Introduction
Our focus CPUT transport services and the shuttle service that they provide for transportation for the students and staff. A survey was developed aimed at the all registered CPUT students of all campuses and university residences. This survey is to elicit information on how the service being offered by the transport service provider and where need of improvements is need using Information System.
For our finding students and staff that are not residing at the university residence are not permitted to utilize the bus service. There are limitations, defects and lack of effective service delivery from the bus company HG Transport Service (HGTS) contracted by the institution.
This survey was to get an understanding of the student's experiences with the shuttle service. Seven questions where posed on the students, all of which were closed-ended questions.
The first question was to establish which the students and staffs were staying, Question two was aimed at finding out if they were using the shuttles provided by CPUT, and the third question was to get an indication of how happy or certified the students are with the services provided by HGTS.
Question number four was aimed at finding if at all the time that shuttles move were convenient to students, from question five we aimed at finding out how the students feel about not having a means of communication with the shuttle drivers, and with question six we aimed at how the students would react to a mobile application as a solution to the problem of not having a communication platform with HGTS drivers.
The surveys were handed to students who reside in res and those who are using shuttle services, two students for the five residences were chosen as samples for the purpose of the research.
We could have a smartphone app and website link on real-time updates on the positioning of the bus arrival and departure time schedules.
Research Problem
The question addressed by this study is: what challenges is the students and staffs of CPUT experiencing while using the shuttle services? How user friendly, effective and efficient to the end users. Upgrading the CPUT Shuttle services using Information Systems and Technology.
The research has focused on the obstacles and steps taken during initial planning processes as well as the ongoing challenges faced by each university in the operation and managing of an effective and efficient transportation system.
Subsequently, the research has focused on the roles of key actors and organizations involved in the process, and the structure and function of the efficient transportation service for the user and how it can enhance their performance and save cost for the institution.
We strongly believe that a strong smartphone app and website link on real-time updates on the positioning of the bus arrival and departure time schedules. We will be developing a website and a Native Apps across popular mobile operating systems. Using an app, will definitely bridge the gap of missing you bus schedule and waiting for another 1 hour before you can catch the shuttle to you choice of destination around the City. It will also be relaxed interested in to CPUT CRM system and student and staff database. We will develop a Demo App and a Mobile web link using a free mobi website builder and App builder called MobileAppLoader and Zoho respectively
Research Questions
The question addressed by this study is: what challenges is the students and staffs of CPUT experiencing while using the shuttle services? How user friendly, effective and efficient to the end users. Upgrading the CPUT Shuttle services using Information Systems and Technology.
The research has focused on the obstacles and steps taken during initial planning processes as well as the ongoing challenges faced by each university in the operation and managing of an effective and efficient transportation system.
Subsequently, the research has focused on the roles of key actors and organizations involved in the process, and the structure and function of the efficient transportation service for the user and how it can enhance their performance and save cost for the institution.
Survey
A survey was conducted for the for all CPUT students residing at university Residence and using the shuttle service.
1. Would like to you use the shuttle services free available 2km radius around each CPUT campuses?
' Yes
' No
2. Choose the Residence that you live in?
' Elizabeth Women Residence?
' St Peter's Residence
' Catsville Residence
' South Point
' Woodstock
3. Do you use the shuttle services to and from varsity?
' Yes
' No
4. If yes, how do you find the service provided by HGTS?
' Very good
' Good
' Not so bad
' Terrible
5. Do you find the times allocated for shuttles convenient for you?
' Yes
' No
6. Is it a problem not having a real time communication method with the shuttle drivers, when you are at Res and waiting for a shuttle?
' Yes
' No
7. Would you use a mobile application if provided, to check the movements and notifications of shuttles?
' Yes
' No
Research Approach
The central data that has been gathered therefore it is largely comprised of a secondary literature review as well as primary accounts, obtained from primary document reviews pertaining to the implementation of sustainable transportation programs at London, UK and Cape Town, South Africa.
We look at University of Toronto, they provides a range of sustainable transportation options for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders.
Background information on the University of Toronto's currently proposed U'Pass deal forms the basis upon which information is gathered. The study's data collection targets four main components of U'Pass planning namely:
1. Impetus for proposing an U'Pass as a sustainable campus transportation solution;
2. Key actors involved in the planning and implementation of the university U' Passes;
3. Challenges encountered during the planning and implementation process; and
4. Methods and resources used to overcome implementation challenges.
(Gilman, 2009; Commuter Services, 2009).
Solution ' Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM)
Upgrading the CPUT Shuttle services using Information Systems and Technology
With the survey conducted we got negative and positive response on the questionnaire. There is a huge demand for an app or web-link with live updates on the shuttle service schedules.
Define the objectives for a solution
The solution is developing an App that will be integrated into CPUT internet infrastructure with web capabilities and native apps. We will develop a similar app like Arriva Bus App, which has been well tested and successful in London and wales using the app for students on campus for alternative CRM to university shuttle services.
We will develop a Demo App and at a later stage Mobile web link using a free mobi website builder and App builder called MobileAppLoader and Zoho respectively.
There are lots of Benefit an App will deliver to the end-users.
'Scheduled' vs 'Real time'
With the Arriva Travel App will give scheduled timetable information ' that's the planned bus times that you would see in printed timetable leaflet. So this won't take into account any delays or changes that have happened out there on the road that day as that bus proceeds along its route.
Timing points vs times at intermediate bus stops
A traditional bus timetable shows bus times at key places along the route, not at every single bus stop. Typically these would be each end of the route and then a point in each of the towns and main villages along the way.
Timetable
This feature will default to 'today'. It will either use your current location or you can input a different bus stop to start from, and it will tell you the times of the buses from that stop for the next hour. You can choose to specify desired departure or arrive-by times and which routes to see, and it will present you with timetable information and route maps.
Bus Stop Finder
This will determine where the bus stops nearest to your present location are, and list them in order, nearest first, or display them on a map. You can use the built-in compass to help you navigate to the stop.
Design and development
This is sample of the App for ARRIVA Bus shuttle, with some of the features and services it can offer to it's users.
Fig.1 Source: www.arrivabus.co.uk
Demonstration
Why is a Mobile App better than browsing the Mobile Web?
It's much faster. It takes a second to launch a Mobile App. It can take up to several minutes for a Mobile Web site to load in an area with bad reception.
Mobile Web Sites are important but they do not replace the need for Mobile Apps for the following reasons:
Mobile Apps Mobile Web Sites
Function offline Don't
Always visible on your phone's home screen Not always visible
Appear in the Apps Stores Don't
Enable Push Notifications for Direct Contact with Customers Don't
Evaluation
From the report received from the uses of a similar app called GoMetro Transport Analytics planning tool can assist planners, engineers and developers to make better decisions about their facilities. The application targets all who have an interest in transport planning. By integrating general transport planning- and GIS mapping tools, Transport Analytics can provide you with all the information needed to make informed decisions.
The insights gained from the Transport Analytics application can:
1) Assist with the identification of plausible location options for new facilities,
2) Aid in prioritizing among the new locations based on their accessibility to and from the transport network,
3) Facilitate existing facility consolidation and
4) Rank-order the location of all existing facilities based on their accessibility scores.
Essentially, the insights gained from Transport Analytics ensure the availability and profitability of a branch network of facilities by fostering accessibility. High access to areas of interest stimulates the realisation of an integrated transport system which then supports sustainable development. (GoMetro 2015)
The link on the CPUT home page will take the students to welcome view just on the mobile application and the will follow the same steps to get to the time table.
The proposed solution will help students to better their communication and improve their project documentation, as well as productivity of daily tasks. The created mobile solution will be accessible to employees, suppliers and contractors. The mobile system will send notifications to employees about upcoming meetings to remind and to help them prepare for the meetings.
Competency Specification
The contest will run on two days and will test the following in the participants:
1- Ability to innovate and design solutions in different fields, or come up with methods to improve current solutions using mobile applications.
2- Apply the design, implement the mobile application, and test it to make sure it meets the design specification.
3- Ability to work with modern mobile devices, and software development kits to develop the required implementation.
Participants are expected to be tested in programming skills and design expertise in mobile application development, for example:
1. Mobile Application SDKs (Apple iOS SDK, Android SDK, and/or PhoneGap SDK
2. Only).
3. Client-Server programming models
4. Graphical User Interface
5. Sensors & communication API programming (like GPS, Camera, Accelerometer, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.)
Recommendation
The objective of this research was to find a system or subsystem with the CPUT system that requires improvement through technology. I found that the CPUT transportation system and Shuttle services needs an upgrade using information systems.
The University Shutting service bus routing and scheduling prototype is a map based application developed for Arrivabus UK. The result of the usability test of this prototype model shows that the system developed seems to be close to operational.
This application will help the school transportation management to design shortest and fastest school bus routes which will decrease the fuel consumption and save time, and by using this system they can also allocate bus stops, which will help them in selecting the pick-up stops for the students according to their concentration in the areas. GPS will allows the school administration to keep a track on the movements of the buses involved in providing transportation to the students & thus enabling to collect the dynamic information about the student travelling activity.
These technologies can sense oncoming danger and issue timely warning to the driver and prevent many accidents, and consequently save money and reduce personal suffering. Based on experiences from other similar implementations, the system here developed will most probably provide better school routes preventing many accidents, save money and reduce personal suffering and improve the performance rate of students in the university.
As the implementation of this prototype model continues, its benefits will probably will increase both financially in the form of cost savings qualitatively in the form of service level improvements and more accurate information for University transportation department.