Tablet Computer Drives Improvements To Public Transit System
DLI, a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile tablet and in-vehicle computers and TWJ Consulting, a Midwest-based technology consulting firm announced recently the implementation of the MobilityDR technology system for the Denver Regional Transportation District's (RTD) Call-N-Ride demand responsive. Using MobilityDR the Denver RTD is able to connect riders directly with Call-N-Ride drivers, improving both the system efficiency and customer satisfaction of this unique service.
The MobilityDR technology system provides an innovative solution to the operational management and customer interface needs of the RTD's Call-N-Ride service, a curb-to-curb transit service operating within designated geographic service areas of the RTD system. These demand responsive transit (DRT) services are tailored to the specific conditions of each service area, and are characterized by a customer-centric focus that makes drivers and the mobile technology they use the focal point of both customer communication and operational intelligence.
MobilityDR consists of Web-based software used for order booking, automated scheduling, and operational management activities working in conjunction with a mobile application used for trip booking and scheduling. The mobile portion of the MobilityDR system runs on a GPS-enabled DLI 8300 Rugged Tablet computer and serves as the system's mobile computing and communication platform. Securely mounted in a locking vehicle cradle, the ruggedized DLI 8300 also includes 3G and WiFi wireless communication capabilities. The DLI 8300s were provided by the US-based rugged computer manufacture, DLI, based in LaPorte, Indiana.
"The Denver RTD project perfectly illustrates the diverse range of markets into which our DLI rugged tablets operate," stated DLI president Bryan Wesolek. "In this particular instance, our rugged mobile devices serve as an in-vehicle communications and computing hub, leveraging our configurable, locking vehicle cradle and multiple, integrated wireless radios to better connect driver, dispatcher and customer."
As implemented for the RTD, MobilityDR relies on ESRI's ARC/Info platform to provide a variety of geographic information services, including real-time geo-coding, dynamic determination of time of day-based service area boundaries, and post-service delivery data analysis. The use of ARC/Info tools has enabled the RTD to use GPS data to refine locational geo-coding in office/industrial park environments and significantly improve the accuracy of travel time and pickup time estimates.
The MobilityDR technology system has provided numerous benefits to the Denver RTD, its customers, and its service providers. For drivers, it has improved productivity, reduced errors, and provided continuous updates and displays of information. For customers, it provides self-service trip booking and automated notifications of expected pick-up times. For the contract service providers, it has improved scheduling consistency and efficiency, largely eliminated data entry by drivers and office personnel, and made possible real-time, remote service monitoring. For the RTD, it has made possible extensive quality control reporting, including GIS analysis; has enhanced data capture, reporting accuracy and completeness; and improved customer service and service productivity with automated scheduling that accommodates feeder service and various checkpoint configurations.
Roger Teal, President of TWJ Consulting, notes that "not only has introduction of the MobilityDR system provided many benefits to the stakeholders of the Call-N-Ride service, but it also demonstrates that the RTD, which has consistently been ranked as one of the top transit agencies in the country, is capable of using state of the art mobile computing and communication technologies to improve its performance."
The MobilityDR technology system is a highly configurable and adaptable suite of applications suited for a variety of demand response transportation uses. MobilityDR is available for demonstration by appointment-only with TWJ Consulting.
About DLI
DLI, located in LaPorte, Indiana, is a privately held company engaged in the design and manufacturing of rugged mobile computers. With additional domestic offices in Minnesota and Ohio, and an Asian sales and service office in located Taiwan, DLI brings to market rugged products that capture, create, and exchange data throughout the entire mobile enterprise.
A proven industry leader, DLI pairs nearly 20 years of product development, installation experience & integration expertise with a renowned in-house service depot. All DLI products are designed, manufactured and serviced in the United States at the LaPorte corporate facility.
About TWJ Consulting, LLC
Located in the Chicago suburb of Wilmette, Illinois, TWJ Consulting is a consulting firm in business since 1994 that combines expertise in operations research and optimization, scheduling systems, and data collection, modeling and analysis to deliver custom technology solutions to complex operational problems that increase productivity and performance for its customers.
SOURCE: DLI