Route Planning



 Introduction

The Transportation Department of the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario strives to provide a safe, comfortable, efficient, reliable and cost-efficient transportation system to serve all the needs of all students within the school board’s jurisdiction.


Philosophy

The Transportation Department of the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario continues to be a leader in the province of Ontario in delivering safe, efficient, reliable and cost effective transportation to our students by:

a)   Maximizing the use of each school bus to achieve efficient transportation services.

b)   Maximizing financial resources allocated to the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario in a way which exemplifies fiscal responsibility.

c)   Ensuring effective communication to all stakeholders.


Annual Plan
The planning cycle is formalized to ensure transportation staff have a clear understanding of the expectations in evaluating existing routes and runs.  This plan also includes the principles required for the modification of routes and runs to maximize efficiency for the next upcoming school year.

A detailed yearly plan has been formulated, identifying specific tasks, responsibilities, and delivery dates for the purpose of obtaining September startup requirements and monthly objectives.


Route Optimization

Routing Schemes
When planning for the next school years transportation requirements, particular attention is geared toward different routing strategies.  Routing strategies may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Reassessment of stop locations

  • Combine when possible different schools/programs to maximize bus utilization

  • Capacity review

  • Design runs to travel the most logical and efficient path

  • Adjustment considerations for pick-up and drop-off windows

  • Examine various run type options, i.e., double, triple, combination, shuttle, transfer, and perimeter bus runs.

Bell Times
The Transportation Department has a leading role in evaluating school bell times on an annual basis to assess opportunities for operational and financial efficiencies.  As part of the evaluation process, consultation with coterminous boards, bus operators, superintendents, and principals is critical in identifying opportunities and operational impact.  Consultation with stakeholders addressing the rationale and impact of future changes facilitates system-wide consensus.


Software Utilization
The Transportation Department of the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario employs the use of MapNet Transportation software, developed by Trapeze Software, Inc.  This software was acquired in, and has been in use, since 1995.

Routing Software

  • MapNet Transportation Software:
    The MapNet transportation program is a tool for the planning and management of student transportation. The program allows the user to establish parameters to ensure that stops are placed at safe locations, optimization of routes and bus schedules, setting eligibility for transported students, and all the while maintaining transportation information on all students within the Board.
  • Redistricting:
    Redistricting is a module of MapNet software. The Redistricting application is used to define or redefine attendance boundaries for schools within our district in an effort to shift or balance the student population. The program provides tools needed to assess current enrolment counts, classroom allocation and grade statistics for future growth and promotions. The ultimate objective of the redistricting module is to balance school enrolment and reduce transportation costs. Finalized redistricting plans are then uploaded to the MapNet Transportation software.  These plans are then translated into school boundaries within MapNet to determine students’ eligibility for transportation.
  • MapNet Web:
    MapNet Web is a module of MapNet Transportation software. MapNet Web delivers secure, real-time school bus transportationinformatoin via the web to bus operators and school staff. MapNet Web provides imporved communication of transportation service and also reduces paper reports sent to stakeholders. Bus operators and schools now have the ability to view student transportation arrangements, detailed route infomration and address inquiries with respect to school of attendance. All this information can be viewed on screen or printed by the user.

Communication
One of the most crucial aspects of maintaining a transportation software system such as MapNet is the ability to effectively communicate transportation information to parents, schools, bus operators, drivers and Board staff.  Communication is arrived at in a variety of ways.

  • Bus Operators and Drivers:
    Bus operators have the ability to access real-time student and route transportation information via MapNet Web. All changes, additions and deletions of students’ transportation arrangements are made by route clerks and the system is updated three times daily. In the event of inaccessibility, a manual system is deployed.
  • Schools:
    Schools have the ability to access real-time student and route transportation information via the student information system, Maplewood. As well, schools have the ability to generate routing reports via MapNet Web or Maplewood as deemed necessary.
  • Parents:
    Parents are notified of their child’s September transportation arrangements by way of a written notice generated through MapNet or by accessing our Board website for secure online student information. Throughout the school year, if transportation arrangements are altered for a student, the parent is notified by phone or written notice.