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Evaluating The Use of RouteMatch Software in Billings MET Transit. David Kack, Program Manager Mobility and Public Transportation. TRB Rural Conference October 20, 2008. Agenda. Technology Overview MET Transit Overview Implementation and Evaluation. Technology Overview.
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Evaluating The Use of RouteMatch Software in Billings MET Transit David Kack, Program Manager Mobility and Public Transportation TRB Rural Conference October 20, 2008
Agenda • Technology Overview • MET Transit Overview • Implementation and Evaluation
Technology Overview • Computer Aided Scheduling and Dispatching Software (CASD) • Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) • Mobile Data Communication (MDC)
General Outcomes • CASD software reduces vehicles in service from 200 to 130 • Santa Clara County, CA • CASD software reduces its operating cost per vehicle-mile 8.5 % and its operating cost per passenger 2.4% • Winston-Salem Transit Authority Source: Volpe, 2000
Billings MET Transit • City of approximately 102,000 • Largest city in Montana • MET Transit is a City Department • MET operates both a fixed route and paratransit system (MST)
MST • Must be ADA Paratransit Eligible • Provides 250-300 rides per day • Fifteen total vehicles • Eight vehicles out on a “typical” day • Can have up to 12 vehicles out on a busy day
MST Software • Mobility Master Software • No support after 2003 • Looked for support for purchasing new software
Process • Initial Paper – Billings MET Transit Paratransit Technology Review • “Sales Calls” by Vendors • RFP • Installation – “Go live”
Evaluation • Collect three months of “before” data • Collect three months of “after” data • Same three months • Try to hold all variables constant • Fuel • Weather and road construction • Demand • Etc.
Evaluation Factors • Rides per mile • Rides per hour • Cost per ride • Pick up time performance • Drop off time performance • Survey results from dispatchers • Survey results from drivers
Cost • Purchase price = $83,575 • Annual fee = $11,835 • 5 year life span • $28,550 savings needed to breakeven • Equates to 3.3% savings needed in hours and/or mileage to break-even
Summary • Not enough information for a benefit/cost analysis • Break-even analysis shows only small (3%) reduction in service hours, or mileage necessary • 2006 vs. 2005 data shows rides/mile and rides per hour increase in efficiency
Additional Research • Follow-up to see if efficiency continued into 2007 and 2008 • Resurvey drivers and dispatchers
Contact David Kack, Program Manager Mobility and Public Transportation Western Transportation Institute 406-994-7526 dkack@coe.montana.edu www.wti.montana.edu