GM Memo No. 07-277 - AC Transit

GM Memo No. 07-277
Subject: Report on Status of SATCOM system
Date: November 14, 2007
Page 4 of 6
fully use the system, operators must log-on when they begin to operate the bus. For a
variety of reasons, the District still has not achieved the rate of operator log-ons
necessary to reach the maximum utility of the system.
In March 2007 a complete system hardware and software refresh was accomplished.
This refresh enabled the CAD/AVL functions to be far more stable along with faster
refresh screens and much better system response times. Besides the performance
enhancements, the refreshed system means that staff can focus on specific efforts to
collect and report on the vast amount of data collected by the system.
One of the biggest challenges also is one of the system’s strengths: the system has
District-wide applications that impact the Maintenance, Planning, Transportation,
Security, Risk, Safety, and Information Systems Departments. As such, it has the
potential to improve functions District-wide, but also requires new ways of doing
business. For nearly two years, District staff from the above departments has been
meeting twice a month to share information and try to solve problems that inhibit the
use of the system to its full potential. Through this effort it has become very clear that
the District needs to devote more resources to making the system work more
effectively. It is equally clear that the District needs to commit staff resources
representing the various departments, each of whom has expertise in their own area
who can work as a team with a larger, system-wide goal in mind.
To that end, effective November 5, 2007, the District has formed an inter-Departmental
Systems Task Force with six team members representing key departments. The team
members were selected because, in addition to being “technical” experts in their area,
they are enthusiastic about taking a fresh approach, and using a team approach to
solve problems and logjams related to Operations Technology. The task force
members include: a Senior Transportation Planner, Transportation Planner/AVA
coordinator, Transportation Planner/NextBus Coordinator, Transportation Supervisor/
Central Dispatcher, Electronic Technician, and IS Project Manager. The group has
begun meeting and drafting long-term and short-term goals.
An Executive Committee composed of the Deputy General Manager, Service
Development, Chief Maintenance Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief
Transportation Officer will meet weekly with the Task Force to set priorities and commit
necessary resources. At this point it is anticipated that the Task Force will remain in
operation for approximately six months, at which time the scope and progress of their
work will be re-evaluated.