Optimized Travel Routes

Challenge

TransLink needed support for both geospatial management and with GIS capabilities for the Student Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS) – a scheme providing financial assistance for school students’ travel costs, based on the eligibility criteria of shortest-route travel distance from the students’ residence to the nearest state school. There are approximately 140,000 recipients of STAS subsidies, so the task of implementing a successful shortest-route GIS product was critical to the allocation of travel subsidies.

Solution

GIS People developed automated data creation and deployment processes, consolidated data processing methods from regional and whole-of-state data sets, and implemented a shortest-route GIS product. GIS People also provided general GIS assistance to TransLink in reviewing suitable web-based mapping solutions, establishing a GIS server platform and supporting them in the management of school-bus, taxi and limousine districts across Queensland.

Outcomes

• GIS products allowing TransLink to quickly assess shortest-route travel distance from home to school for any Primary or Secondary student.
• System in place to ensure rigour and consistency across Queensland.
• GIS software and server platform that best suit TransLink’s needs.
• MapInfo Professional training for staff.
• Automated data creation and deployment from Head Office to regional offices.