www.tripspark.com

3 THINGS TO TELL YOUR BOARD TO EXPLAIN A TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE

EDUCATION

©2015 TripSpark Technologies, its subsidiaries and affiliates. All rights reserved. Any trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

2

3 THINGS TO TELL YOUR BOARD TO EXPLAIN A TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE

You can start by telling your board these three things:1. Transportation service increases enrolment & retention

2. Transportation technology improves student safety

3. World-class educational institutions deserve the best

College dollars only go so far. Transportation may not be considered the

flashiest area in which to show off a large spend, and yet you are tasked with

the job of maintaining and improving your service. If you’re wondering how to

justify a major technological purchase for your transportation system, you’re

not alone. As campus services age, there is a tendency to foreground the

more visible areas to spend funds for revitalization initiatives. However, as

technology and mobility are becoming a guiding force behind how students

interact with their college services, it is becoming increasingly obvious that

technology spending should be made on campus transportation software. In

other words, it’s not a “futuristic” dream to have sophisticated transit system

with support for mobile devices and full passenger information systems. In

the next 10 years, it will be expected – the norm, even – to be able to provide

this level of transit service.

At some point, every campus is going to have to upgrade their transit

systems due to aging of vehicles, the need for alternative fleets, increased

need for demand responsive services, etc. This eBook is intended to develop

the argument for upgrading present transit operations to accommodate for

technology now and long into the future. As well, there are various examples

3

3 THINGS TO TELL YOUR BOARD TO EXPLAIN A TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE

3

throughout that tell the story of Yale University and

why / how they decided upon campus transportation

software and solutions. Ed Bebyn is the Transportation

Director at Yale University and is perfectly situated

to provide insight into the main issues facing campus

transportation operation as well as the specific

concerns of administration, students and parents. Much

of this eBook is drawn from information provided by Ed

and built upon his history at Yale.

There are a number of areas where spending on

transportation services can improve campus life, but

we have chosen only to regard these three areas

listed above. As well, we could also divide campus

transportation services into three separate categories

for: fixed route, demand responsive and shuttle

services. Instead of examining in depth each of these

distinctive transit methods, it’s easier to lump them

together for brevity’s sake. This eBook provides an

overview of what the top concerns are for both campus

transportation operators and the boards to whom they

are responsible. In order to justify a technology spend,

we take a look at how improved transit can improve

campus life and therefore, improve the overall bottom

line of the entire institution to show an ROI for campus

transportation software.

4

3 THINGS TO TELL YOUR BOARD TO EXPLAIN A TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE

1. Increasing Enrolment and RetentionThe National Center for Education Statistics shows

a 6% increase in enrollment of “degree-granting

institutions” between 2001 and 2011 [source]. Statistics

show a projected increase of over 2 million students

entering colleges in the next 8 years. Now is not the

time to be cutting services. Expectations will be high

when it comes to on-campus life. In order to attract

students, campuses need to grow and enhance

their infrastructure, transit networks, communication

networks, etc. Quality campus transportation services

create an atmosphere that encourages new students to

choose your college over your competitor.

Is Campus Transportation Software a Bell or Whistle?When a college board looks at a list of yearly

expenditures, which ones do they consider to be

essential? The odds are essential services are those

that promote community, maintain safety and build

their brand as a business. Your campus transit system

contributes to each of these areas. However, software

solutions are sometimes thought of as a bell or whistle.

This may have been true in the 1980s in an era before

texting, smartphones and mobile payment options.

Now, what once was a “want-to-have” has become a

“need-to-have.” If your campus was unable to provide

Wi-Fi or cellphone service in the early 1990s, no one

would complain. In fact, almost no one would even

notice. Today, 83% of millennials are reported to own

a smartphone [source], which means they are more

likely to prefer using mobile devices to access transit

information.

In a recent TripSpark webinar on technology and

transit, Tim Witten from Blacksburg Transit in Virginia

remarked how his agency serves as a prognosticator

of the future of transportation. Because of the high

volume of Virginia Tech users to his system, he says

that “millennials expect you to have a higher level of

technology than your traditional rider.” In other words,

the expectation of mobile connectivity and the access

to passenger information is going to be the main

concern of all riders and mobility managers over the

next ten years.

Reduction in Parking Expenses for Students and CampusesWhether students live on-campus or take public transit

to it, reducing parking expenses is a major concern.

Boston College, for example, has parking permit costs

that reach upwards to $787.00 for the year. Students

looking to drive to college are faced with the financial

burden of operating and being responsible for a vehicle.

An alternative solution would be an extremely attractive

selling feature to a school. Transit would likely be

preferred if it were convenient and available.

An increased use in your transit system can also reduce

the strain on parking lots and spots. Did you know

that Yale University ranks an A when it comes to their

Transportation services “Yale Shuttle and Yale Minibus.”

[source]

Why should this matter to your board? Congestion

of campus streets makes an unsafe environment for

pedestrian traffic, hinders the movement of campus

vehicles and creates a polluted space for the majority of

5

3 THINGS TO TELL YOUR BOARD TO EXPLAIN A TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE

students, teachers and staff who populate these areas.

They can also redirect funds that would otherwise be

used for new parking structures, lots and spots.

Increased Relationship to TransitStudents want better access to all campus services. This

is true if they are looking for a restaurant or are waiting

for a bus. Social media has already connected your

student body. They know exactly where and when events

are scheduled and have insight in who is going, how

much things will cost, what may be required, what they

should wear, etc. This deeper relationship with events

has caused students to rely heavily upon their mobile

devices and the Internet. It has become second nature

to have access to many pieces of information. Other

transportation services have already entered into the

mobile sphere.

Why should this matter to your board? When you

increase your riders’ relationship with your transit

system, you actually increase your students’ relationship

to their college. Building a community depends upon

an infrastructure dedicated towards communication

and transportation. Perhaps there’s a large amount of

attention and funding dedicated towards sports events/

facilities/programs. In the end, how are your students,

teachers and staff intending to get to and from these

events? With better transportation, there may be

increased attendance at localized events where parking

and access are limited.

Full Integration with MobileStatistics show that at least 83% of millennials have

a smartphone device through which they connect,

communicate and pay for services/products. Many

campuses deem Wi-Fi an essential service offering. If

this is true, then what else can be deemed an essential

service now and ten years from now? Transit information,

vehicle location, estimated time of arrivals of demand

response vehicles and connection to municipal transit

are going to be essential for the future student

population.

Why should this matter to your board? The Internet and

mobile technology will dominate the future of campus

life. For example, looking up a book in the online library

catalogue saves much needed time over conventional

methods of visiting the physical library. No college would

cut funding to their library website, so why would they

assume that transportation services are any different?

Check out this Yale University success story that follows

the demand and subsequent implementation of a

campus software solution. Their experience is a great

example of how an improved transportation system can

impress students and increase riders per vehicles per

hour.

The number of UCAS applicants who own a phone which can receive content at any time has risen by 122% since 2010, the results show. [source]

6

3 THINGS TO TELL YOUR BOARD TO EXPLAIN A TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE

2. Transportation Technology Improves Student SafetySafety has become a hot-button topic for universities

and colleges in the past decade and every institution

needs to take it into consideration when building plans

for the future .Student safety depends upon a number

of factors, for example:

• The training of security personnel

• Having various communication networks in

operation (for example the Blackboard System)

• Access to safe and on-time transportation

A student waiting for a van to show up may be less

inclined to remain in an unsafe area, for fear of missing

her or his ride. Knowing exactly when to make their

way to a designated stop increases a student’s sense

of control over their safety so they can make more

informed decisions about when to make their way to a

stop. This paper examines the responses to real time

transit information. It says that, “reduced perceived

waiting time makes passengers feel less time of

exposure to potential danger or crime.” Passengers

are then given more opportunity to modify their own

behavior in response to each unique situation.

Why should this matter to your board? Being able to

boast to students and parents about having a safe

campus is of utmost importance. Passenger information

and on-time performance guarantees are proof that an

institution has taken necessary steps to improve their

safety standing. Riders need a passenger information

system that provides the ability to plan trips and

monitor the on-time status of buses and vehicles.

Such a system can be MyRide, which is a web-based

application that can be accessed via a computer or a

mobile device.

Real-time traveler information contributes to an increased general feeling of security against crimes at public transport stops in general and especially after dark

[Source]

3 THINGS TO TELL YOUR BOARD TO EXPLAIN A TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE

7

3. World-class Educational Institutions Deserve the Best

This Mashable article from 2012 describes an academic environment in which four

out of five students believe campus-wide Wi-Fi access is an essential service. At that

time, 51% of campuses were set to upgrade wireless networks.

In order to justify spending tuition dollars, students require a long list of services as

part of their education experience. Decent transportation services are high on their

list of expectations. Your board, as well, should consider what they expect from their

spending. While new buildings and facilities are vital to increase curriculum and social

offerings to students, an investment in technology will continue to benefit students

long after an event or even a building has become obsolete. For an institution

to present itself as forward-thinking, innovative and future-proof to advances in

mobile computing, connectivity, wireless communication, then they must commit an

appropriate amount of funds to this end.Students want more technology on campus. Three out of four don’t feel like their schools are using technology effectively enough. [Source]

8

3 THINGS TO TELL YOUR BOARD TO EXPLAIN A TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE

Attract More Than Just StudentsWhen selecting a post-secondary institution, students rate quality faculty as an important factor when looking at

the credibility and authority of an educational institution. In order for a college’s culture to grow, you need to attract

the highest level of professors as well as students. When the younger, more tech-savvy generation graduates into

becoming teachers and professors, they are going to expect more from their academic employers.

Why should this matter to your board? Technology and transit infrastructure are going to be important to the quality

of professors your institution may be courting. It’s not enough to simply impress your students, but your employees

and teachers also deserve the best in quality transit.

Connecting to an Urban CenterUrban centers provide students access to international culture, arts events, sporting events, etc. For some

institutions, their proximity and integration with the transit of a nearby urban center is a selling feature that greatly

affects their enrolment. You need to ensure integration between your transit system and the surrounding public

transit system. Riders need to know where and when they can connect with the shuttles and buses that will take

them to and from a city center. This is especially true of students who are unfamiliar with your city and your campus.

Why should this matter to your board? As technology spending increases in public transit, colleges are going to need

to keep up with new innovations in order to remain connected. Otherwise, there will be a huge gap between the level

of service experienced in a city’s transit system and the quality of a college’s transit experience. For example, Google

Trip Planning features are most likely available to your students through public transit agencies. Is your college

connected in the same way?

3 THINGS TO TELL YOUR BOARD TO EXPLAIN A TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE

9©2015 TripSpark Technologies, its subsidiaries and affiliates. All rights reserved. Any trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

www.tripspark.com

EDUCATION

In Conclusion: Becoming Future ProofThis eBook has examined the top areas that campus

transportation software can dramatically improve

service, safety and the bottom line. Technology,

connectivity and accessibility are going to be major

issues for the future. All systems will become enhanced

over the next decade and the fact is, if you’re not

preparing for it now, the expense involved with

“retrofitting” your system in the future will outweigh the

expense of spending budgetary dollars now.

In five years, say, if you wanted to have in-vehicle

mobile tablets or ruggedized mobile data computers,

your back office software won’t be able to support them.

You (or your students) may demand the functionality

provided by a peripheral device, but you won’t have

the infrastructure already in place to implement a

hardware solution easily. As much as we can say “in

the future,” only you can judge what you want and plan

to implement in the future. This is why we recommend

setting aside research and development resources to

study and determine what will be both required and

desired.

In order for us to help you justify spending resources

on technology, we first need to know what plans your

institution holds important. This is why you need to

examine your current operation and determine what

areas are lacking in efficiency and capacity. Will you

need more paratransit, handicap vehicles? Will you have

more riders than vehicles? Will you need to operate

more trips than your current capacity can handle? Are

you currently receiving many rider complaints?

Bring us your issues and let us help you resolve

them. Armed with the proper evidence, research

and reporting, you will have a better argument when

justifying your request for technology dollars. Spending

any money at all can be a problem for colleges. This is

why each decision needs to be weighed against the

ROI of each proposed funded project. Any project worth

funding should be able to prove how they can help

to increase enrolment and retention rates, improve

student safety and provide world-class experience to

new and existing students. If transportation services

are lacking now, they aren’t going to be of any benefit,

nor return any investment in the future and they should

be looked at now, before the technology gap on your

campus widens any further.