8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
1/19
Software for Paratransit Within and Beyond the ADA
The Automation of Paratransit
Demand Response Transportation ACase Study from Helsinki, Finland
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
Moderator: David Rishel Sami Pykk, CEO, Ecolane
Ryan Larsen, Technology Consultant, Ecolane
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
2/19
The Automation of Paratransit
Demand Response Transportation ACase Study from Helsinki, Finland
Ryan LarsenEcolane
Technology Consultant
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
Sami Pykk
Ecolane
CEO
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
3/19
Automation of DRT in Helsinki
A Little History
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
Centralized call center provider
Proprietary company schedulingtechnology waterline repair
scheduling software
Quality of service issues
Goal- End-to-end scheduling
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
4/19
Automation of DRT in Helsinki
A Little History
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
Decentralized Call Center
TDC Song selected as the broker
Multiple providers
Ecolane selected as end-to-endscheduling solution
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
5/19
Automation of DRT in Helsinki
A Little History
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
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
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
6/19
Automation of DRT in Helsinki
Scheduling Trips to a Vehicle
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
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
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
7/19
Automation of DRT in Helsinki
Use of MDTs
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
Information sent and received from
Java application on unit (GPS enabled)
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
8/19
Automation of DRT in Helsinki
Statistics
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
600 Sq Miles
1 million population
1 in 4 in Finland live in Helsinki area
Extensive lakes and waterways toschedule around
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
9/19
Automation of DRT in Helsinki
Statistics
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
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
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
10/19
Automation of DRT in Helsinki
Statistics
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
2.57 RPH (based on NTD)
0.5% No-shows
> 8% Cancellations
96% + OTP 40% of trips shared ride
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
11/19
Automation of DRT in Helsinki
Advanced Technologies
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
Fixed Route itinerary look-ups within
DRT scheduling application Feeder-to-fixed schedule look-ups
Web based self service scheduling
MDTs on all vehicles 2 Way Comm.
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
12/19
Automation of DRT in Helsinki
Advanced Technologies
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
Google Earth to enhance customer
service and driver training Real time vehicle monitoring
Tie into Google Transit
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
13/19
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
Google Earth Look-ups
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
14/19
Real Time Vehicle Monitoring
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
15/19
Automation of DRT in Helsinki
Advanced Technologies
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
Use of Linux as platform
MySQL as OS Huge $$$ savings
Linux Stability Total
unplanned downtime
of 15 minutes in 16 months (24x7x365)
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
16/19
Automation of DRT in Helsinki
Lessons Learned
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
3-D Approach: Data, Dispatch, Drivers
Ability to make changes to the servicein a fast paced environment
Tightening down on system issues
Avoid mid-winter changes in cold
weather climate
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
17/19
Automation of DRT in Helsinki
Application in the US
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
What are areas of greatest concern forparatransit scheduling and dispatch?
What prevents the US market fromscheduling service in a real time
environment? What are aspects that you see as most
transferable to the US?
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
18/19
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
Rocket Scientists Need Not Apply!
8/14/2019 Ecolane DRT 2007 APTA Presentation
19/19
Automation of DRT in Helsinki
Contact us
2007 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
Ryan Larsen
Come visit us at the trade show in
booth 206
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