Computer-Aided School Bus Routing for Rural Districts

Abstract

A computer-based system for routing school buses in rural areas has been developed at North Dakota State University. The system utilizes a hybrid approach, with Gillett-Miller and Clark-Wright concepts for route creation and route improvement playing a major role. Human interaction is an important part of the system, with computer graphics and plots of alternative routing systems extensively used in developing routing patterns and adapting them to the existing road network. The system has been successfully used in designing routes for twelve school districts in North Dakota and neighboring states.

Keywords::

• bus routing
• administrative computing

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kendall E. Nygard

Dr. Kendall E. Nygard is assistant professor of Computer Science at North Dakota State University. An applied operations researcher, Dr. Nygard earned a Masters degree in mathematics at Mankato State University and a Ph.D. in operations research at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Mr. Dale E. Summers is Technical Services Assistant for the North Dakota State University Computer Center. Mr. Summers holds a Masters degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois and a Masters degree in computer science from North Dakota State University. Mr. Rudolph E. Wagner is a transportation engineer with the Engineering Experiment Station at North Dakota State University. Mr. Wagner received a Bachelor of aeronautical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Masters degree in civil engineering at North Dakota State University.

Dale E. Summers

Dr. Kendall E. Nygard is assistant professor of Computer Science at North Dakota State University. An applied operations researcher, Dr. Nygard earned a Masters degree in mathematics at Mankato State University and a Ph.D. in operations research at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Mr. Dale E. Summers is Technical Services Assistant for the North Dakota State University Computer Center. Mr. Summers holds a Masters degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois and a Masters degree in computer science from North Dakota State University. Mr. Rudolph E. Wagner is a transportation engineer with the Engineering Experiment Station at North Dakota State University. Mr. Wagner received a Bachelor of aeronautical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Masters degree in civil engineering at North Dakota State University.

Rudolph E. Wagner

Dr. Kendall E. Nygard is assistant professor of Computer Science at North Dakota State University. An applied operations researcher, Dr. Nygard earned a Masters degree in mathematics at Mankato State University and a Ph.D. in operations research at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Mr. Dale E. Summers is Technical Services Assistant for the North Dakota State University Computer Center. Mr. Summers holds a Masters degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois and a Masters degree in computer science from North Dakota State University. Mr. Rudolph E. Wagner is a transportation engineer with the Engineering Experiment Station at North Dakota State University. Mr. Wagner received a Bachelor of aeronautical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Masters degree in civil engineering at North Dakota State University.