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DRT works by allowing passengers to choose their pickup and drop off locations within a defined service zone. It is a form of personalised shared-transport allowing passengers to book transit in a flexible manner through a smartphone app, website or call centre.
DRT can also be set up to provide public transport feeder services to commute hubs, used for non-emergency medical transport or community transport as well as corporate transport.
DRT software is even being used to power the routing and scheduling of autonomous vehicles.
This is enabling fleet operators and transit agencies with a way to maximise the efficiency of their fleets.
The underlying differentiator to traditional transit services is the inclusion of a reservation mechanism resulting in a personalised and convenient mode of transport.
DRT has enabled transit agencies and fleet operators with a way to service areas of lower-density where economics or feasibility of fixed-route, mass transit is untenable.
As technology has improved, DRT platforms are becoming increasingly popular, improving scheduling and routing optimisation and delivering full-fleet orchestration unseen until recent times.
This means, fleet operators and transit agencies are able to improve their fleet coverage and deliver a superior passenger experience.
We’ve characterised the difference DRT technology by its ability to service three main areas;
Phone-based scheduling
Manual assignment of vehicle dispatch
Inefficient vehicle dispatch and higher cost of operation
Computer aided vehicle dispatch
Live vehicle tracking for operations
(Some) routing optimisation - typically run one day in advance for next day shift
Requires manual entry and/or periodic fleet optimisation
Full scheduling and routing of vehicles for passengers
Auto-dispatch of vehicles
Optimised to handle last-minute bookings for passengers
Vehicle supply ratio is critical to service advanced booking demand
Queues multiple requests then dispatches available vehicles
Inconsistent vehicle dispatch for advanced bookings means less certainty of actual pickup time
Full scheduling and routing of vehicles for passengers
Continual optimisation of fleet movements for greatest efficiency
Handles advanced and last-minute bookings for passengers
Matches request to available vehicle and guarantees pickup option
Encourages more pooled trips
Guaranteed advanced bookings will be prioritised over last-minute requests
This is the most flexible service offering and will allow for the creation of many temporary nodes within a service zone. A passenger can choose to be picked up and dropped off at any point within the service zone. Fleet movements are based on the most efficient route to service a known passenger manifest.
Similar to a hub-and-spoke fixed-route model, a vehicle has the ability to create temporary nodes or pickup locations anywhere within a service zone and connect passengers to a central hub. This model makes a case for replacing existing underperforming fixed-route feeder services. With DDRT feeders, they can cover a larger area more efficiently than a fixed-route 40-seater bus and personalised service.
This type of design consolidates multiple pickup requests into one ‘meeting point’, thus onboarding multiple passengers at the one location. This allows for a fleet to service a high demand period more effectively as onboarding capacity is doubled or tripled resulting in efficiency gains and a higher passenger per vehicle hour ratio. It requires additional understanding from the rider, but leads to more efficient services during high demand times.
Allows for passengers to transfer from one geographical service zone to another without the need to change modes or vehicles. This is effective and can dramatically improve the passenger experience. However, if the technology is not configured correctly this can cause inefficiencies as vehicles miles driven may increase.
This allows for frequent pickups typically on a loop or feeder service, where buses will have visibility to the demand at each stop and only set down if a passenger is waiting. This model can be configured to take advantage of walk-up demand to certain stops or take pre-booked trip requests.
Need a better way to understand onboard capacity?
Implement our Transit Tracker solution for a quick way to understand exactly what’s happening with all your buses.
Quickly identify underutilised vehicles for further investigation
Rapidly apply social distancing protocols with ease
Future-proof your fleet to easily transition to DRT
Want more from your transit data?
We’ll help to analyse your transit data so you can optimise your fleet movements and lower the cost of operations.
Run comprehensive feasibility studies for DRT
Replace underutilised fixed-routes and improve coverage
Simulate real-world outcomes with the same technology powering DRT projects across the globe
One platform to power your transit.
No more expensive software to run specialised transit services.
Future-proofing fixed-route transit
Know exactly who is using your fleet
Easily adapt onboard social distancing protocols
Set fleet utilisation indicators to minimise operational costs
Improve your first-mile, last-mile commuter transit offering
Easily adapt service zones to increase coverage
Lower the cost of operations
Suited for low-density rural or urban settings
Relieve stained parking infrastructure
Provide employees with affordable and convenient transport
Remove the cost of car ownership and retain staff
Non-emergency medical transport that’s efficient to run
Easily configure accessibility requirements to meet the needs of your passengers
Remove the cost of car ownership and retaiOptimised scheduling & routing for a lower cost of operationsn staff
Demand-responsive scheduling and routing optimisation for driverless fleets
Minimise under-capacity running
There are many problems that a DRT service can solve.
We’ll help to provide valuable insights on how best to design, deliver and grow your service.
The following stages outline a series of tasks to focus your goal creation for your next DRT project.
A comprehensive marketing and communications plan should accompany all DRT project plans.
Educating the public about your new service takes time and your communications strategy should account for this.
An on-demand marketing playbook like this one outlines some key tactics and gives you free templates to download and use.
It will help you understand what capabilities you have in-house and what you will need to outsource.
This can present a significant cost saving opportunity when compared to engaging a full-service agency to develop and execute your marketing & communications plan.
Download our MARKETING PLAYBOOKDo you need to collect data for a new service design?
Do you have service data and want simulate a new service?
Have you completed a pilot and ready for launch?
We’ll help design your next DRT service and ensure you have a successful launch
We’ll use our proprietary simulation platform to provide you with a service simulation and feasibility report and get you ready for launch
We’ll customise an app design and build your platform with our turnkey service
We’ll help support your marketing efforts with our years of experience
You’ll get a long-term partner that will grow your business with on-call support
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