Case Studies Suburban TransNet Case Study

Edit This Case Study Record

	Suburban TransNet Case Study

Suburban TransNet Case Study

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS) Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Applicable Industries	Cities & Municipalities Transportation
Applicable Functions	Business Operation Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases	Fleet Management Predictive Maintenance Remote Asset Management
Services	System Integration Training
Challenge	TransNet was utilizing an 11-year-old version of their previous software, which had been operating without any maintenance for the majority of that time frame. As upgrades were happening, functionality and reliability steadily declined. Additionally, all of TransNet’s processes were manual due to the lack of automation capabilities in their previous software. Read More
About Customer	Suburban Transit Network, Inc. (TransNet) creates access to community resources and employment by consistently providing safe, cost-effective, reliable transportation for residents and businesses of Montgomery County and surrounding areas. Beginning as a small pilot program, and developing into a large and diverse regional transportation resource, TransNet has come a long way since its inception in 1980. TransNet is a transit option designed to provide convenient, low-cost transportation. Initially, it focused on meeting the needs of senior citizens and disabled persons, doing so through exclusive relationships with existing Montgomery County taxicab companies. Today the organization is complex and comprehensive; the direct result of decisions made in the late 1980s. TransNet serves groups of seniors and disabled persons, and contracts with school districts, colleges, and private companies to offer specialized transit services and commuter shuttles. Read More
Solution	Implementation of Ecolane DRT Software for reporting, data analysis, and supply and logistics. The agency needed a software solution that would increase efficiency and improve overall operations. Ecolane DRT scheduling and dispatching software (hosted by Ecolane) was implemented along with Ecolane Touch Screen MDT software for Android Tablets. Subcontractor Portals were created for the review of only specific provider details. An advanced Ecolane Reporting System along with an Ad-hoc reporting tool was also implemented. Extensive PennDOT custom reports were developed to meet specific needs. Ecolane was heavily involved in the implementation process and assisted TransNet with the change management needed to ensure a successful transition. TransNet had a number of procedural issues arise during the initial Ecolane implementation, including resistance from consumers, sub-contractors, and business partners. Ecolane’s team was available onsite throughout the implementation to address these issues. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics

Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS)

Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems

Applicable Industries

Cities & Municipalities

Transportation

Applicable Functions

Business Operation

Logistics & Transportation

Use Cases

Fleet Management

Predictive Maintenance

Remote Asset Management

Services

System Integration

Training

Challenge

TransNet was utilizing an 11-year-old version of their previous software, which had been operating without any maintenance for the majority of that time frame. As upgrades were happening, functionality and reliability steadily declined. Additionally, all of TransNet’s processes were manual due to the lack of automation capabilities in their previous software.

About Customer

Suburban Transit Network, Inc. (TransNet) creates access to community resources and employment by consistently providing safe, cost-effective, reliable transportation for residents and businesses of Montgomery County and surrounding areas. Beginning as a small pilot program, and developing into a large and diverse regional transportation resource, TransNet has come a long way since its inception in 1980. TransNet is a transit option designed to provide convenient, low-cost transportation. Initially, it focused on meeting the needs of senior citizens and disabled persons, doing so through exclusive relationships with existing Montgomery County taxicab companies. Today the organization is complex and comprehensive; the direct result of decisions made in the late 1980s. TransNet serves groups of seniors and disabled persons, and contracts with school districts, colleges, and private companies to offer specialized transit services and commuter shuttles.

Solution

Implementation of Ecolane DRT Software for reporting, data analysis, and supply and logistics. The agency needed a software solution that would increase efficiency and improve overall operations. Ecolane DRT scheduling and dispatching software (hosted by Ecolane) was implemented along with Ecolane Touch Screen MDT software for Android Tablets. Subcontractor Portals were created for the review of only specific provider details. An advanced Ecolane Reporting System along with an Ad-hoc reporting tool was also implemented. Extensive PennDOT custom reports were developed to meet specific needs. Ecolane was heavily involved in the implementation process and assisted TransNet with the change management needed to ensure a successful transition. TransNet had a number of procedural issues arise during the initial Ecolane implementation, including resistance from consumers, sub-contractors, and business partners. Ecolane’s team was available onsite throughout the implementation to address these issues.

Impact #1	Significantly reduced staff hours for reporting and data analysis during monthly audits. Before Ecolane, staff would have to manually verify data line-by-line in the driver logs against the data recorded in their previous software to determine if trips were successfully completed and accurate. This took tremendous amounts of time and the data was never accurate. Due to the real-time capabilities of Ecolane’s software, TransNet was able to simplify their processes and have accurate data and reports available whenever they needed it.
Impact #2	Reduced staff by 3 full-time positions due to reporting capabilities for billing and centralizing Call Center through software.
Impact #3	Improvement in on-time performance and trips per hour. Ecolane’s GPS capabilities also made responding to and fielding complaints easier because TransNet had accurate and immediate real-time data from the driver’s routes to demonstrate exactly when and where they were if there were ever doubts about a pickup or drop-off.

Impact #1

Significantly reduced staff hours for reporting and data analysis during monthly audits. Before Ecolane, staff would have to manually verify data line-by-line in the driver logs against the data recorded in their previous software to determine if trips were successfully completed and accurate. This took tremendous amounts of time and the data was never accurate. Due to the real-time capabilities of Ecolane’s software, TransNet was able to simplify their processes and have accurate data and reports available whenever they needed it.

Impact #2

Reduced staff by 3 full-time positions due to reporting capabilities for billing and centralizing Call Center through software.

Impact #3

Improvement in on-time performance and trips per hour. Ecolane’s GPS capabilities also made responding to and fielding complaints easier because TransNet had accurate and immediate real-time data from the driver’s routes to demonstrate exactly when and where they were if there were ever doubts about a pickup or drop-off.

Benefit #1	Reduced staff by 3 full-time positions.
Benefit #2	Over 3,300 trips per day utilizing over 300 vehicles.

Benefit #1

Reduced staff by 3 full-time positions.

Benefit #2

Over 3,300 trips per day utilizing over 300 vehicles.

Download PDF Version

Overview

Suburban TransNet Case Study

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit