Improved Efficiencies in Transportation through use of GPS

About the Program

Category: Transportation (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

Macomb County Community Services Agency (MCCSA) provides transportation services to low income people for medical appointments, transports children in the Head Start program, delivers hot and liquid meals for routes in the Meals on Wheels program, and provides shuttle service for participants in Michigan Works job programs. Unfortunately, Macomb County has been forced to reevaluate their transportation services due to budget cuts. Macomb County Community Services Agency sought to improve the efficiency of its vehicle fleet through the implementation of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. Installation and use of GPS technology allowed MCCSA to reduce fuel consumption, improve transportation routes, and reduce driver hours, while simultaneously increasing service levels. These improvements have reduced operating costs and increased the safety of drivers and passengers. In the 2010-11 fiscal year , MCCSA experienced a 6%, or $5,400 reduction in fuel consumption because of the implementation of GPS technology. Due to the more efficient routing, MCCSA has been able to expand routes to provide transportation service to more children in the Head Start program without increasing route times.