Multi-Vehicle Dial-a-Ride Routing Platform for Efficient Medical Transportation

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Case Study Summary

Industry

Healthcare, Logistics

Client

NEMT company

Location

New York, USA

Project duration

1 year

Team

2 FTE

Services

MVP Development, Web Service Development, GIS development, API Integration

Project overview

GIS Art created a web service to tackle the dynamic multi-vehicle Dial-a-Ride Problem (DARP) for a medical transportation company. It automated dispatching and optimized routes and schedules, cutting costs, increasing performance, and enabling the client to secure new contracts.

Сhallenge

The medical transportation company struggled to manually dispatch and route trip requests with strict time windows for a fleet of vehicles. This approach caused delays, increased costs, and limited scalability. As a result, profitability suffered, and the company faced challenges meeting growing demand.

They needed an automated system to optimize scheduling and routing based on vehicle capacities, driver work shifts, and allowing shared rides. The solution had to reduce costs, improve dispatch efficiency, and handle real-time demands. Addressing the multi-vehicle Dial-a-Ride Problem (DARP) required a tailored, data-driven approach.

Solution

Our Approach

Research and MVP

We began by researching and selecting the most effective DARP algorithms. A .NET library was created as an MVP to implement and customize these algorithms and serve as the foundation for further development. Also, a test application was created.

Web Service Development

To make the solution more reusable, we built a web service that supported concurrent user access. This stage also included performance optimization and feature additions tailored to client needs.

Incremental Improvements

The project evolved through iterative updates, including enhancing algorithm efficiency and automated testing. This approach ensured reliability and faster feature releases over the platform’s lifecycle.

Main Features

Automated routing and scheduling trip requests for available vehicles based on the requested trip locations and times, levels of service, vehicle capacities and locations, driver work shift hours, and traffic.
Updating the schedule by adding or canceling a trip request.
Centralized management of input and output data.
API for dispatch systems and driver applications.

Tech Stack and Architecture

Tech Stack

GIS: OSRM
Programming Language: C#
Framework: .NET, WCF
Testing: Automated unit tests using .NET
Infrastructure: AWS Cloud

Software Architecture

The solution consists of a web service that uses a modular .NET library implementing scheduling and routing algorithms. It supports concurrent access and seamless integration with external systems.

Infrastructure

The system uses AWS Cloud to ensure high availability and reliable performance under varying loads.

Business Outcomes

The custom platform delivered significant operational and business advantages for the medical transportation company:

Cost Reduction: Automated routing and scheduling minimized the need for manual intervention and optimized routes, cutting operational costs and increasing efficiency.
Improved Resource Utilization: Optimized routes and schedules allowed the company to maximize the use of its fleet while meeting customer demands more effectively, thus increasing the performance and revenue
Improved On-Time Performance (OTP): The optimization of routes and schedules decreased delays and improved customer satisfaction.
New Business Opportunities: The solution enabled the client to secure partnerships and contracts for a transportation broker, expanding their market presence.

These outcomes positioned the client as a more competitive and reliable service provider in the medical transportation industry.

Client Review

“’They’re very knowledgeable; they’re a team of professionals. Give them exciting projects. They won’t take a project just to make money.”

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Contact us

Start the Conversation Today

Looking to optimize your business with GIS solutions?

At GIS Art, we help streamline operations and enhance customer experience through efficient GIS implementation. Uncover patterns and actionable insights derived from spatial data. With over 11 years of expertise in GIS software development for Transportation, Healthcare, Real Estate, and beyond, we can unlock the potential of your business.

Let’s talk!