Schedule Optimization

“Schedule Optimization” is a term frequently used to describe a scheduling software feature that allows users to rapidly review their demand trip vehicle assignments before finalizing a schedule for the next service day and printing or electronically distributing manifests to their drivers. The assumption is that schedule vehicle assignments made over the course of the last week or so leading up to a service day may not have yield an “optimal” or “best” schedule. Standing order trips are not changed in this review procedure since they are generally considered to be “optimal”. By reviewing all the demand trip assignments the scheduler can determine if improvements in vehicle efficiency (reduced vehicle travel miles) or better on-time performance is possible.

The PtMSIS Interactive Scheduler supports “Schedule Optimization” by providing the scheduler with the means for loading a schedule day, removing the vehicle assignments for all demand trips in the schedule with a single click, batch schedule all the demand trips again with a few clicks of the mouse, then review the “optimized” schedule to determine if improvements are possible. This entire process can be performed as a “what if” scenario with no permanent changes to the actual schedule. The PTMSIS Interactive Scheduler maintains the schedule in its own work files and does not update the SQL database schedule records until the user selects the “Update Schedule” button. This allows schedulers and managers the freedom to perform these analyzes without impacting their live operation.

Once the scheduler determines that the “optimization” process is successful, the revised vehicle and time assignments can be transferred to the PtMS SQL schedule table with a single click.

Here is a more detailed look at a “Schedule Optimization” process that can be performed in minutes:

Step 1: Assess schedule to determine “initial performance level”.
Step 2: Remove Demand Trip Vehicle Assignments
Step 3: Batch Schedule all demand trips and assign then to vehicles
Step 4: Assess revised schedule performance level and compare to initial performance level
Step 5: If schedule can be “optimized” and improved, update schedule with revised vehicle assignments

Step 1: Assess schedule to determine “initial performance level”.

Step 2: Remove Demand Trip Vehicle Assignments

Step 3: Batch Schedule all demand trips and assign then to vehicles

Click “Select” box then click “Batch Trips” button to batch schedule selected trips in a few seconds (about 100 trips per ten seconds). Review schedule on-time performance using “Trips Report” to determine if any late trips are in the schedule and need to be re-scheduled.

Step 4: Assess revised schedule performance level and compare to initial performance level

Step 5: If schedule can be “optimized” and improved, update schedule with revised vehicle assignments