Overview
Verkehrsverbund Tirol (VVT) is the public transport authority of the Austrian state of Tyrol. VVT is responsible for planning, managing, and financing the state’s public mobility system — from trains and buses to bikes. Its 80-person staff oversees a network of 13 train lines and 350 bus lines across more than 50 million kilometers of service coverage.
To plan sustainable, efficient public transportation, VVT’s planning team set out to replace fragmented tools with one powerful solution for scenario modeling and e-bus planning.
With Optibus, the team has replanned the public transport network of Tyrol and adopted the tools needed to transition to a 100% electric fleet.
Challenge
Before Optibus, VVT’s planning process was spread across multiple disconnected tools, with separate systems for rough sketches, network modeling, operational planning, and analytics. This led to slow, inefficient workflows and underutilized data.
Electrification posed a new challenge. VVT’s existing tools made creating and comparing service scenarios cumbersome. Factoring in charging infrastructure, battery capacities, and costs was nearly impossible.
Solution
With Optibus, VVT implemented a single platform that would centralize data, simplify complex planning, and enable data-driven decisions. Two primary solutions were implemented:
1. Strategic Planning: A holistic view of network performance, featuring tools including:
- Isochrones: Visualizes accessibility data, showing what buses passengers can reach within a set time (e.g., 15 minutes). Planners can identify underserved or hard-to-reach areas and improve coverage.
- Impact Analysis: Uses demographic data to ensure vulnerable populations receive fair service provision.
- Timetable Optimization: Uses algorithms to create bus schedules with fewer vehicles and less budget, while maintaining quality. Shifts start times on a network level for greater efficiency.
- Predictive Runtimes: Predicts on-time performance (OTP) using AI and real-time and historical data, even for new routes. Identifies bottlenecks and generates reliable timetables.
2. EV Management: Analyzes data on batteries, electricity rates, and charging infrastructure to define charging times, locations, and battery levels for optimal EV schedules and reduce maintenance and costs.
These solutions feature cloud-native architecture, which leverages the cloud’s vast computing power to quickly process unlimited data volumes and produce faster, parallel optimizations. Optibus’ software is regularly updated with new innovations, integrates easily with existing systems, and safeguards data with built-in cybersecurity, fault tolerance, and recovery features.
Results
1. Faster, Smarter Scenario Planning and Network Redesign
Tim’s team can quickly test and evaluate various service configurations and present multiple data-driven options to decision-makers with minimal turnaround time. A redesign of two towns – Telfs and Hall – with 30 lines and 50 vehicles was conducted over a twelve month period. Merging all data and processes onto one platform helped to streamline work processes.
2. Capacity for E-Bus Management
What was once nearly impossible is now fully achievable: comprehensive e-bus planning. Using Optibus, VVT brought EV planning in-house from external consultants, significantly reducing costs and accelerating turnaround from weeks to days. VVT’s planners gained tools to test unlimited electrification scenarios and conduct detailed modeling around charging needs, range, and costs. They can also tender lines for electrification and accurately assess bids. The software will support VVT in deploying their first 100% electric fleet in Zillertal and builds internal expertise in fleet electrification.
3. Data-Driven Decision-making
Strong data visualization tools (Isochrones, Impact Analysis) have restructured VVT’s data to enhance insights, collaboration, and decision-making. Backed by the cloud’s computing power, VVT can analyze vast datasets and run complex optimizations, faster. The team is able to quickly assess trade-offs between scenarios, discover efficiencies, and support funding decisions with higher-quality data analysis.
4. A More Reliable Partner
VVT eliminated cumbersome data exports and improved processes for sharing plans and data. This has improved collaboration with private and public sector stakeholders, including regional governments (City Council of Telfs, etc.) and the 35 local operators within VVT’s system.
5. Better Runtimes and Optimizations
Runtime analysis for one region previously required a full day of manual work from two employees. VVT now analyzes data and improves performance in hours, reducing costs and manpower.
6. Smooth Onboarding and Implementation
The adaptability of cloud-native software enabled Optibus to easily fit into VVT’s existing work processes and software environments without disruption.
