Skip to main content

Ames on schedule with INIT

CyRide, the city transit system for Ames, Iowa has partnered with INIT to implement a scheduling, block building and runcutting system, as well as a bid dispatch system for their agency’s scheduling, staff and fleet operational needs. The new scheduling software, Mobile-Plan, will streamline operations and consolidate time-intensive tasks which were previously manually performed by Ames administrative staff. The software is a modular system that completely integrates with other INIT products to ensure data
March 22, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
CyRide, the city transit system for Ames, Iowa has partnered with 511 INIT to implement a scheduling, block building and runcutting system, as well as a bid dispatch system for their agency’s scheduling, staff and fleet operational needs.

The new scheduling software, Mobile-Plan, will streamline operations and consolidate time-intensive tasks which were previously manually performed by Ames administrative staff.  The software is a modular system that completely integrates with other INIT products to ensure data consistency between scheduling, CAD/AVL and fare collection systems. CyRide currently operates 12 routes with a peak pullout of 59 buses.

Mobile-Perdis, INIT’s bid dispatch system, will benefit CyRide with the ability to perform automatic or manual dispatching functions. The software streamlines dispatching making the dispatcher aware of the exact runs his drivers are assigned to. It automatically assigns drivers to a work schedule and runs consistency checks validating the work rules and sending the dispatcher a warning if there is an issue. The new software will give CyRide the advantage of monitoring employee performance and reviews, and has the capacity to be configured to satisfy multi-union rules.

Related Content

  • April 29, 2015
    NOCoE delivers data for diligent DOTs
    David Crawford talks to Dennis Motiani about the role of the new National Operations Centre of Excellence. Consolidating the collective experience of the US transportation system’s management and operations (TSM&O) community, streamlining its information gathering, while cutting research times and costs are the key drivers behind the country’s new National Operations Centre of Excellence (NOCoE). Launched in January at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB), this sets out to be a sin
  • May 21, 2012
    Fast and efficient barrier-free electronic toll collection
    Canada’s 407 tolled highway allows non-stop travel and a fast and efficient way of paying for it. Ontario’s 407 ETR highway features one of the most advanced barrier-free and all- electronic toll collection systems in the world. The company that operates the road launched the latest phase of its strategy to provide end-to-end automation in summer 2011. A self-service website is now available, allowing users to view and pay charges online using technology supplied by the international market leaders in e-bil
  • January 23, 2012
    Centralised traffic control, managing changing traffic demands
    Paul van Koningsbruggen and Dave Marples of Technolution BV describe, using a national example from the Netherlands, how smart add-ons to traffic control centres combine to increase cross-centre capabilities and cost-efficiency. Increasingly, traffic management is becoming the natural partner of the civil engineer, improving flows over existing infrastructure to deliver an alternative to laying more blacktop. As in any emerging market, the first steps towards mature traffic management have not necessarily r
  • April 24, 2013
    Vehicle identification systems aid dynamic bus operations
    David Crawford looks at a global trend towards more efficiency in less space As buses gain increased profile in the public transport mix needed for modal shift, attention is turning towards improving terminal layouts for more efficient handling of services and passengers. Locations, too, tend to be in central areas of cities, where sites are restricted and land values high. Enter the dynamic bus station, which uses modern vehicle identification systems to optimise space use and streamline service operation