A Complete Conceptual Model for the Integrated Management of the Transportation Work

Public transport faces a challenging period in which relevant operators invest in telematics systems in order to upgrade their internal operations and improve the services provided. Moreover, the public transport system has become quite dynamic during recent years, in the sense that the performance, effectiveness, and quality of its processes depend, to a large extent, on the factors affecting the vehicle’s daily transportation work. Under the Ph.D. program at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Telematics Applications in Public Transport, the lack of a complete management information model, that will effectively integrate traditionally static and dynamic public transport operations was identified. This article provides an overview of the management information model MIDAS—the result of a six-year research and development effort, aimed at fulfilling this gap. The article puts particular emphasis on the methodology applied and the techniques employed for development of the model. MIDAS contains three types of interrelated models: data model, functional model, and dynamic model. These models are the basis for the design and development of information systems for the planning and management of public transport operations. Journal of Public Transportation, Vol. 7, No. 4, 2004 102 Introduction This article provides an overview of the integrated management information model MIDAS, developed in the context of the Telematics Applications in Public Transport Ph.D. program at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The particular needs served by the model are explored, with emphasis on the methodology adopted and techniques employed for its development. The ultimate goals of telematics applications in the public transport sector are to improve the services offered and to optimize them overall in economic and environmental terms by means of intermodal and information communication mechanisms. These goals can be specified even further through the provision of high-quality information covering multiple systems. Thus, more efficient use of existing transport infrastructures and smoother transport flows enhance efficiency and safety, as well as reduce energy consumptions and accidents. The Association of German Transport Undertakings (VDV), which has a long presence in public sector telematics and published “Telematics in Public Transport in Germany” (2001), notes that telematics services are based on fast data transfer making use of advanced telecommunication networks and the processing of the exchanged data through hardware and software. Recent trends in the public transport sector, as well as in the wider transport sector, imply that relevant operators adopt integrated information technology (IT) solutions to unify the technological environment. Giannopoulos and Tyrinopoulos (1999) demonstrated that, especially in public transport, this integration is even more compulsory, because operators often invest in different software applications for specific corresponding functional domains. Giannopoulos and Tyrinopoulos noted that operators also handle an extensive volume of data generated by a variety of sources. Therefore, the interoperability and interconnectivity of these software applications and data sources are significant goals to achieve in order to maximize the benefits for public transport operators. The Need Lack of Operability Element and Its Consequences Information is an asset for all modern public transport operators that want to upgrade their computerization infrastructure and improve services provided to customers (passengers). Information has to be accurate, comprehensive, and provided in a timely manner. However, efficient information flow, accuracy, reliability,