Since transportation expenses constitute 7% to 10% of a typical school budget, it is not surprising that transportation departments have been under a microscope lately. Everyone on the district's decision-making team, from the school board and school superintendent to the managers who oversee each component of the transportation department, is…

Describes a computer program, developed for an Ohio school system, that monitors school bus repair and maintenance records. (MD)

Outlines the information necessary for schedule calculation of school bus runs. Describes the use of The Quick Route Optimizer software program for computer calculation of school bus routes. Includes four charts. (MD)

The key to minimizing length of ride and costs for special education students is accurate placement and scheduling, managed under firm policy, and use of modern administrative resources, including computers. This article details procedures for establishing central computer files and programs (especially graphics) to aid transportation functions.…

Microcomputers have many cost- and time-saving uses in school transportation management. Applications include routing and scheduling, demographic analysis, fleet maintenance, and personnel and contract management. Word processing is especially promising for storing and updating documents like specifications. Enrollment forecasting and inventory…

Describes a computer program called "Dispatcher's Assistant" that helps train drivers of special education vehicles, can supply first aid and emergency advice, and tracks individual student records. (MD)

Computerized bus-routing systems plot the most efficient routes, cut the time it takes to draw routes, and generate reports quickly and accurately. However, school districts often underestimate the amount of work necessary to get information into the computer database. (MLF)