BusBoss Routing

Routing Screen

BusBoss uses a split screen for routing functions. One side of the screen displays all the route information in text format, the other side of the screen displays the graphic map with the route highlighted. This screen setup is unique to BusBoss and makes it easy to create and modify your routes.

On the text screen, you can get information at each stop including the time at the stop, the miles traveled, and the names of students.

BusBoss allows you to display the names of students at any stop on the route from the route text screen. You can open a student record from the routing screen, make changes to the student record, and have them immediately effective upon return to routing.

All routing functions are performed using the graphic map of the district. You do not have to change to a different screen to accomplish these tasks. All map-editing functions (zooming, information, adding roads, adding bus stops, etc.) are also available to you during the routing process.

Types of Routes

Routes can be created to transport students in any combination, such as multiple schools, on the same set of buses. Transfer routes can be created and all students needing transfers will be automatically assigned. Different routes can be set for each day of the week for each bus. For example, a route can be set up to run only on Tuesday/Thursday and a different variation on Monday/Wednesday for the same bus.

Create Stops

BusBoss creates bus stop descriptions automatically based on the name of the nearest street or intersection. You can manually change the description if necessary. User-defined stop descriptions are permanent in the system, and do not need to be modified until a change is desired. Bus stops can be set to service multiple schools, eliminating the need for duplicate stops.

BusBoss allows you to create door-to-door stops. Simply add a bus stop on the map at the house location and use the house address as the description. This house stop can now be assigned to that student.

Check out our blog on how districts are using BusBoss for School Bus Route Optimization.

Fleet Optimization

Fleet Optimization is a tool to automatically create hypothetical bus routes using your current student stop locations, school assignments, bell times, maximum bus loads and student ride times for increasing the efficiency of the transportation for those students.

Fleet Optimization will automatically generate optimal routes for individual or combined schools using selected criteria. The routes created do not affect the current routing used throughout the district. These routes can then be analyzed using complete bus schedules, passenger lists and route driving instructions. Individual routes can be made active so users have the ability to make manual adjustments, as needed. Once the routes are active they are available to be used immediately.

Optimized route paths are generated while taking into account any travel restrictions (height, weight and turn restrictions) road hazards (one-sided pickups), roadblocks and one-way roads. Ideally, reducing the number of buses and drivers required where inefficiencies exist.

Transfers

BusBoss will automatically assign students to transfer buses as needed. Simply create the transfer route and BusBoss will assign the students. Morning and afternoon transfer information will also print on postcards for notifying parents.

Students Attending Second Schools

BusBoss gives the ability to assign students to shuttle buses as needed, for example Vo-Tech students. Simply create the shuttle route and assign the students. Students assigned to shuttle routes are included in all of the routing reports.

Display Routes

Route paths and stops can be displayed using different colors for each route. You can display routes by bus number, driver, purpose (pick-up, drop-off or noon-kindergarten), or by school. It is easy to determine where routes can be made more efficient by seeing where route paths are overlapping on the map.

Roads Used By Routes

Users have the ability to display a list of the routes that travel along a specific road. This information can be used to determine the appropriate routes for inserting new stops.