Detroit Department of Transportation
Company Size
1,000+
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- Ecolane DRT Brokerage Software System
- Touch screen MDT software on Android tablets
- SMS Text Messaging
- Self-Service Web Bookings
- Google Transit Integration
Tech Stack
- Android
- SMS
- Web Bookings
- Google Transit
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Cost Savings
- Customer Satisfaction
- Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
- Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS)
- Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Applicable Industries
- Cities & Municipalities
- Transportation
Applicable Functions
- Business Operation
- Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases
- Fleet Management
- Predictive Maintenance
- Remote Asset Management
Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) is a public transportation agency serving the city of Detroit, Michigan. It operates a comprehensive network of bus routes and services aimed at providing reliable and efficient transportation options for residents and visitors. DDOT is committed to enhancing mobility and accessibility within the city, ensuring that public transportation meets the needs of its diverse population. The agency faces the challenge of managing a large fleet of vehicles and coordinating with multiple subcontractors to deliver timely and efficient transportation services. With a focus on improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, DDOT continuously seeks innovative solutions to address the complexities of urban transportation.
The Challenge
DDOT faced several challenges including poor communication between management and drivers due to reliance on paper manifests and outdated technology. Coordination between DDOT, the previous broker, and subcontractors was cumbersome due to manual scheduling processes. This resulted in limited visibility into driver data, scheduling, and execution, causing drivers to frequently run behind schedule. Staff had to manually collect all pick-up calls for the next day by 4:30pm and compile them into a report to send to each provider, leading to disjointed delivery of customer trips. Additionally, there was zero visibility into how trips were being booked, and the scheduling method often resulted in multiple provider vehicles being dispatched to pick up a single customer.
The Solution
DDOT implemented the Ecolane DRT Brokerage Software System to address its challenges. The solution included touch screen MDT software on Android tablets, ensuring that 100% of vehicles in operation daily were equipped with modern technology. The system also featured SMS text messaging, self-service web bookings, and Google Transit integration to streamline communication and booking processes. A subcontractor portal was introduced to provide added visibility, and an advanced reporting system with an ad-hoc reporting tool was deployed to enhance data analysis and decision-making. These technological advancements aimed to improve scheduling efficiency, increase visibility into driver data, and enhance overall operational performance.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
Case Study missing?
Start adding your own!
Register with your work email and create a new case study profile for your business.
Related Case Studies.
Case Study
Turning A Stadium Into A Smart Building
Honeywell created what it called the “intelligent system” for the National Stadium in Beijing, China, turning the venue for the opening and closing events at the 2008 Summer Olympics into a “smart building.” Designed by highly controversial artist Ai Weiwei, the “Bird’s Nest” remains one of the most impressive feats of stadium architecture in the world. The 250,000 square meter structure housed more than 100,000 athletes and spectators at a time. To accommodate such capacity, China turned to Honeywell’s EBI Integrated Building Management System to create an integrated “intelligent system” for improved building security, safety and energy efficiency.
.png)
Case Study
Smart Street Light Network (Copenhagen)
Key stakeholders are taking a comprehensive approach to rethinking smart city innovation. City leaders have collaborated through partnerships involving government, research institutions and solution providers. The Copenhagen Solutions Lab is one of the leading organizations at the forefront of this movement. By bringing together manufacturers with municipal buyers, the Copenhagen Solutions Lab has catalyzed the development and deployment of next-generation smart city innovations. Copenhagen is leveraging this unique approach to accelerate the implementation of smart city solutions. One of the primary focus areas is LED street lighting.
Case Study
Airport SCADA Systems Improve Service Levels
Modern airports are one of the busiest environments on Earth and rely on process automation equipment to ensure service operators achieve their KPIs. Increasingly airport SCADA systems are being used to control all aspects of the operation and associated facilities. This is because unplanned system downtime can cost dearly, both in terms of reduced revenues and the associated loss of customer satisfaction due to inevitable travel inconvenience and disruption.
Case Study
IoT-based Fleet Intelligence Innovation
Speed to market is precious for DRVR, a rapidly growing start-up company. With a business model dependent on reliable mobile data, managers were spending their lives trying to negotiate data roaming deals with mobile network operators in different countries. And, even then, service quality was a constant concern.
Case Study
Buoy Status Monitoring with LoRa
The Netherlands are well-known for their inland waterways, canals, sluices and of course port activities. The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure indicates that there are thousands of buoys and fixed items in and near water environments that would profit from IoT monitoring. One of the problems with buoys for example, is that they get hit by ships and the anchor cable breaks. Without connectivity, it takes quite some time to find out that something has happened with that buoy. Not to mention the costs of renting a boat to go to the buoy to fix it. Another important issue, is that there is no real-time monitoring of the buoys at this moment. Only by physically visiting the object on the water, one gains insight in its status.
