Ecolane Drt 2007 Apta Presentation

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Software for Paratransit – Within and Beyond the ADA The Automation of Paratransit Demand Response Transportation – A Case Study from Helsinki, Finland Moderator: David Rishel • Sami Pöykkö, CEO, Ecolane • Ryan Larsen, Technology Consultant, Ecolane

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference The Automation of Paratransit Demand Response Transportation – A Case Study from Helsinki, Finland

Sami Pöykkö Ecolane CEO Ryan Larsen Ecolane Technology Consultant

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Automation of DRT in Helsinki A Little History • Centralized call center provider • Proprietary company scheduling technology – waterline repair scheduling software • Quality of service issues • Goal- End-to-end scheduling

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Automation of DRT in Helsinki A Little History • • • •

Decentralized Call Center TDC Song selected as the broker Multiple providers Ecolane selected as end-to-end scheduling solution

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Automation of DRT in Helsinki A Little History • Transition 12/31/05 • Reservations process • Scheduling process
Prior to day of service
End of day to start of service next day
Day of service

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Automation of DRT in Helsinki Scheduling Trips to a Vehicle • Scheduling algorithm constantly looking for most efficient vehicle • Trips sent to the MDT for delivery • Driver must respond within specified time or next vehicle is selected

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Automation of DRT in Helsinki Use of MDT’s •Information sent and received from Java application on unit (GPS enabled)

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Automation of DRT in Helsinki Statistics • • • •

600 Sq Miles 1 million population 1 in 4 in Finland live in Helsinki area Extensive lakes and waterways to schedule around

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Automation of DRT in Helsinki Statistics • • • • •

Up to 2000 scheduled trips/day +/- 20 for ambulatory; +/- 10 for W/C 30% trips scheduled 1 hour or less 1 supervisor per shift No Dispatchers or schedulers

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Automation of DRT in Helsinki Statistics • • • • •

2.57 RPH (based on NTD) 0.5% No-shows > 8% Cancellations 96% + OTP 40% of trips shared ride

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Automation of DRT in Helsinki Advanced Technologies • Fixed Route itinerary look-ups within DRT scheduling application • Feeder-to-fixed schedule look-ups • Web based self service scheduling • MDT’s on all vehicles – 2 Way Comm.

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Automation of DRT in Helsinki Advanced Technologies • Google Earth to enhance customer service and driver training • Real time vehicle monitoring • Tie into Google Transit

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Google Earth Look-ups

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Real Time Vehicle Monitoring

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Automation of DRT in Helsinki Advanced Technologies • Use of Linux as platform • MySQL as OS – Huge $$$ savings • Linux Stability – Total unplanned downtime of 15 minutes in 16 months (24x7x365)

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Automation of DRT in Helsinki Lessons Learned • 3-D Approach: Data, Dispatch, Drivers • Ability to make changes to the service in a fast paced environment • Tightening down on system issues • Avoid mid-winter changes in cold weather climate

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Automation of DRT in Helsinki Application in the US • What are areas of greatest concern for paratransit scheduling and dispatch? • What prevents the US market from scheduling service in a real time environment? • What are aspects that you see as most transferable to the US?

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Rocket Scientists Need Not Apply!

2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference

Automation of DRT in Helsinki Contact us • Ryan Larsen 712-764-9101 [email protected] • Come visit us at the trade show in booth 206