WhereMobile - Mobile GPS/AVL/CAD Solutions

The Public Schools Transportation Department (PSTD) has many needs when it comes to managing buses, bus drivers and students. Tizbi, Inc. has developed a mobile interface that meets these needs—WhereMobile. Tizbi has patented (Publication number: 2005 0131 625) the only GPS solution available in the PSTD industry that provides an interactive mini computer on the bus that is scalable for the transportation department. The Tizbi solution, along with seamless integration from existing transportation information systems, provides real-time data for the bus driver. The bus driver, in turn, can submit real-time Pre-Trip and Post-Trip inspection results to the mechanic. Data that was once handwritten and stored on the bus is now sent directly to the database and made instantly available to the appropriate administrators. The return on investment for placing these devices in school buses is not only justified, but can even be improved with the addition of WhereTime, an electronic time card system.

Many tasks that were once manual and required the support of staff to work many hours to accurately collect reports regarding time, logging mileage, fuel consumption, Pre-Trip and Post-Trip, etc., have been integrated into one simple solution—WhereMobile. With WhereMobile, PSTD growth and process changes can be integrated quickly. Tizbi solutions remove communication barriers and provide users with the infrastructure necessary for growth. Now you can have a software interface that will automate many of your current and future tasks without purchasing additional hardware.

WhereMobile Process

• Compatible with CDMA. GPRS, IDEN and two-way radio data networks
• The driver arrives to the bus and logs into the system
• The driver clocks into his/her assignment (Run Route, Field Trip Extended Day Trip, etc.) using the WhereTime interface.
• The driver performs the Pre-Trip inspection and records any problems on the main database (available to users in real-time)
• The mechanic receives a list of bus incidents reported for their fleet of buses. (Each mechanic can only view the bus incidents assigned to his/her shop. Transportation Managers can view all bus incidents for their county.)
• GPS signals record the amount of time that the driver spent completing the Pre-Trip inspection.
• GPS coordinates are captured and monitored from the main server in real-time. GPS coordinates are stored in the database for historical reporting.
• Many activities are captured during the route, and include:
  • Arrival and departure time (at stops)
  • Arrival and departure time (at schools)
  • Bus speed
  • Stops at railroad tracks, stop lights, stop signs, etc.
• The driver performs the Post-Trip inspection and records any problems on the main database (available to users in real-time).
• The driver clocks out of his/her assignment using the WhereTime interface.
• The driver has access to route, stop and student information.
• The driver can view route changes and approved student information (students who are approved to enter and/or exit the bus at a specific stop).
• Thumb prints, RFID and barcodes can be scanned to verify that students enter or exit the bus.
• Bus mileage (odometer reading on the bus OBD) is tracked and recorded at all times.

WhereMobile Return on Investment to Customers:

• WhereMobile electronically notifies bus drivers of all the changes that affect their route. This eliminates the manual effort that was once necessary to communicate changes. Cost of Transportation Manager’s time (if only 15 minutes/per day), $8/per day
• WhereMobile automates the data collection process for Pre-Trip and Post-Trip inspections. This improves efficiency and saves money. Cost of driver and mechanic time (if only 1 hour for 100 buses), $15/per day
• Employee Statistics 
  • Number of vehicles in fleet: 100
  • Employees/per vehicle: 1
  • Employee regular hourly wage: $12
  • Hours saved/per vehicle/per week: 1
• Fuel Statistics 
  • Miles driven/per month/per vehicle: 2,000
  • Average fuel cost/per gallon: $2.35
  • Average miles/per gallon: 11
  • Percentage (an average of typical fleet customer with savings from Idle Time, Better Routing, and fewer non-work related miles) of expected savings: 6%
• Costs for the System
  • Monthly airtime/per vehicle: $29.95
  • Hardware investment/per vehicle: $2,200
  • Installation/per unit: $100
  • Professional installation (Average is hard to determine, for self installation please leave the Installation cost field blank): $85-135
• ROI Summary
  • Total monthly savings: $12,059.55
  • ROI break-even point: 25.9 months
  • ROI (hardware and airtime investment included):
    • Year 1: -$126,225.45
    • Year 2: $108,774.55
    • Year 3: $108,774.55
• Three year total net savings: $91,323.64