Challenges
Access LYNX and Polk County Transit Services (PCTS), of central Florida, serve a large rural area. They wanted to coordinate their agencies so clients could use paratransit services when fixed-route alternatives do not exist, but identifying un-served and underserved riders was difficult. Dispatching vehicles quickly was also a problem, as was driver/dispatcher communication because of overloaded radios. In addition, drivers often had trouble navigating throughout the large service area.

Solution
The agencies chose Mentor's ITS solution, which includes Mentor Ranger®, rugged in-vehicle computers. This solution facilitates real-time messaging between dispatchers and drivers, the electronic delivery of passenger manifests to the driver, in-vehicle navigation, and automated data collection. Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) synchronizes the transfer of riders between feeder paratransit vans and fixed-route buses. They also use XMobile Manager® (XMM) software to quickly and easily update Ranger over the air.

Results
The number of no-shows is reduced as dispatchers can now give riders an accurate estimated time of arrival. On-board navigation means drivers can find their destinations quickly, reducing fuel consumption. And, electronic messages between drivers and dispatchers minimize the reliance on radios, enhancing communication. AVL lets dispatchers send the closest available vehicle to a call.

The agencies hope the success of this project will lead to more regional applications for coordinated transportation in Florida. "Regionalism is vital to our county. Getting other counties on board to broker trips will ultimately save taxpayer dollars," says Diane Slaybaugh, Senior Planner at PCTS.

"THIS COMBINES THE BEST ASPECTS OF FIXED-ROUTE AND PARATRANSIT, INCREASING MOBILITY AND OPERATIONAL COST EFFECTIVENESS. WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY, DRIVERS CAN HIT A BUTTON, SEE THE EXACT LOCATION OF THEIR PICK-UP AND GO."

- Bill Hearndon, Director of Paratransit Operations, LYNX

ROI

Enhanced Driver/Dispatcher Communication Reduced Reliance on Radios Improved On-time Performance Decreased Number of No-shows Decreased Fuel Consumption