Intelligent systems are accelerating the evolution from automobiles to alternate methods of commuting to work.

Here’s a recap of a webinar from LILEE Systems that revealed the opportunities these technologies bring and the upside for employers.

To kick-off the webinar, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta underscored how outdated infrastructure and other urban commute challenges are driving a shift to new public- and privately-owned transportation approaches. He referenced passengers commuting between San Francisco and Silicon Valley on buses with wifi and other services as one example of how these systems address those challenges.

Public-Private Partnerships

According to Mr. Mineta, collaboration at the local level is getting drivers out of their cars as companies work with cities and counties to promote options, benefits and incentives. WeDriveU is seeing this trend nationwide, facilitated by organizations we support such as Commute.org, 128 Business Council and Movability Austin.

Intelligent Transportation Systems

Onboard technology is playing a vital role in this evolution. Girish Apte from LILEE Systems described how organizations can leverage IoT (Internet of Things) data from mobile systems for insights that address transportation goals, including:

• Predictive and prescriptive analytics (i.e. optimizing routes and providing usage analytics)
• Validation and ticketing
• Increasing performance, optimizing utilization and improving safety

In addition to operational insights, Apte highlighted how customers and partners leverage LILEE’s broadband platform to transform the passenger experience, not only powering connectivity that improves productivity on mobile devices, but also expanding onboard entertainment and communications.

Employers Thrive

The webinar spotlighted a case study on a WeDriveU Commuter Shuttle program for a corporate client running LILEE on 10 motor coaches for employee commutes to and from headquarters. The client’s program is eliminating hundreds of single occupancy vehicles each day.

Employer shuttle systems like these are “a natural choice,” added Apte.

Apte pointed out one of the most valuable findings from LILEE’s partnership with WeDriveU is how connectivity influences behavior within each client program. Insights reveal how passenger wifi use changes between the morning and evening commutes and how it differs between short and long runs.

When asked how to measure the ROI of these systems, Apte said, “A happy, productive workforce is my great return on investment.”

“A happy, productive workforce is my great return on investment.” – Girish Apte

WeDriveU couldn’t agree more, and we’re thrilled our mutual clients are achieving these results.

Watch the replay for more tips, including: 7 success factors for a transportation system, using telematics and demographics for analysis and what to look for in a platform.

Like to bring a shuttle program like this to your organization? Read about new approaches to Commute Alternatives. Explore options for your commuters with WeDriveU managing your transportation system and LILEE facilitating connectivity. Contact us to learn more and visit WeDriveU at the 2016 Association for Commuter Transportation International Conference July 31-August 3 in Portland, Oregon.

Special thanks to Girish Apte and our friends at LILEE Systems for spotlighting WeDriveU on the webinar “Connected Commuter: Giving More to Your Passengers and Getting the Most from Your Intelligent Fleet.” We also thank moderator Alex Roman, Managing Editor of METRO Magazine, for hosting this informative session. 

Motorcoach image: WeDriveU

Worker on bus image: Shutterstock