DPSv2.0

Provide better and Advanced DPS shuttle and trolley tracking features

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  1. What’s your app?

This app will aim to improve the existing DPS functionality of the Orange Safe App- Escort Safety Shuttle with added functionality for students, DPS admin, and drivers. This App will provide the students with the ability to track the status of their ride time, and also get the location of the driver when dispatched. Also, the Admin will be able to group the student’s to the particular driver based on their distances. Realtime DB and Firestore will be storing rides and locations, and a local server will be mapping the student location with their SUID. To support faster handling of requests, the local android database would store previous ride locations and relevant user data to improve the request process. The drivers would have the functionality to accept students as they enter the vehicle and also a Map route to the student’s house using Google Maps Geocode API. The App will also include Video Instructions on How to use the App and DPS info videos for public awareness. The app aims to include background service for sending the live location of drivers and students to real-time DB at regular intervals to get updated information.

  1. Who will use your app?

The intended users of the app will be Syracuse university students, faculty, DPS staff, and Drivers. Each user's role will be separate and based on their login credentials. The students will have a function to book rides and see the ride ETA based on drivers’ location. The DPS admin will be able to group the incoming requests based on location clustering such that minimal time and human interaction is required on accepting new ride requests. The drivers will have the function to sort students based on the locations and pick the shortest route. As well as can live update the control center after completion of a ride.

  1. When and where will your app be used?

This app will be useful for students and faculties who have a long wait time for available DPS vehicles, but who don’t know when the vehicle will get dispatched and will plan accordingly to finish their tasks. It would also optimize the functionality of DPS admins as the hassle to allocate a ride would be removed. The pickup and drive time of drivers would also be downsized for a faster functioning of the system. Due to the high scalability of Firebase and Maps API the system would easily support a large number of requests coming during Game nights or any college events.

  1. How will your app be used?

The android app will be installed on the users devices and based on their login credentials the app functionality for each user will be identified by the app. Once the students login they will have functionalities of requesting a new shuttle ride, view previous rides, and also book a shuttle for a friend. The DPS admins will receive these requests in realtime and also get feedback to allocate the most ideal driver which is nearest as well as closest to completing a previous ride. This would also optimize the ride feedback from DPS to the student as the system is automated. The drivers would be viewing prioritized ride pick up locations based on distance. They would also be able to trigger intent to Google Maps app to view the shortest distance between rides and try to save total ride time by optimized routes.

  1. Competitive analysis

As the current Orange Safe App is packed with overall functionalities of DPS, but the Safety Escort Shuttle system has still room to grow. The long wait times after app’s launch and irregularities in the dispatch time are the most common flaws faced by the system. Inability to track ride’s and unoptimized route times create hassle for students and drivers alike which inevitably hinders the effectiveness of the system. Though the system has few flaws, the approach of tackling the user requests through an app instead of a dedicated phone line has light our way for creating an improved and Escort Shuttle focused app that would resolve these challenges. The realtime databases and google maps integration would improve the functionality of the app substantially and ensure smoother working of the already good system which are integral in keeping our students safe.

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