Transport is one of the basic necessities for infrastructural development and economic growth of any country or region. The growing urbanization of society and prospering economic and commercial activities have led to increased demand in transportation.
“Transport in its own right is not a final product for consumption but primarily a means to link the consumers and producers of goods and services together.” (Yong et al., 1995) Hence the need for transport is driven by the social and economic growth and development. This trend has led to the emergence of transport companies owning fleet of vehicles that are used as public transport or transportation of goods and supplies from one region to another.
One of the critical issues facing the transport companies is the management of a fleet of vehicles that always on the move. A public transport company owning a fleet of buses is responsible for operating and controlling the movement of buses, the routes they take, and the itinery of drivers. The goal of the transport company is to provide services that adhere to planned schedules of operation, ensure safety of drivers and driving conditions, and avoid discomfort to passengers and drivers (Huang & Zhang, 2005).Role of technology in transport managementThe rapidly advancing technology and innovative system applications have enabled the development of a well designed transport management system that facilitates the public transport companies to keep an updated information and track of present location of their buses or vehicles moving on the road.
It allows the transport operators to monitor the location and state of the vehicles that can increase the effectiveness of transport services (Huang & Zhang, 2005). The significance of transport management systems is realized in driving operational efficiency of businesses and infrastructural facilities within the region. “Transportation management is moving out of shadows and into a strategic role in driving supply chain excellence” (Manhattan Report, 2006). Hence the focus of companies and transport sector is on re-evaluation of the existing transport management processes and technology tools being applied in this sector.
A recent survey undertaken by Manhattan Associates in Aberdeen to the application of transport management systems by Best in Class transport companies revealed that such applications can make a significant contribution to their operations and efficiency. Most of the organizations in this sector are seeking to increase their efficiencies through improvements in process, technology and organizational structure (Manhattan Report, 2006).Transport management and vehicle tracking systemsThe primary objective of transport management systems is to make the transport system safer, affordable, and organized and service oriented through enhanced quality of services and vehicles monitoring system (Pandey, 2009). The computerization and use of advanced innovative tools and applications to track vehicles can ensure prompt and reliable transport services, track pollution checks, meet insurance regulations, and promote effective coordination between transport agencies and service user (Pandey, 2009).
This can help in analyzing road conditions and taking preventive measures to minimize accidents and casualties. The information age has enabled more people and transport companies to keep track of vehicles on the road through advanced wireless technologies and computing systems that can monitor the position of vehicles at any point of time. “Many transport applications can be supported by centralized location and navigation systems, which utilize the wireless communication networks, host facilities, and other infrastructure together with the on-board vehicle equipment to locate and navigate” (Bui, 2005). The benefits of such systems are visible in the form of adherence to scheduled times of arrival and departure of buses, safety and security of drivers and customers, use of smart devices to update any unforeseen events, and improve fleet management (Bui, 2005).
The technologies used by such applications are Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) that are used to locate the vehicle and gain additional information about the location and features of the place (BIU, 2005). The extended use of telecommunications technologies can also be used to predict the condition of roads that the vehicles will take, plan the optimal usage of fleet of vehicles during peak demand season, organize traffic data to enable transport companies to plan their schedules in accordance to road traffic conditions (Velasquez, 2009). In many countries electronic variable message signs or VMS is used to communicate traffic instructions and traffic or road conditions to drivers on road (Stough, 2001). This application provides detailed information related to travel conditions, road conditions, forecasted weather conditions, and construction activities ahead that might require diversion in routes.
It enables the drivers to access information related to possible detours to avoid high traffic or bad road conditions ahead (Stough, 2001).Issues and challengesHowever, simply adapting these technology systems are not sufficient – the transport systems and management processes must be modified to accommodate the high technology systems of operation for improved results (Bui, 2005). One of the essential requirements of this kind of surveillance and monitoring systems is the regular up gradation of equipment and tools being used for efficient results and desired levels of performance. Coordination and integration with sources of road and traffic information is often a key challenge faced by transport companies (Stough, 2001).
The closed circuit television systems used are old fashioned and outdated resulting in ineffective performance and lack of control in certain areas of traffic management.Another distinctive barrier faced in the effective application of such automated systems is defining the driver’s response to the messages or information received on the early warnings or road conditions ahead. It is difficult to assess and predict human reactions to the system and this is one of the major factors driving the efficiency or effectiveness of any automated system (Stough, 2001). Cost is yet another factor influencing the decision to adopt high technology systems.
There are many transport companies who do not see the viability in adopting such systems on account of increased costs of development and installation (Pandey, 2009).Public transport companies can ensure increased efficiency and performance in the scope of their services through a well integrated transport management system that is based on artificial intelligence architectural models. The knowledge based application will equip the transport operators with sufficient control over the fleet of vehicles on the road and use an advanced interactive system for effectiveness in operations (Huang & Zhang, 2005).
