University expertise helps transport deliver more effectively

Experts in Management Science and Mathematics at the University of Southampton are teaming up with Logical Transport of Southampton to help advance the next generation of resource scheduling solutions for passenger and freight transport operations.

Management Scientist Dr Julia Bennell and Mathematics Professor Chris Potts are contributing their expertise to the three year project.

After a rigorous evaluation process, the University and the company have signed a Knowledge Transfer Partnership which has attracted £100,000 from the Department of Trade and Industry. The Government programme helps businesses boost their competitiveness through using the knowledge, technology and skills present in higher education

Staff at Logical Transport are leaders in delivering next-generation scheduling and resource management software to passenger and goods transport operators. Their clients include G4S and Bristol City Council, recently cited as operating ‘best practice’ for school and special-needs transport operations

Dr Julia Bennell from the School of Management said: ‘The programmers at LT are experts in writing specialist software and they recognised the potential for using more powerful mathematical algorithms available in the research literature.’

Professor Chris Potts from the School of Mathematics added: ‘This collaboration provides an exciting opportunity for the techniques we have developed to be evaluated and tested on real-life problems.’

Alan Willson, of LT commented: ‘Transport can be very complex, often with scheduled workloads having to alter to accommodate last minute changes. LT Enterprise is already the leading product in this field, but is in a continuous process of development - we are always seeking new ways to improve the product.’

A business associate is now being recruited to work on the project