
  
• 
  Support for secondary funders
  
• 
  Affiliations support
  
• 
  Volunteer Details
  

II. Easy Rides Functional Specifications

A. Passenger Registration.

Figure 1 (page 6) is a terminal display of a typical client list. It has functional buttons available that allow the user to highlight and select a specified client from the list. By clicking on the specified client, the user enters the Client Form where he or she can begin entering and editing client data (as seen in figure 2, page 7). Here you will also see default data that outlines the client’s trip ticket. This can be expanded or minimized based on the user’s preference (see figure 3, page 8).

The following information is stored for client using the Client Form (figure 2):

• 
  Client identification number
  
• 
  Client name
  
• 
  Home address
  
• 
  Mailing address (if different than home address)
  
• 
  Sex
  
• 
  Telephone number
  
• 
  Date of birth
  
• 
  Ethnicity
  
• 
  Social Security Number
  
• 
  Language preference
  
• 
  Emergency Contact
  
• 
  Disability code or physical needs (i.e. need for an attendant/aide, seeing eye dog, etc.)
  
• 
  Type of payment code (paid, prepaid, etc.)
  
• 
  Agency, doctor, or employer with detail specifics (i.e. full name, address, phone number, etc.)
  
• 
  Required vehicle type code (sedan, van, bus, etc.)
  
• 
  Service type code (including taxi and individual trip reimbursement)
  

Additionally, the Client Form has seven fields that are fully customizable via combination boxes or drop-down tabs. In this image they are listed as “DBase 1” through “DBase 7”. The example, shown here in expanded view, shows a customizable piece for a billing component – i.e. Medicaid, but can be also used for ADA eligibility, income, taxonomy codes, ADA certification, visitor information, passenger trip history, or directions.

Consequently, these customizable tabs can designate the type of ride service the client uses the most. For example, VINE: Faith in Action (located in Mankato and St. Peter, MN) uses these customizable tabs as a volunteer delivery service that deploys many different types of civilian vehicles (i.e. sedans, vans, trucks). Metro Transit, on the other hand, is one of the country's largest transit systems that deploys buses, trains, carpools, and vanpools. These tabs can be customized to reflect client transportation history.

This screen also has a frequented address display that allows the dispatcher to select a destination based on the client’s most frequented routes.

All of the addresses are maintained in the Address Table. This table provides the necessary information to allow for Auto-Complete, map display, and auto-scheduling features. Figure 4 (page 8) shows the editor for managing the address table and figure 5 (page 9) shows a snippet of a map accessed via the geocode feature. New addresses can be added to the Address Table via updating the Client Form or upon creation of a Trip Ticket. These addresses are automatically geocoded, and if the geocoder cannot find the address in its database, it will produce a list of similar addresses for the user to choose from. Additionally, the user can access the map database manually by pointing and clicking on a larger map to geocode the desired area.

B. Reservations

The Trip Ticket Form shown in figure 5 (page 9) is loaded from the clents default information. Reservations are made here. They can be done via the frequented address drop-down tab or as a new address that wll be automatically geocoded at this point. In the middle of the screen on the right, there is a “Check Feasibility” button. By clicking on this button, the user can prioritze rides via pick-up, drop-off, or both by checking the potential routes a trip could be assigned to. This feature allows the dispatcher to check the feasibility of a trip and receive a list of all feasible buses in the order of priority. To the left of this button is the “Board Time” that can be modified by the user. Each stop is called a “leg” and by clicking on the “Next Leg” button, the user can generate a ticket for the next stop of the trip.

The following features are available through the Trip Ticket Form screen:

• 
  Passenger’s name
  
• 
  ID number
  
• 
  Disability Code
  
• 
  Vehicle Code (the vehicle code is associated with the route)
  
• 
  Date of trip request (time stamped automatically onto the ticket)
  
• 
  Number of attendants and/or escorts
  
• 
  Scheduled date(s) of service
  
• 
  Pick-up location and zone (coded) that is identified by the site
  
• 
  Destination location with detail specifics (business name, address, and coded zone)
  
• 
  Requested pick-up/arrival time
  
• 
  Required arrival time to destination
  
• 
  Specifics/comments that can be added via the Trip Notes box
  
• 
  Repeat information for return trips and including “will calls” (if applicable)
  
• 
  Multiple legs for the trip that are generated via the “Next Leg” button
  
• 
  Service type
  
• 
  Agency billing code
  
• 
  Payment type
  
• 
  Frequent destinations (obtained from the Addresses drop-down tabs)
  
• 
  Agent code (automatically stamped using the current user name)
  
• 
  Trip type/purpose (shopping, medical, social, etc.)
  

Subscriptions are created using the Create Multiple Trips screen (figure 6, page 10). These can be created as Short Term trips and Long Term trips. Short Term trips are trips that are repeated for a shorter duration of time (i.e. a week or two, or a month or two). Long Term trips are trips that are repeated for a longer duration of time (i.e. many months, years, etc.).

In this screen there are tabs corresponding with the days of the week. By checking a tab and then clicking “Create Trips, a trip can be scheduled for any day of the week. Special Trips can be created as date-specific using an archived calendar that can be scrolled forward (to check for future trips) or backward to check previous trips. Using this feature, the dispatcher can reference routes from previous days. Easy Rides software can accept modifications up to and during the scheduled service.

C. Manifests

Fourteen manifest styles are provided for printing routes and driver manifests. These can be archived using Microsoft Excel and printed/edited as needed.

D. Dispatching

Easy Rides provides three ways to view a daily transit schedule, and all three can be viewed at the same time. The daily schedule is also accessible at the same time a Trip Ticket is being made. Figure 7 (page 11) shows each of these views in the daily schedule screen. Here modifications to a route (additions, cancellations, and no-shows) can be changed immediately on a real time basis.

Easy Rides provides three methods for Auto-Scheduling: Feasibility, Auto-Step ™, and Auto-Batch Scheduling.

• 
  Feasibility checks the possibility of scheduling an individual trip on a given route in the order of priority. This process generally takes less than two minutes.
  
• 
  Auto-Step ™ scheduling steps the scheduler through each of the unscheduled trips and provides a list of available routes for each. This process generally takes less than two minutes.
  
• 
  Auto-Batch Scheduling schedules all unscheduled trips according to the parameters selected by the scheduler. This process may take longer than two minutes depending on the number of unscheduled trips.
  

E. Trip Data Processing/Data Entry

The design of the Easy Rides software allows the user to provide information to scheduling and dispatching staff, and provide data for management information reports.

F. Management Information/Client Billing

 

Mobilitat’s software can produce tables based on performance criteria such as pickup performance, number of riders transported, trips in a given timeline, and generate reports based on any information stored in its database. Because Easy Rides uses an open database connected with an MS SQL server, users can develop reports by linking with Excel and Visual Basic with the database.

Easy Rides stores all the data collected during reservations, scheduling and dispatching in its database. Through these data the user can generate the summary and statistical information desired. Mobilitat provides five standard reports as well as a general report generator and accessibility to the databse. Figure 9 (page 14) provides illustrated examples of custom customer reports. Since data can be exported into an Excel file, charts and graphs and tables can be produced in xls files.

For more detail on what an MS SQL driver does, please see MS SQL Chapter VI.

Easy Rides provides a driver record-keeping feature to record driver training, license number, years in service, disciplinary record (memo field) and on-time performance.

H. Instillation on a Computer Network

Mobilitat can install Easy Rides software on any networked server. Easy Rides is a stand-alone application that can interface with a conventional MS SQL server. According to Cindy Johnson, Oracle databases are used primarily overseas but aren’t common place in the United States.

I. Computer Hardware

Equipment requirements vary according to the size and activity of the customer. Like any software, performance will improve with faster processing speeds and increased RAM (memory). Essentially, the performance of the software is dictated by the ability to process information and access memory by each individual computer. The computers used must have the resources to process the visual interface and the server requires resources to manipulate the data. In addition to the computers used, the performance of the software is also heavily reliant on the server as well as the speed and stability of the network connectivity.

The following minimum requirements are needed per workstation:

• 
  Intel Pentium III Processor at 700 MHz and 256 MB RAM (for small systems)
  
• 
  Intel Pentium IV Processor at 1.5 GHz and 512 MB RAM (for larger systems)
  
• 
  MS Windows XP Pro (will run in Windows 2000 Pro)
  
• 
  Microsoft Office
  
• 
  20 GB hard drive
  
• 
  Available USB port
  
• 
  CD ROM drive
  
• 
  Network connectivity
  
• 
  Recommended 19” or lager viewable screen monitor (scheduler and dispatcher), 17” viewable screen monitor (reservations)
  
• 
  Mouse or other pointing device
  

The following minimum requirements are needed per server:

• 
  Intel Pentium Processor at 1.7 MHz and 1 GB RAM
  
• 
  Microsoft Windows XP preferred or Windows Professional/Server 2000
  
• 
  Microsoft Office
  
• 
  MDSE or MSSQL server installation compatibility
  
• 
  40 GB hard drive
  
• 
  Available USB port
  
• 
  CD ROM drive
  
• 
  Network connectivity
  
• 
  Backup media
  
• 
  17” monitor
  
• 
  Shared or network printer
  
• 
  Mouse or other pointing device
  

J. Training and Documentation:

Based on an RFP submitted to Region 9 in 2005, Mobilitat provides the following training:

• 
  Driver training
  
• 
  Dispatch staff training
  
• 
  Management training
  
• 
  Technology support staff/system administrator training
  

The staff provided on-site training for VINE: Faith in Action in Mankato, Minnesota. Training was conducted over a four-day period and was conducted by Mobilitat staff and Cindy Johnson, President of Mobilitat. Additional follow-up training was conducted on two separate occasions, three trips in all, concluding with an advanced follow-up training after one to two months.

VINE used this software to enhance its volunteer driver program, and according to transportation manager, Carol Clark, the set-up required a great deal of customization. The training and implementation was broken down into four distinct tasks:

Task 1: The purpose of this task was for the job site to prepare for the first Mobilitat trip and facilitate on-site installation. The process involved was as follows:

• 
  VINE sent a copy of their electronic database to Mobilitat and prepared a detailed list of fully customizable parameters. As a volunteer driver service, these included: drivers, mileage, and routes. In this phase, Mobilitat also asks for approximations of the geography of the area.
  
• 
  Mobilitat then reviewed the information at their headquarters to better prepare for installantion and implementation.
  
• 
  VINE was asked to modify the electronic database according to suggestions made by Mobilitat. The modified database was then sent back to Mobilitat.
  

Task 2: This occurred during the first trip. The objective was to install, implement and provide initial training.

• 
  On Day 1: Cindy Johnson met with VINE’s transportation personnel to establish a final set of local parameters. Emphasis was placed on things such as: funding, provider, rates, fare types, driver zones, GIS boundaries, and jurisdictions. Cindy also acted as a consultant to provide training as the work was performed.
  
• 
  During Day 1, Cindy installed the Easy Rides software on each of the workstations and installed the GIS software.
  
• 
  During Day 2, VINE and Cindy Johnson worked together to further define the local parameters and input the parameters into the computer. Again, training was conducted hands-on as the work was being performed.
  
• 
  During Day 3, Cindy and VINE staff worked to input local addresses to manually geocode addresses missed by the Automatic Geocoder from day 2. This is also the phase in which drivers were trained in the use of driver manifests. Additional Mobilitat staff was on hand to help VINE create a schedule and create driver manifests for day 4.
  
• 
  During Day 4, VINE was able to begin dispatching drivers using Easy Rides. Additional staff from Mobilitat headquarters helped provide additional trading in a web-based encrypted and secure virtual meeting program.
  

Task 3: This was conducted during the second trip to VINE. The objective of Task 3 was to resolve any problems that had come up since the last meeting, and provide further training for scheduling, dispatching, and reporting. This training lasted approximately 1 and ½ days.

Task 4: This was the third and final trip Mobilitat made to VINE’s offices and was done to resolve any problems that arose since their last visit. Like Task 3, this training lasted approximately 1 and ½ days and was conducted by Mobilitat staff and Cindy Johnson. The request was made to provide Mobilitat with a conference room and a white board and a 6’ table as a minimum for the exclusive use of the Mobilitat training staff while working on site.

According to the RFP, this procedure was consistent with previous training experiences with other implementations the size of VINE – a small volunteer transportation provider. This was done to bring the training and implementation to the site in which it was to be used and enhance the training by allowing the user to work with the software using local data. Prior to implementation with VINE, Mobilitat’s previous attempts to train using sample data rather than real data for integration and implementation were not as effective.

The initial training was completed within two weeks after the award of the contract. In the RFP an offer was also made for additional advanced training as needed after the 4-Task training was completed. The cost was negotiable and VINE staff never requested the additional training. Upon completion of training and installation, Mobilitat provided VINE with copies of user handbooks on CD.

K: Warranty and Quality Assurances:

Mobilitat warrants that on the acceptance date, the software furnished is free from significant programming errors and defects in workmanship materials.

Mobilitat warrants that any and all software issues, reported by other clients will be disclosed in writing before purchase commitment. These include reported issues that Mobilitat disputes.

Mobilitat warrants that the software will operate and conform to the performance capabilities, functions, and other descriptions and standards as identified in their contracts and all supplemental information provided by Mobilitat.

Mobilitat warrants that the software purchased will be delivered on schedule, and that contract services will be performed in a timely and professional manner, reasonably close to the schedule provided in the project plan (subject to approved updates).

Mobilitat warrants that qualified, professional personnel will perform all work and services as described in the contract.

Mobilitat warrants that the services and software will conform to the standards generally observed in the industry for similar services and software.

Mobilitat warrants that the software, its license to and use by the user, and the performance by licensor or the services, will comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Mobilitat warrants that the licensor will repair or replace, at its own expense, any defect in the software or the documentation the user identifies at any time during the twelve-month period immediately following the signature of contracts. Software modifications implemented by Mobilitat to repair or replace software source code will extend this warranty so that the user has twelve months from the date of written approval of installed updates to identify other errors or defects.

Mobilitat will resolve, at its sole expense, the infringement in a manner agreed to by the user via one of the following methods:

1. 
   Modify the software and/or documentation so that it is non-infringing;
   
2. 
   Obtain a license for the user to continue using the software and/or documentation;
   
3. 
   Substitute the software and/or documentation with other software and/or documentation reasonably suited to the user; or
   
4. 
   Terminate the license for infringing software and/or documentation and refund the license fees and all other contract costs and fees paid for the infringing products.
   

Mobilitat warrants that the software provided is free from intentional viruses or other intentional programming defects.

Mobilitat warrants that no person, organization, owner or web site, or other resources will be subject to lawsuit, or request for civil remedies, based on work performed related to the project and its contracts.

In addition to the warranty outlined above, Mobilitat provides toll-free telephone support during normal business hours (6 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mountain Time), and is capable of solving any software-related problems. Mobilitat also provides an emergency phone number for contact outside of normal business hours.

L. Software Upgrades:

Mobilitat offers its customers no-cost upgrades during the duration of their support agreement with the user. Authorized customers may download upgrades from the Mobilitat website (www.mobilitatsoftware.com).

M. System Backup:

System backup can be performed via external media using utilities provided by Mobilitat. To minimize the amount of down time due to a system failure, the following steps are taken:

Prior to system failure:

• 
  The user will receive an Easy Rides installation disk.
  
• 
  On a daily basis the user is expected to create backups of their database.
  

• 
  The Easy Rides system will be installed either permanently or temporarily on a different computer in the network. Both the Easy Rides installation disk and the database backup are required to perform this installation.
  
• 
  Mobilitat staff will be available to answer questions, walk through installation, or perform the installation via remote-control software.
  

The proposed system must have the following components during installation: SQL Server Database, Easy Rides installation, and GIS information. These components will be installed in one of the areas listed below:

• 
  In the server (single computer) with an SQL database and Easy Rides software installed.
  
• 
  On a workstation (multiple computers) with shortcuts to Easy Rides program on the server and GIS information.
  

The process for data migration is as follows:

• 
  The user will submit their data in electronic format to Mobilitat three weeks prior to the installation.
  
• 
  The data will then be used to develop a conversion program to move the data into the Easy Rides database. The three-week period will allow for testing and data migration.
  
• 
  The physical conversion will take place when Mobilitat staff arrives at their headquarters in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to perform the installation.
  

Routematch:

A. The Company

RouteMatch Software is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with seven additional offices across the United States. It comprises a team of software engineers, Internet technologists, computer scientists, management information experts, database management professionals, and transportation consultants. RouteMatch is dedicated to the success of its clients and has been established around a philosophy of building state-of-the-art technology and professional services, while providing unparalleled customer support and maintenance.

According to the Rout Match website, www.routematch.com, their technological vision is to minimize the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the software solutions used in the Transportation Sector while increasing the benefits of automation and cost savings derived from world-class software.

RouteMatch pioneered the use of hosted Applications, commonly called the ASP model, in its sector and has created business models that dramatically decrease the upfront costs and risks normally associated with traditional software implementation projects.

As a trusted partner and technology supplier, RouteMatch realizes that in the world of mission critical ITS technologies, success can be fleeting unless continued support is provided.  It realizes that its success depends upon the success of its customers.  For that reason, its customers are a never-ending focus as they leverage their market position to provide the very best support and ITS technologies available.

Additionally, RouteMatch has four offices in Minnesota. They have installed software in 245 public, private, and non-profit transit entities in 43 states.

B. The Software

RouteMatch sells three distinct software products, and the difference is in the level of automation that you get. Full automation (like Ecolane) costs more, while less automation costs less. Their three basic software services are:

1. 
   RouteMatch TS
   

• 
  Fully Automated Scheduling and Routing
  

2. 
   RouteMatch PM
   
   • 
     Computer Assisted Scheduling and Routing
     
3. 
   RouteMatch XP
   
   • 
     Manual Scheduling and Automated Data Management
     

These three provide ability to easily mix and match feature and functionality to deploy the system that meets operational needs. They are scaleable to easily upgrade to more advanced functionality. All RouteMatch’s screens provide a “plug in” architecture to add additional modules as needed.

Image courtesy of: RouteMatch

Above is a screen shot of a typical trip ticket. On the left side of the screen there are 9 distinct applications:

• 
  Reporting
  
• 
  Customers
  
• 
  Vehicles
  
• 
  Drivers
  
• 
  Trips
  
• 
  Scheduling
  
• 
  Dispatching
  
• 
  Verification
  
• 
  Funding Sources
  

The trips screen works in real-time to help the dispatcher schedule rides. On the upper left-hand side of the screen there is a client list. This includes every person in the database and is fully searchable. To add multiple riders to a trip, simply hold down the *Shift* key and scroll to the second rider.

On the top of the screen there is the rider’s name, time of scheduled trip, and a confirmation code. Beneath that box, there are pickups and dropoff boxes that help the scheduler coordinate ride schedules.
There is also a tab on the right-hand side of the screen that indicates previous trips – which are archived with the rider after every trip and easily accessed for future rides.

Other boxes with drop down tabs include:

• 
  Funding Source
  
• 
  Fair Type (with a comments box)
  
• 
  Mobility Type
  

Of particular note is near the bottom of the screen. There is an icon for the number of attendants with a billing category in the form of a drop-down tab that allows the person entering the trip to simply scroll and choose from any number of imputed billing agencies.

Image Courtesy of RouteMatch

This is where you can combine passengers to incorporate multiple riders and add features such as:

• 
  Isolate from other passengers
  
• 
  Service animal with customer
  
• 
  Car Seats
  

And directly below that, you can click on an icon and make the trip into a “Standing Order” that repeats itself on a calendar cycle – i.e. every hour, every day, once per month, etc.

Features:
1. Customers module:
In the Toolbar there is a list of all customers in a transit operator’s directory. You can then utilize the SEARCH feature (which is good for the large customer database that the state of Minnesota will use) to narrow your search.
2. Custom Field Tabs: You can add up to 10 custom field tabs.
3. Audit Log: you can look up changes made by administrator, date, and time. For example, why was “Elizabeth Miller changed from Ambulatory to wheelchair?”
4. Vehicles Module:
The vehicles screen allows the user to add, edit and delete vehicles and vehicle-related information such as Vehicle ID, VIN Number, Route Color, and more.
5. Drivers Module (all these modules are on the left with toolbars on the bottom):
The drivers screen allows the user to add, edit and delete drivers and driver-related information such as phone, address, comments, and Onboard vehicle device.
6. Trips Module:
The trips screen allows the user to insert or schedule a Trip in Standing Order in real-time. There is a tab for funding source here, and it is customizable based on the transportation operator’s needs (example: ADA).
7. Address Module:
The address screen holds all GeoCoded addresses and makes it easy to search, add and edit addresses with the click of a button.
8. Reporting:
There are multiple ways to get information:

• 
  Standard Reports (drivers manifest, turn-by-turn directions, productivity reports, cancels and no-shows, operating statistics, will calls, etc.),
  
• 
  Ad-Hoc Report Wizard,
  
• 
  RouteMatch Custom Reports,
  
• 
  Open Database.
  

All these reports are bundled with the software package.

Numerous Standard Reports can be run with the click of a button, exported into PDF, Excel, Word, or a variety of different data processing applications. This adds to the ease of printing data reports or manifests.
User Defined Reports allows the user to create a report in five steps. All information within the RouteMatch application can be reported on, and even customized with custom fields.


Why RouteMatch?

• 
  Online Help: Support and Maintenance
  
• 
  There is a 1-800 number for technical support, 24/7
  
• 
  To achieve efficiency of customer service, there is a remote access to the agency’s server
  
• 
  Dedicated account managers
  
• 
  Detailed User Manuals
  
• 
  Detailed Online Help Screens
  
• 
  Frequent software updates and upgrades
  
• 
  State and Regional user groups
  
• 
  Annual user conference
  
• 
  Feature requests
  
• 
  Detailed issue reporting
  

Scheduling:

RouteMatchTS ™ allows you to do batch scheduling. You can take all reservations for the day, batch them and insert the trips into your scheduling component.

ROUTEMATCH SELF SERVICE PHONE has an IVR = Interactive Voice Response system

CTS
A. The Company
CTS (Community Transit Systems Software, Inc.) has been in the transportation industry for 26 years. It was founded in 1982 as a rural community transit organization and has grown to manage numerous transportation entities across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. From that growth, a need arose for a software program that would help organize and facilitate the daily duties of CTS staff. Out of that need, CTS’ Trip Master ™ software was born. President and CEO, Huck Venters, created Trip Master ™ as a comprehensive Transportation Management System specifically for the paratransit industry. In 1996, CTS sold the transportation branch of the business and refined its focus primarily to the software.
CTS’ Trip Master ™ software includes the following features:

• 
  Scheduling
  
• 
  Validation
  
• 
  Reporting
  
• 
  Billing
  

The expressed benefits of using CTS software are:

• 
  Customized state reporting
  
• 
  Customer service
  
• 
  On-site training
  
• 
  Unlimited free technical support
  

Adam Fox, Marketing Manager for CTS, has agreed to allow Mn/Dot and DHS, as well as Region 9 (or anyone associated with this project) a 6-month free trial of CTS software. He believes the software sells itself and in good faith he will extend the offer to anyone who may want to use it in the entire state of Minnesota. Additionally, Fox is available for immediate install.

Additionally, CTS is in the process of finishing up a new version of its Trip Master ™ software that will provide upgraded features with added cost. CTS expects to launch this software in the summer of 2009. The current package, according to Fox, is still, “extremely functional” and would cost approximately $3,000 upfront and $500 per month thereafter. While this report does not focus on cost, Fox claims that this rate is well below any other paratransit software package available today.
This software will be fully web based with a terminal services application. The current plan is online but not truly web based, but currently has a browser face.
B. The Software
Adam Fox concedes that many software packages on the market today can do more than what CTS Trip Master ™ software can do, but Fox refers to Trip Master ™ as the, “Burger King” model of paratransit software. CTS software is fully customizable and will tailor its software features to any transportation provider’s needs. According to Fox, it will give transit providers exactly what they need and weed out the unwanted features. In his opinion, there is no need to spend the extra dollars on a package that would work in a giant metro like Chicago or Seattle in areas of Minnesota that wouldn’t need it.
Among the limitations of CTS’ current Trip Master ™ software is that it does not have a customizable data entry screen, or photo I.D. tag in its rider information screen.
The features:

• 
  Instant Billing and Customizable Reports
  

CTS’ Trip Master ™ software has 11 different invoices and can submit claims electronically. Trip Master ™ can produce up to 20 customizable reports ranging from On-Time performance to Revenue Data. All reports can be exported to most formats, including Excel and PDF.

Here is an example of the Revenue Data reporting screen:

There are drop down tabs for the date of the selected data, as well as the exported format – in this case, Excel. The data can be date specific or a range (i.e. between 02/01/2008 and 02/01/2009). Revenue reports can be generated for both rider and provider and include some custom data farming features:

• 
  Is the person disabled?
  
• 
  Rider name
  
• 
  Site
  
• 
  Trip number
  
• 
  Vehicle number
  
• 
  Purpose of the ride (for providers)
  
• 
  Account number
  
• 
  Driver
  
• 
  Group specific queries
  

Another example of a generated report would look like this:

Images courtesy of CTS Software Inc.

• 
  Scheduling:
  

Trip Master ™ has Computer Assisted Scheduling to ensure that passengers and trips are a perfect match. Dispatchers can edit, deleted, or move riders from trips as needed.

This scheduling screen classifies riders into three distinct categories: scheduled trips, reserved trips, and new reservations. By simply right clicking or “dragging and dropping”, passengers can be shuffled around as needed for logistical purposes. Trips already in transit cannot be altered.
Manifests, dispatch and trip logs can be printed on any one of 12 driver trip sheet formats. Here is one example of a driver manifest:

Images courtesy of CTS Software, Inc.

• 
  Maintenance:
  

Maintenance logs are found in the Maintenance Plan screen. Here there are three distinct boxes: one for scheduled maintenance, one for services, and one for vendor. Additionally, there is one spot on the bottom right of the screen for a fully customizable feature.

This maintenance plan can be exported into datasheets and used for accounting purposes.
Additionally, the Trip Master ™ Maintenance Module alerts users before the vehicle needs service and can automatically create repair orders to send with the vehicle repair shop.

The Master Maintenance Module indicates last date serviced, odometer of last service date, current odometer, next service odometer and provides the difference between the two, as well as mileage elapsed since last service.

Images courtesy of CTS Software, Inc.
Above is an image of a typical Repair Order.
C. Database
CTS uses a Sequel background with a sequel database. Like Cindy Johnson of Mobilitat, Jagat Shah of Shah Software, and Ryan Larsen of Ecolane, Fox believes that there are few, if any, paratransit agencies that use an Oracle 10g or 11g database.

Trapeze

 

A. The Company

 

Trapeze Software Group was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario with branch offices in Scottsdale, AZ; Cleveland, Ohio; Virginia Beach, VA; Denmark, Manchester; United Kingdom; Germany; and the Netherlands. With 200 employees, three partners (including Mentor Engineering, Ontira Communications, and Greyhawk Technologies Inc.), and a board of six executives, Trapeze is one of the largest paratransit software agencies in the world. Trapeze provides paratransit software to hundreds of government and commercial organizations across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

B. The Software:

Trapeze provides automated scheduling and dispatch software for a variety of transportation agencies. The various software programs available depend, largely, on the client’s needs. Trapeze offers software custom fit the following subcategories (broadly defined by Trapeze): Public Transit (both large and medium size industries), Intelligent Transit Solutions, Regional Transportation, Ridesharing & Alternative Commuting, Medical Transportation, Management Companies, School Transportation, and Community Transportation.
1. Public Transit
Trapeze divides its public transit software packages into large and medium (which Trapeze also refers to as “smaller”) transit “solutions”.

Large Transit Solutions:

Specifically geared towards large transit operations with more than 100 vehicles and thousands of employees. The key concept behind Trapeze’s Large Public Transit package is to continue operating at maximum efficiency while managing the day-to-day operations of multiple divisions on multiple fronts while staying on top of opportunities to expand and grow rider services.

Fully customizable, Trapeze’s Public Transit software for large transit operations automate most of the day-to-day operations associated with planning, managing, delivering, and measuring transit services, as well as connecting data between internal and external systems. We provide comprehensive, customized technology solutions and professional services that enable you to improve services, control costs and optimize the productivity of your resources.

Their Public Transit Solutions package for large transit operations includes the following key components:

Asset Management. Allows large transit operations to effectively manage their fleet equipment, parts inventory, and maintenance activities. Trapeze software allows the operator to implement preventative maintenance schedules. Here the software allows the organization a unique feature, the ability to “make repair vs. disposal decisions” that are based on actual cost – factoring in costs of replacing the damaged part from acquiring the part until the time it is physically on the vehicle and the vehicle is back in commission. This eliminates the need to base the decisions on purchase price alone.

Consequently, Trapeze offers fuel management systems that support continuous, real-time fuel management over most communication platforms, enabling organizations to improve accountability for metered or pulsed fuel and energy lines (including gasoline, diesel, propane, compressed natural gas (CNG), glycol and lubricants). This can reduce fuel costs as much as 15%, and decrease the number of money funneled into unnecessary replacement parts by as much as 10-20%.

Planning & Analysis. Through the implementation of “Intelligent Transit Systems” (explained later in sub-category number 2 of the Trapeze chapter in this report), vast quantities of data can be produced that are invaluable for planning purposes. External data including maps (Trapeze is contracted with MapNet for all its mapping resources), Census data, schoold enrollment ADA compliancy, are all included to help transportation and planning managers plan their course of action. This is where the question of relevancy comes into play, what data do organizations need?

The various Trapeze reports that can be generated are designed specifically to cut costs, improve service and automate the creation of reports and funding applications through integration of GIS-based tools and scheduling applications. Trapeze further catalogues the data needs into Fixed Route Planning Solutions, and Demand Response Planning Solutions.

Trapeze Fixed route planning solutions help agencies understand their routes, ridership and service areas, and plan for changing demand. Features include: 

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  Ridership analysis. Analyze ridership data, identify key patterns and develop reports
  
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  Schedule adherence. Maintain optimum service levels using GPS data
  
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  Reporting. Automatically generate NTD Form 406 random samples reports, ad hoc and standard management reports
  
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  Demographic analysis. Use spatial tools to obtain a better understanding of current and future riders.
  
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  Location analysis: spatially analyze transit and location data for better service planning
  
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  Demand forecasting: Analyze the effect of service changes and other factors on the propensity of specific groups to travel.
  

Trapeze Demand Response planning solutions enables agencies to find operational efficiencies that will ultimately lead to huge cost savings over time. These features include:  

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  Travel training. Find the best candidates for fixed route travel training comparing historical trip information to fixed route data.
  
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  Flexible routing. Use historical paratransit data to help design efficient flexible routes. 
  
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  Schedule & vehicle optimization. Reschedule trips based ‘what if’ scenarios. 
  

Routing & Scheduling. Manage the complexities of a large operation with fully automated routing (like Ecolane), timetabling, blocking, runcutting and rostering modules. 

Operations Management. Lower costs through better resource management and allocation, improve the productivity of bidding, dispatch and timekeeping teams and provide driver training to decrease operational costs while improving the passenger experience. This includes sign ups, daily dispatch, timesheet processing, workforce management, vehicle and yard management, and driver training. The idea here is that Trapeze Operations Management screens will help to lower costs and increase overall productivity through better resource and time management.

Customer Information. Delivers a range of information and interactive communication services to passengers using call centers, web sites, automated phone systems , in-vehicle and wayside systems.

Customer Information refers to how the software connects riders from point A to point B while minimizing transfers. This aspect of the software also focuses on the closes accessible stop, and when the next vehicle is leaving the station.

Trapeze uses the following media:

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  Call centers
  
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  Websites
  
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  Automated phone (IVR) systems
  
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  Wireless devices
  

All of these features can be bundled to integrate with their Intelligent Transit System (ITS), seen in the next chapter in this report. These include real-time vehicle location systems, connectivity to wayside kiosks, and on-board display systems.

Consequently, Trapeze customer services are lined with The Google Transit Trip Planner. Google Transit Trip Planner is an online service that allows the public to customize their transit trips online. For customers with Trapeze FX™ and one of Trapeze’s Traveler Information products that are current or up-to-date with their annual maintenance program, a Google export tool is available for no additional license fee.

The Trapeze export tool for the Google Transit Trip Planner enables transit agencies to export their schedule data to the service and is compatible with Trapeze Version 461 or higher. The export tool for Google Transit Trip Planner requires Trapeze FX and one of Trapeze’s Traveler Information Solutions:

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  Integration with real-time information
  
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  Multi-modal trip planning including demand response transfers to fixed route
  
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  Personalized subscription services providing travellers with transit information when and where they want it
  
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  Data capture for improved operational performance
  
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  Ability to fine tune trip planning results based on ‘real world’ requirements
  
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  Integrated voice response (IVR) functionality
  
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  Online trip planning capabilities
  

Transit Intelligence. Trapeze Transit Intelligence solutions assist all levels of transit management in making informed and timely business decisions by putting key performance indicators for each functional area of the transit business at their finger tips (for more information on the technological “Intelligence Solutions”, please see the next section of this report labeled “2. Intelligent Transit Solutions”.)

Mobile Computing and GPS utilizes real-time GPS/AVL and schedule adherence data, enabling quick information access for critical decision-making, safety of drivers and passengers, and on-time performance. Additionally, Trapeze can integrate mobile computing and GPS technologies to optimize dispatch capabilities.

Small/Medium Transit Solutions:

Trapeze has a smaller package designed specifically for transit operations with fewer than 100 vehicles and less funding for IT services. Small/Medium Transit Solutions offer fewer features, but at much less cost.

Many of the features available for Larger Transit Solutions, are available in the smaller package as well. Features such as:

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  Planning
  
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  Scheduling
  
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  Dispatch
  
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  Resource Allocation
  
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  Customer Information
  

Essentially, this feature will scale itself and tailor its features to fit with smaller transit operations.

2. Intelligent Transit Solutions
The features of the software varies between these applications, but a general idea of the hardware available for Trapeze equipped vehicles (both fixed route and demand response) looks like this:


Image Courtesy of: www.trapezegroup.com
Trapeze refers to its software as an innovation in Intelligent Transit Systems. Essentially, this refers to what the software can do in:

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  Back Office Foundation
  
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  Vehicle Systems
  
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  Dispatch Systems
  
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  Rider Services
  
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  Mobile Internet Café ™
  
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  Demand Response Systems
  

Back Office Foundation refers to the software’s ability to deliver the tools and real-time data that transit staff and managers need to plan, manage and deliver better services. Specifically, these are the types of reports that can be generated using Trapeze software:

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  Route planning
  
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  Bus Stop management
  
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  Scheduling, Runcutting and Rostering
  
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  Timekeeping and payroll
  
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  Workforce management
  
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  Schedule aherance
  
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  Ridership analysis
  
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  Demand forecasting
  
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  Standard and ad hoc reporting
  

Vehicle Systems: Trapeze has the following systems that can be fully integrated into transit vehicles:

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  Automatic voice communications control
  
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  Instant text messages to and from the vehicle
  
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  Driver command consoles
  
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  Electronic faring systems
  
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  Automatic passenger counting (CountRiteTM )
  
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  Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) operations signal priority expediting
  
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  Vehicle health monitoring
  
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  Video surveillance
  
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  Automatic announcements and rider services
  

Trapeze Dispatch Systems help dispatchers and operations centers manage services, communicate with customers and managers and capture data. The software allows transit operators an opportunity to monitor and manage a variety of elements in
real time, including:

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  Point-and-click route deviation
  
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  Real-time computer assisted dispatch
  
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  Real-time automatic vehicle location
  
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  Vehicle optimization
  
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  Resource allocation
  
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  Real-time executive information
  
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  Customer service
  
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  Mechanical data
  

Trapeze Rider Services offer a range of technology solutions. Delivering real-time information to transit riders, transit agencies and operators can offer real-time stop requests and communicate agency news, safety messages and points of interest along the route. Additionally, Trapeze allows transit agencies the ability to stream location-based advertising and entertainment directly into their vehicles. Some of the benefits, as outlined on the Trapeze website (www.trapezegroup.com) of Trapeze’s Rider Services, include:

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  Simple aural and visual annunciation preparation using PC-based tools (NextStopManager™)
  
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  Clear, precise aural and visual announcements (NextStopTM )
  
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  Automatic location- or event-based announcements
  
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  Video alternative for richer, multimedia rider experience
  
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  Multilingual capability (audio and text)
  
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  Manual and automatic triggering of canned messages
  
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  Full-motion video and passenger entertainment
  
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  Live video streaming through a broadband channel
  
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  Plug-and-play wireless integration
  

Vehicles equipped with Trapeze software are connected to wireless Internet (high speed mobile broadband networks). Trapeze can set up a mobile broadband network along any transit route or high-density transit corridor that enables data communication at speeds up to 100 times faster than conventional wide-area systems. This is what Trapeze refers to as its Mobile Internet Café ™, with the following benefits:

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  Enriches rider experience on high-density transit corridors
  
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  Attract and retain passengers with convenient, value added services
  
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  Entice more business commuters by providing seamless connectivity to home and the office
  
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  Surf the Web and check e-mail using laptops, PDAs, mobile phones and other devices
  
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  Control bandwith with appropriate tools
  

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