Paratransit Software Report June, 2009 Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Introduction	2
Scope of Work	2
Research Proposal	4
Software Agencies	8
Ecolane	8
The Company
History and Management
The Software (Ecolane DRT ™)
Mobilitat	18
A. The Company	18
B. Mission Statement	18
C. The Software	18
D. Easyrides Starter	18
Functional Specifications	23
Routematch	32
A. The Company	32
B. The Software	33
CTS	37
A. The Company	37
B. The Software	39
Trapeze	43
A. The Company	43
B. The Software	44
Shah Software
Crystal Reports	57
MS SQL	59
Glossary of terms	73
Software Agency websites and contracts	75
Matrix of features	Appendix
Some Case Studies	Appendix
Results of a Transit Survey Conducted by Region 9	Appendix

• 
  Ecolane
  
• 
  Mobilitat
  
• 
  RouteMatch
  
• 
  CTS
  
• 
  Shah Software
  
• 
  Trapeze
  

While this report is intended to be a reference for Mn/Dot and DHS for the purposes of outlining the features of these reports, Region Nine Development Commission; on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS); conducted this research based on criteria outlined in the following scope of work:

Region Nine Development Commission, on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), conducted this research based on criteria outlined in the following scope of work:

Overview:

The Metropolitan Council, in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), is soliciting proposals for a web-based paratransit scheduling and routing system. The system will be hosted by the Metropolitan Council and utilized by multiple agencies located over a broad geographic area for the purposes of coordinating rides.

The partner agencies are considering this a Pilot project for the purposes of testing an online scheduling system that allows multiple access points for transit providers, consumers and consumer advocates. The vision is the software can be used to create a comprehensive transportation network of Public Transit Providers, Governmental Agencies and Social Service providers to maximize existing resources and offer a higher level of service for consumers.

The pilot project will be conducted in two phases bringing four different transit providers on-board. The contractor must supply pricing for the two phases of the project. The partner agencies are considering this project a demonstration for the purpose of evaluating implementation of a large-scale system that may include up to multiple transit systems throughout the state. Pricing for the project should include pricing for the first phase and optional pricing for phase two.

PHASE ONE

Phase one will be completed in two different stages. The vendor shall propose pricing for both the onsite and offsite training. In addition, the vendor shall propose pricing to convert the data from all three existing sites into a common data set.

STAGE ONE:

• 
  Set up and installation at the Metropolitan Council to host the system.
  
• 
  Training in the use of system for dispatch, reservations and administrative staff at County A and County B.
  
• 
  Go live support to transition County A/County B onto the new software.
  

• 
  Training in the use of the system for dispatch, reservations and administrative staff at RISE, Inc.
  
• 
  Go live support to transition RISE, Inc. on to the new software.
  

POTENTIAL SITE DESCRIPTIONS:

County A

One potential site provides dial-a-ride, door-through-door paratransit service, deviated fixed route and regular fixed route service in this county. It is part of the seven county Twin Cities Metropolitan area. They currently used Trapeze PASS ™ for paratransit scheduling.

This county’s dial-a-ride service is a reservation only, shared-ride transit service. Door-to-door assistance is available, with lift-equipped buses. This county coordinates dial-a-ride trips with surrounding communities.

One potential county could potentially operate Americans with Disabilites Act (ADA) transit service for the Metropolitan Council. ADA service is a door-through-door, shared-ride service for certified riders who cannot use fixed-route public transit due to a disability or health condition.

Potential Site #2

This site is a part of the Community’s Social Services Department. It would be in the seven county Twin Cities Metropolitan area. It is a reservation-only, shared-ride transit service. It offers bus service for the general public as well as a volunteer driver program for medical and social service rides.

RISE, Inc.

 

Site Name	Location	Vehicles	Annual Trips
County A	Location A, MN	21 (small and medium buses)	114,000
Potential Site #2	Location B, MN	8 (small and medium buses)	48,000
RISE, Inc.	Spring Park, MN	80 (small buses and vans)	120,000

 

PHASE TWO (OPTIONAL)

Upon the completion and acceptance of phase one, the Council will consider implementing phase two which shall be conversion of the City of Hastings, River Rider Transit and Metro Mobility and all associated subcontractors to the Software System.

Vendor shall itemize pricing to add each of these locations onto the existing system.

 

Site Name	Location	Vehicles	Annual trips
River Rider Transit	Big Lake, MN	12	77,770
City Hastings (TRAC)	Hastings, MN	4	32,355
Metro Mobility and associated contractors	Various locations in the Twin Cities Metro Area	350	1.7 Million

 

III. Research Proposal  
After contracting with Region Nine Development Commission, Brent Pearson wrote this Research Proposal. It is expected that the research conducted in this report will meet each of these requirements.

1. Research Topic:

To research licensed software proposals for a web-based paratransit scheduling and routing system. This will include but is not limited to the following:

• 
  Costs affiliated with the software package;
  
• 
  Compatibility with Internet Explorer and Firefox Operating Systems;
  
• 
  Accessibility for all Internet users;
  
• 
  Successful integration of software for paratransit system in pilot communities (Scott/Carver Counties).
  

2. Methodology:

1. 
   Costs will be researched via comparisons to other paratransit systems regionally, domestically, and worldwide. Additionally, proposals will be researched through direct contact with software developing agencies.
   

2. 
   Compatibility will be researched and cross referenced with the Functional Requirements established by the Region Nine Development Commission’s “Scope of Work” and will include but is not limited to the following:
   

• 
  Web-based interface;
  
• 
  Multiple agency functionality;
  
• 
  Access to rider information database;
  
• 
  Route scheduling and optimization;
  
• 
  Dispatch and monitoring of transit routes and times;
  
• 
  Mobile network for driver/vehicle communications;
  
• 
  Databases access and archived information.
  

3. 
   Database Requirements will be researched for compatibility with:
   
   • 
     Oracle 10g or Oracle 11g;
     
   • 
     ODBC and ODBC drivers.
     

4. 
   Hardware Requirements will be researched with particular emphasis on
   

5. 
   Servers: Apache, Red Hat Linux, and other servers as suggested by software proposals will be researched and defined as background information for preliminary assessment.
   

6. 
   Training and Operation will be researched to ensure maximum efficiency of software and operating systems
   

7. 
   Licensing will be researched to ensure that the system is owned by the software agency or that necessary permission is granted to that agency for utilization in this project.
   

8. 
   The warranty will be researched to ensure long-term effectiveness and maintenance.
   

9. 
   Instillation and testing will be researched to ensure that go-live deadlines are met.
   

10. 
    References will be researched and checked to ensure that:
    

• 
  Software agency has performed similar work in the last two years;
  
• 
  Experience and qualifications are met.
  

Systems Researched:

The following systems will be researched thoroughly as per the suggestions of the Region Nine Development Commission:

• 
  Trapeze
  
• 
  Mobilitat
  
• 
  Ecolane
  
• 
  Shah Software
  
• 
  Route Match
  
• 
  Alpha Wireless
  
• 
  CTS
  
• 
  MapNet as used by RISE
  

Additional software systems may be researched at the discretion of the researcher and Region Nine Development Commission.

This research will include:

• 
  Overall compatibility with the MnDot and Minnesota Department of Human Services proposed paratransit scheduling and routing system requirements
  
• 
  Successful integration in other communities
  
• 
  Limitations of the software
  
• 
  How the software can best be used to maximize effectiveness along multiple transit lines and billing systems
  

Additional Research:

Additional research will be conducted outside of the software and system requirements to determine compatibility. This research includes but is not limited to:

1. 
   Comparison of the pilot counties (Scott and Carver) to communities that have achieved successful integration for SWOT analysis of the system within the pilot county.
   

2. 
   Survey analysis: Surveys conducted by Region Nine Development Commission will be assessed to determine compatibility of research with the paratransit software proposal. These surveys include the four key agencies involved in successful integration:
   

• 
  Questions for State of Minnesota Survey
  
• 
  Questions for Health Care Providers
  
• 
  Questions for County Human Services
  
• 
  Questions for Transit Providers
  

3. Expected Results:

1. 
   This research will be concluded before January 31, 2009. Region Nine Development Commission will use it for further assessment of the joint MNDOT and Minnesota Department of Human Services paratransit proposal.
   

Data and Information Collection:

1. 
   Multiple sources will be used for data collection. These include but are not limited to:
   

• 
  Minnesota Department of Transportation
  
• 
  Minnesota Department of Human Services
  
• 
  Scott County
  
• 
  Carver County
  
• 
  Direct telephone contact with software vendors
  
• 
  Websites of software vendors
  
• 
  Various city websites and appropriate staff
  
• 
  Technology firms
  
• 
  Census Bureau
  
• 
  Region Nine Development Commission Staff
  
• 
  Consultants specialized in the web-based operating systems
  
• 
  AARP “Enhancing Mobility Options for Older Americans”
  
• 
  Mobilitat’s “Proposal to Region Nine Development Commission for Dispatching Scheduling Software Program: Technical Overview”
  
• 
  Various Case Studies in rural and urban transportation modes
  
• 
  Various Internet research avenues
  

Surveys, charts, graphics, and data collection will be used to present results. Region Nine Development Commission, based on the facts presented in the research, will conduct full analysis of the research.

5. Bibliography and References:

Full citation and bibliographical references will be provided for this research.