In transport management, the term “optimisation” is often overused, with many software providers claiming to offer “optimised” solutions.
However, a closer look reveals that these systems are built on manual inputs and educated guesses – which is not what optimisation is.
Many transport software programs, especially those used in community transport, may be functional but still require operators to manually enter pickup and drop-off times without checking if these times are feasible based on real-world conditions.
This reliance on manual planning leads to inefficiencies, delays, and frustration for both transport providers and passengers.
Solving the Puzzle
Watching Road XS doing route planning automatically, is like having the puzzle solve itself, where every piece effortlessly falls into place because the system already knows the complete picture, saving you time and ensuring real-world accuracy.
Road XS changes this. It was the first software to accurately verify and calculate pickup and drop-off windows whilst also factoring in individual passenger requirements.
With Road XS, traditional route planning becomes irrelevant.
Fully automated transport booking software is essential for demand-responsive transport (DRT) and Dial-a-Ride services, where precise, on-time pickups and drop-offs are crucial to maintaining passenger trust.
If you’re still relying on manual route planning or guessing pickup and drop-off times, your transport service isn’t moving forwards – it’s now falling behind.
That’s because you’re not using true route optimisation .
The Problem with Manual Input and Guesstimates
Transport providers using older forms of software, also known as legacy software (which often has poorly designed interfaces and looks like something out of the 1980s), face a common challenge: manually entering estimated times for each journey.
This means that if a transport provider wants to schedule multiple pickups or drop-offs, they must rely on their judgment, experience, or rough estimates to determine whether the proposed times are possible.
The software does not check traffic conditions, distances, journey feasibility, or whether passengers will arrive on time. Essentially, these systems are just advanced spreadsheets with limited functionality.
The operator is literally just putting in text and numbers and seeing an output they have entered.
This is not optimisation. This is just data in and data out, with nothing happening in between.
The result of this?
Operators often create schedules that may appear efficient on paper but fail to reflect the real-world challenges of the road. As a result, delays, missed pickups, and unrealistic timetables become commonplace, causing frustration for passengers and operational difficulties.
This can also lead to overcrowded vehicles or missed revenue opportunities when allocators are overly cautious, schedule too few passengers on service, and make buses appear empty and poorly used.
These inefficiencies can disrupt day-to-day services and damage the reputation of the transport provider.
Manually working out pickup and drop-offs is like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle without seeing the picture on the box—you’re constantly guessing where the pieces fit, hoping everything works out.
Watching Road XS do route planning automatically is like having the puzzle solve itself, where every piece effortlessly falls into place because the system already knows the complete picture, saving you time and ensuring real-world accuracy.
Road XS Provides True Optimisation with Real-World Accuracy
Road XS changes the game by optimising correctly and removing the guesswork from scheduling and route planning.
The critical difference with Road XS is that it doesn’t require you to input or estimate timings manually.
Instead, the software allows you to input either a pickup time or an arrival time, and it calculates everything for you against the latest Google mapping technology, factoring in numerous scenarios humanly impossible to calculate in a second.
Using real-time data powered by Google Maps, Road XS creates routes for real-world factors like traffic conditions, roadworks, and journey distances (and a whole lot more!).
The system checks whether the proposed timings are achievable and, if not, suggests alternative times.
This dynamic scheduling ensures that the service you’re offering is not only feasible but also efficient – plus it’s super quick.
This real-world accuracy helps transport providers avoid common pitfalls such as scheduling vehicles too tightly or underestimating traffic conditions. It ensures passengers arrive on time for critical appointments or to attend school or work, drivers follow the most efficient routes, and overall service is far more reliable.
The result?
Transport operators can book passengers onto their services instantly and even cater to more tech-savvy passengers who book themselves via an app. This means you can operate the best of both worlds and stop wasting hours each day building unrealistic routes.
The route is driven by the demand of the day and generated instantly.
The Benefits for Transport Providers
- No More Guesswork: Instead of relying on manual inputs and estimations, Road XS automatically calculates feasible routes and times, eliminating the risk of human error.
- Real-Time Adaptability: With real-world data from Google Maps, Road XS continuously adapts to changing road conditions, ensuring that your schedules remain accurate, even as conditions shift.
- Efficient Resource Management: Using real-world data to optimise routes, Road XS allows transport providers to use their vehicles and drivers more efficiently, potentially reducing fuel costs and improving service quality.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: Passengers benefit from more reliable services, as Road XS helps ensure that pickups and drop-offs are always realistic and achievable. The software instantly provides an accurate pickup and drop-off window.
- Stress-Free Scheduling: The system provides alternative times if a proposed journey can’t be fitted into the schedule, ensuring that all trips are feasible without manually adjusting and reshuffling other bookings. This means passengers can book an hour in advance on the day of travel, making life much easier for both the operator and passenger.
Road XS delivers the future of transport software today by combining intelligent optimisation, real-time data, and an intuitive user experience for all.
It’s not just about creating schedules; it’s about creating schedules that work in the real world and making your transport services accessible and responsive for all.
This is what proper optimisation looks like—leveraging technology to reduce the guesswork, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall experience for everyone involved.
In today’s environment, anyone still manually entering pickup and drop-off times is not only wasting time and money but also losing out to those who are already optimising their services with Road XS.
Don’t get left behind; book your demo today.
