The purpose of this paper is to select and apply commercially available software to paratransit management. While the focus was on database management software (DBMS), other popular applications programs such as spreadsheets, word processing, and graphics were also investigated. The specific management functions considered for automation included vehicle scheduling, client and vehicle record keeping, financial management, and report generation for billing and performance measurement. Using actual data from a paratransit system (Call-A-Ride) which operated in Barnstable County, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, prototype data was developed. The selected software was used to automate this data base. The final product was a UserÆs Manual which was intended to assist non-technical transit managers in applying generic software products to the specific problems of paratransit management. This paper will summarize the lessons learned during the course of this project. The paper will discuss the data base management software (DBMS) and focus on its application to the scheduling function. The software selectedwas MircorimÆs R:base 4000.
Samenvatting