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software we have doesn’t have some of that stuff. You can create routes, but they’re not necessarily the most efficient routes, and that’s what we rely on RouteWise to help us with.” “If I could run a RouteWise solution and then
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have an API connection to my routing software, that would automatically bring in that solution and display it on my screen, so then the routers could do their work from the routing software,” he contin- ued. “Instead of downloading the solution and then putting it over here, and then the routers take it and parse it out and move it around. It’s not very helpful. And I think it’s really frustrating that we have some technology partners that don’t work well with others. And I think it is a massive detriment to their business because, if they can’t figure out how to play nice, then it makes it very difficult for a district partner to stay engaged.” Dustin Kress, general manager for RouteWise AI, said the software is designed to complement a district’s existing transportation management system. “We aren’t looking to replace their primary software. We’re enhancing it. Most of our partners use the two in tandem. Their existing [transportation management system] handles the daily yellow bus logistics, while RouteWise AI provides the high-level optimization for more complex, high-touch system planning,” he said. Kress added RouteWise could identify savings of 10 to 20 percent on district’s entire transportation operating budgets. Back in Philadelphia, Marcucci said the district
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routes all students and provides vendors the routes. Companies may suggest adjustments, especially after dry runs before the school year begins, but the district makes the final call. “It is collaborative. But in the end, the school dis-
trict is going to have the final decision based on what they believe, from the software and their expertise and everything else,” he said, adding that vendor feedback on traffic patterns and time of day chal- lenges is valuable. Marcucci also instructs data analysts to ride the buses periodically. “We are transporting the most precious asset we have,” he said. “What you see in a computer, regardless of how advanced the tech- nology is, is very different than what you see in real time and real life. It looks like it works on paper, but it really doesn’t.” The real-world experience, he said, prevents trans-
portation teams from dehumanizing the families they serve. Communication is critical when unex- pected issues arise. If there’s a downed tree blocking a road, for example, Marcucci wants in-house dis-
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