Controlling System Costs: Basic and Advanced Scheduling Manuals and Contemporary Issues in Transit Scheduling (2009) / Chapter Skim
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From page 206... ...
Chapter 5. Runcutting ͱ.ͭ Basic Runcutting (Level ͭ)
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From page 207... ...
First and foremost the runcut must be "legal." This is an expression used at many systems and because labor contracts are often involved, indeed there are times when it carries the force of law. "Legal" means that it must meet all the written rules of the labor agreement.
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Straight runs do not contain any breaks (except for meal breaks at some systems) for the operator.
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Trippers are almost always short one-piece straight runs, and are often used in peak periods. Trippers are sometimes known as "part-time runs." In some cases the diff erence between types of runs can become fuzzy -- particularly between a split run and a straight run with an unpaid break, or between a tripper with multiple pieces and a split run.
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premium pay Pay to an operator that is over and above the straight time pay rate; includes overtime premium, spread premium, shift premium, and any other operating premiums as defi ned by the contract.
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Basic Runcutting Output Description Used By Run Guide A summary of runs that describes start/fi nish locations, work hours, and cost element breakdowns Schedulers, garage staff Runs Summary List of runs showing start/ fi nish times, hours worked, and paid hours Payroll systems Dispatch Sheet A list of all runs, sorted by start time Garage staff , to track staff and vehicle movements throughout the day Runcut Statistics Summary of costs, totals, penalties, etc. Schedulers for summaries/ comparisons, Senior Management for costing analysis The Role of Computers You will recall the comment that many runcutting problems are qualitative in nature and are, therefore, too complex for any computer, alone, to optimize completely.
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Use the tools provided by the system to work interactively. Use the tools provided by the system to double check accuracy of a runcut solution.
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pay hours The number of hours for which an operator is paid at his/her rate. Pay hours include work hours, make-up time, overtime premium, spread premium, and any other adjustments called for in the contract.
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The more variation in block sizes, the more likely you will have a complex runcut. Tip Runcut Comparison Straight Runs 40 73% 38 64% Split Runs 12 22% 9 15% Total FT Runs 52 95% 47 80% Part Time Runs 3 5% 12 20% Total Operators Required 55 59 Hours Breakdown Total Avg % Total Avg % Revenue 420.0 7.6 88% 420.0 7.1 88% Report 22.3 0.4 5% 22.7 0.4 5% Travel 33.5 0.6 7% 34.0 0.6 7% Total Work Hours 475.8 8.7 476.7 8.1 Penalties Spread 14.4 10.8 Overtime 17.9 2.3 Guarantee 6.1 2.3 Total Paid Hours 514.3 492.1 Pay/Plat Ratio 1.2244 1.1717 Solution 1 Solution 2 Note that total operators could potentially be shown in terms of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)
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; Defi ned relief types, relief locations, and travel times; and Known limitations -- cost limits, work rule preferences, etc. Most automated scheduling packages have a means for checking that all the required information is available to start runcutting.
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split runs or trippers. Some other things we can immediately note in the graph above include: Many of the blocks are around ͭͰ hours which will probably allow us to cut them into two pieces, each as a single run.
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. In some cases they are expressed as percentages (e.g., no less than ͮͬ% of full-time runs may be straight runs)
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Run Types Allowed Labor contract Typically will discuss straight runs, split runs, and trippers. Nearly all run types are some derivative of these.
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For a computerized system the range of input approaches varies considerably, from screens that specifi cally ask for minimums/maximums, to the requirement to write a line of "almost computer code" to describe a complex preference. Consider the following rule in the labor agreement at an agency: At least one of the following constraints must be met in straight runs over ʹ hours: ͭ x ͮͬ minute break and ͭ x ͭͬ minute break; or ͯ x ͭͱ minute breaks; or Ͳͬ minutes total layover (ͭͱ% of runs minimum)
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? Does the spread penalty apply only to split runs?
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For example, a formula to calculate a spread penalty, where the rate is time-and-a-half for all time worked over ͭͬ hours, is quite simple and is shown below: Type Run Start Piece 1 End Piece 2 Start Run Finish Total Spread Total Work Spread Penalty Overtime Str 6:00 14:30 8:30 8:30 0:00 0:45 9:15 $115.63 Spl 6:05 9:15 14:15 19:00 12:55 7:55 4:22 0:00 12:17 $153.65 Overtime 8:00 Overtime Rate 1.5 Spread Penalty 10:00 Spread Penalty Rate 1.5 Base Hourly Rate $12.50 Total Cost Now already in this simple example we are asking the spreadsheet to calculate diff erent types of penalties based on two diff erent variables (spread and overtime)
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Reliefs can occur at several times of day, including: Start or end of a run Start or end of a meal break Between two pieces of a multipiece run These actions could be best described as "activities," and the point at which they start or end "activity locations." • • • relief The replacement of one operator on a vehicle by another operator on the same vehicle. The fi rst operator may be going on a break or may be ending his/her work day.
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1. Relief Locations Below are some of the key considerations that should be applied when deciding on relief locations: Relief locations should be strategically placed to minimize travel times and maximize relief opportunities.
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Runcutting 5-20 Pull. Pull reliefs also use the bus itself as a means to travel to/from relief locations.
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• • • Unattended Avoids the cost of covering layover time at either side of a relief • Few agencies (justifi ably) are prepared to leave vehicles unattended at relief locations • 3.
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for public transportation is the fact that you cannot simply decide when or where to have staff start work, end work, or take meal breaks. These times are all constrained by the blocks or trip themselves, plus where and how reliefs can be enacted.
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The location and number of relief locations will govern the number of potential relief opportunities. Why is this worth considering?
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In general agencies tend to defi ne relief locations at places where travel time will be minimized, access for buses and/or cars is good, the location is safe, or there are other strategic benefi ts (such as it is near an acceptable bathroom, meal location, or a junction of several routes)
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ͬ:ͭͱ Maximum Spread ͭͯ:ͬͬ Run Type Limits ͱͬ% minimum straight runs ͮͱ% maximum split runs ͮͱ% maximum trippers Guarantee (Daily) ʹ:ͬͬ Overtime (Daily)
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Below are the blocks we produced earlier. For many transit operators, the desired run length will be eight hours minus time allowed for sign in and sign out and travel time.
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These blocks will therefore need to be cut, potentially into two straight runs each. But as these blocks are only between ͭͮ and ͭͯ hours in length we can also expect shorter straight runs, possibly with some guarantee time.
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For example blocks one, four, six, and seven appear suitable for split run or tripper pieces, and blocks two, three, and fi ve appear suitable for straight runs. Creating the Runs The hard work is far from done.
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Basic Runcutting Option 1 - Cut at 12:09 Time Place Type Time Place Type 1 Str 2 5:46 6:01 Garage Pull 12:09 A Street 12:34 6:08 0:30 0:10 6:48 6:48 1:12 0:00 0:00 8:00 1.304 2 Str 2 11:44 12:09 A Street 18:38 Garage Pull 18:53 6:29 0:30 0:10 7:09 7:09 0:51 0:00 0:00 8:00 1.234 12:37 1:00 0:20 13:57 2:03 0:00 0:00 16:00 1.268 Option 2 - Cut at 13:39 Time Place Type Time Place Type 1 Str 2 5:46 6:01 Garage Pull 13:39 A Street 14:04 7:38 0:30 0:10 8:18 8:18 0:00 0:09 0:00 8:27 1.107 2 Str 2 13:14 13:39 A Street 18:38 Garage Pull 18:53 4:59 0:30 0:10 5:39 5:39 2:21 0:00 0:00 8:00 1.605 12:37 1:00 0:20 13:57 2:21 0:09 0:00 16:27 1.304 Type Report Hours Travel Hours Report Hours Travel Hours Type Report Time Sign Off Time Plat Hours Total Hours Total Hours Spread Guarantee Run # Block # Report Time Start End Pay/ Plat Pay/ Plat Start EndBlock # Plat Hours Run # Overtime Spread Penalty Paid Hours Sign Off Time Spread Guarantee Overtime Spread Penalty Paid Hours The answer in both cases is "not good! " Both options result in substantial guarantee time.
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Runcutting 5-30 Option 1 - All Long Blocks Now Cut Time Place Type Time Place Type 1 Str 2 5:46 6:01 Garage Pull 12:09 A Street 12:34 6:08 6:48 6:48 1:12 0:00 0:00 8:00 1.304 2 Str 2 11:44 12:09 A Street 18:38 Garage Pull 18:53 6:29 7:09 7:09 0:51 0:00 0:00 8:00 1.234 3 Str 3 5:35 5:50 Garage Pull 12:39 A Street 13:04 6:49 7:29 7:29 0:31 0:00 0:00 8:00 1.174 4 Str 3 12:14 12:39 A Street 18:19 Garage Pull 18:34 5:40 6:20 6:20 1:40 0:00 0:00 8:00 1.412 5 Str 5 6:05 6:20 Garage Pull 13:09 A Street 13:34 6:49 7:29 7:29 0:31 0:00 0:00 8:00 1.174 6 Str 5 12:44 13:09 A Street 19:53 Garage Pull 20:08 6:44 7:24 7:24 0:36 0:00 0:00 8:00 1.188 38:39 42:39 5:21 0:00 0:00 48:00 1.242 Spread Penalty Paid Hours Pay/ Plat Type Sign Off Time Plat Hours Total Hours Spread Guarantee Overtime Run # Block # Report Time Start End Again we can see that the runs are generally ineffi cient, each resulting in guarantee time. At about this stage we may want to go back, rethink the schedules, and note that it would be possible to extend the hours of operation, by one round trip for each vehicle, with minimal cost impact.
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From page 235... ...
Revisit the schedules and blocks, potentially reducing the spread of some of the blocks to allow the split runs to fall within the ͭͯ-hour spread limit. Or at least adjust one of them this way and leave the other two peak blocks as shorter part-time pieces.
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From page 236... ...
Option ͭ - Completed Runcut Time Place Type Time Place Type 1 Str 2 5:46 6:01 Garage Pull 12:09 A Street 12:34 6:08 0:30 0:10 6:48 6:48 1:12 0:00 0:00 2 Str 2 11:44 12:09 A Street 18:38 Garage Pull 18:53 6:29 0:30 0:10 7:09 7:09 0:51 0:00 0:00 3 Str 3 5:35 5:50 Garage Pull 12:39 A Street 13:04 6:49 0:30 0:10 7:29 7:29 0:31 0:00 0:00 4 Str 3 12:14 12:39 A Street 18:19 Garage Pull 18:34 5:40 0:30 0:10 6:20 6:20 1:40 0:00 0:00 5 Str 5 6:05 6:20 Garage Pull 13:09 A Street 13:34 6:49 0:30 0:10 7:29 7:29 0:31 0:00 0:00 6 Str 5 12:44 13:09 A Street 19:53 Garage Pull 20:08 6:44 0:30 0:10 7:24 7:24 0:36 0:00 0:00 1 5:31 5:46 Garage Pull 9:19 Garage Pull 9:24 6 14:46 15:01 Garage Pull 19:49 Garage Pull 20:04 8 Pt 4 5:50 6:05 Garage Pull 9:38 Garage Pull 9:53 3:33 0:30 0:00 4:03 4:03 0:00 0:00 0:00 9 Pt 7 15:05 15:20 Garage Pull 19:19 Garage Pull 19:34 3:59 0:30 0:00 4:29 4:29 0:00 0:00 0:00 54:32 4:50 1:00 60:21 5:21 0:35 2:09 0:50 0:00 2:09 Spread Penalty 7 Spl 8:21 9:11 14:18 0:00 0:35 Sign Off Time Plat Hours Total Hours Spread Guarantee Overtime Report Hours Travel Hours Run # Type Block # Report Time Start End Note that in the above spreadsheet there are as many formulas as possible, holding true to our previously stated aim of avoiding typing numbers that can be calculated in every possible circumstance, no matter how complex the formula. run guide A summary of runs that describes start/fi nish locations, work hours, and cost element breakdowns.
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The table below summarizes the total cost of the runcut. Runcut Summary Straight Runs 6 67% Split Runs 1 11% Total FT Runs 7 78% Part Time Runs 2 22% Total Operators Required 9 Hours Breakdown Total % Avg Platform 54.5 90% 6.1 Report 4.8 8% 0.5 Travel 1.0 2% 0.1 Total Work Hours 60.4 6.7 Penalties % Avg Spread 2.2 3% 0.2 Overtime 0.6 1% 0.1 Guarantee 5.4 8% 0.6 Total Paid Hours 68.5 Pay/Plat Ratio 1.2553 Solution 1
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The rules stated that all travels to relief locations must use a car. Generally this will mean that an agency has a car or fl eet of cars that operators use to get to and from relief locations.
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In this example we may • • • paddle An output of the scheduling process that provides the operator with information regarding his or her workday -- what time the work day starts/ends, how to get to/from relief locations, the trips to be operated, and times at all timepoints. If an operator drives on more than one route in the day, the paddle will have all trips shown sequentially, as well as travel paths between routes if needed.
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From page 240... ...
Even in the absence of rules limiting spread time, it is a good idea to ensure that an operator's day is not too long. The scheduler's biggest concern regarding fatigue is to make sure that rostered operators get at least eight hours off between work shifts, whether or not this is spelled out in the labor agreement.
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Basic Runcutting LEVEL 1 End of Basic Runcutting. The Intermediate Section of Runcutting continues on the next page.
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And of course the blocks, relief locations, travel times etc. will always be diff erent.
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From page 243... ...
Runs Summary. The runs summary, produced at the end of the basic runcutting section, provides an overview of the totals of the runcut, including a breakdown of the components of runs (platform time, travel time, etc.)
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From page 244... ...
The trick is to now generate pieces of work that will allow us to create two split runs with the above start and fi nish times. In essence we are trying to achieve what is shown in the following
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From page 245... ...
Again this is presented diagrammatically in the following fi gure. We have added two more multipiece straight runs, the white and black runs.
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From page 246... ...
Runcutting 5-42 Block 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 This leaves us with three more straight runs to create -- the AM pieces of Blocks ͮ and ͯ, and the PM piece of Block ͱ. When created our completed diagram looks like the following.
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From page 247... ...
Importantly we have now eliminated the split run of greater than ͭͯ hours -- we had initially allowed this to illustrate the spread issues resulting from initial vehicle blocks. In reality this run, as shown in the initial solution, invalidated the entire run cut.
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From page 248... ...
Runcutting 5-44 Completed Runcut - Pieces ReCut Time Place Type Time Place Type 1 5:31 5:46 Garage Pull 9:19 Garage Pull 5 10:09 A Street 13:09 A Street 13:34 2 Str 3 5:35 5:50 Garage Pull 12:39 A Street 13:04 6:49 0:30 0:10 7:29 7:29 0:31 0:00 0:00 8:00 1.174 3 Str 2 5:46 6:01 Garage Pull 12:09 A Street 12:34 6:08 0:30 0:10 6:48 6:48 1:12 0:00 0:00 8:00 1.304 4 5:50 6:05 Garage Pull 9:38 Garage Pull 9:43 3 13:44 14:09 A Street 18:19 Garage Pull 18:34 5 6:05 6:20 Garage Pull 10:09 A Street 10:24 2 14:44 15:09 A Street 18:38 Garage Pull 18:53 2 11:44 12:09 A Street 15:09 A Street 7 15:20 Garage Pull 19:19 Garage Pull 19:34 3 12:14 12:39 A Street 14:09 A Street 6 15:01 Garage Pull 19:49 Garage Pull 20:04 8 Str 5 12:44 13:09 A Street 19:53 Garage Pull 20:08 6:44 0:30 0:10 7:24 7:24 0:36 0:00 0:00 8:00 1.188 54:32 4:40 1:23 2:00 62:35 2:39 0:37 2:46 68:37 1.258 7:18 10:06 0:10 8:43 0:30 0:42 0:01 0:00 8:04 1.233 0:14 1:24 1:22 10:26 1 Str-M 6:33 0:30 Overtime 0:00 End Sign Off Time Plat Hours 0:00 Paid Hours Pay/ Plat 1.384 Spread Penalty Run # Type Block # Report Time Start 0:20 Spread Guarantee 0:20 8:03 8:03 Report Hours 7:43 0:50 12:44 Paid Break 0:40 Travel Hours Total Hours 8:007:50 7:50 4 7 Str-M 6:18 5 Spl 0:20 7:50 0:20 1.353Spl 0:00 0:21 8:28 12:480:50 0:10 0:00 0:006 Str-M 6:59 0:30 0:01 7:50 0:10 1.146 8:00 1.2700:00 0:00 The result of this revised runcut is basically no change in total paid hours (Ͳʹ:ͯͳ as opposed to Ͳʹ:ͮͳ in the previous cut)
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From page 249... ...
So let's take the starting point of where we left off with our basic runcut -- unable to create the split runs due to spread issues. The blocks are set out below.
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Level ͮ. Intermediate RuncuttingChapter 5.
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From page 251... ...
that can form a split run within the spread requirements. Block 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 17 18 19 20 2111 12 13 14 15 165 6 7 8 9 10
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The fi gures below provide the outputs of the process with a new runcut solution. The solution is provided including the fi nalized headway sheet (with revised block numbers and pull ins/pill outs)
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From page 253... ...
Intermediate Runcutting Revised blocks for RunCut ROUTE 97 Broad Street DAY Weekday Block # Pull Out A B C D D C B A Next Trip Pull In 1 5:46 6:06 6:17 6:31 6:39 6:45 3 6:01 6:21 6:32 6:46 6:54 7:00 2 5:50 6:00 6:08 6:22 6:33 6:36 6:47 7:01 7:09 7:15 4 6:05 6:15 6:23 6:37 6:48 6:51 7:02 7:16 7:24 7:30 5 6:20 6:30 6:38 6:52 7:03 7:06 7:17 7:31 7:39 7:45 1 6:45 6:53 7:07 7:18 7:21 7:32 7:46 7:54 8:00 3 7:00 7:08 7:22 7:33 7:36 7:47 8:01 8:09 8:15 2 7:15 7:23 7:37 7:48 7:51 8:02 8:16 8:24 8:30 4 7:30 7:38 7:52 8:03 8:06 8:17 8:31 8:39 8:45 5 7:45 7:53 8:07 8:18 8:21 8:32 8:46 8:54 9:00 1 8:00 8:08 8:22 8:33 8:36 8:47 9:01 9:09 10:30 3 8:15 8:23 8:37 8:48 8:51 9:02 9:16 9:24 9:30 2 8:30 8:38 8:52 9:03 9:06 9:17 9:31 9:39 10:00 4 8:45 8:53 9:07 9:18 9:36 9:47 10:01 10:09 10:19 5 9:00 9:08 9:22 9:33 9:53 3 9:30 9:38 9:52 10:03 10:06 10:17 10:31 10:39 11:00 2 10:00 10:08 10:22 10:33 10:36 10:47 11:01 11:09 11:30 1 10:30 10:38 10:52 11:03 11:06 11:17 11:31 11:39 12:00 3 11:00 11:08 11:22 11:33 11:36 11:47 12:01 12:09 12:30 2 11:30 11:38 11:52 12:03 12:06 12:17 12:31 12:39 13:00 1 12:00 12:08 12:22 12:33 12:36 12:47 13:01 13:09 13:30 3 12:30 12:38 12:52 13:03 13:06 13:17 13:31 13:39 14:00 2 13:00 13:08 13:22 13:33 13:36 13:47 14:01 14:09 14:30 1 13:30 13:38 13:52 14:03 14:06 14:17 14:31 14:39 15:00 3 14:00 14:08 14:22 14:33 14:36 14:47 15:01 15:09 15:30 6 14:46 15:06 15:17 15:31 15:39 15:45 2 14:30 14:38 14:52 15:03 15:21 15:32 15:46 15:54 16:00 1 15:00 15:08 15:22 15:33 15:36 15:47 16:01 16:09 16:15 7 15:05 15:15 15:23 15:37 15:48 15:51 16:02 16:16 16:24 16:30 3 15:30 15:38 15:52 16:03 16:06 16:17 16:31 16:39 16:45 6 15:45 15:53 16:07 16:18 16:21 16:32 16:46 16:54 17:00 2 16:00 16:08 16:22 16:33 16:36 16:47 17:01 17:09 17:15 1 16:15 16:23 16:37 16:48 16:51 17:02 17:16 17:24 17:30 7 16:30 16:38 16:52 17:03 17:06 17:17 17:31 17:39 17:45 3 16:45 16:53 17:07 17:18 17:21 17:32 17:46 17:54 18:00 6 17:00 17:08 17:22 17:33 17:36 17:47 18:01 18:09 18:19 2 17:15 17:23 17:37 17:48 17:51 18:02 18:16 18:24 18:30 1 17:30 17:38 17:52 18:03 18:06 18:17 18:31 18:39 19:00 7 17:45 17:53 18:07 18:18 18:38 3 18:00 18:08 18:22 18:33 18:36 18:47 19:01 19:09 19:19 2 18:30 18:38 18:52 19:03 19:06 19:17 19:31 19:39 19:49 1 19:00 19:08 19:22 19:33 19:53 Eastbound Westbound
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From page 254... ...
Runcutting 5-50 Block 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 17 18 19 20 211 12 13 14 15 165 6 7 8 9 10 Completed Runcut - Blocks Re-Hooked Time Place Type Time Place Type 101 Str 1 5:31 5:46 Garage Pull 13:09 A Street 13:34 7:23 0:30 0:10 8:03 8:03 0:00 0:01:30 0:00:00 8:04:30 1.094 102 Str 1 12:44 13:09 A Street 19:53 Garage Pull 20:08 6:44 0:30 0:10 7:24 7:24 0:36 0:00:00 0:00:00 8:00:00 1.188 103 Str 2 5:35 5:50 Garage Pull 12:39 A Street 13:04 6:49 0:30 0:10 7:29 7:29 0:31 0:00:00 0:00:00 8:00:00 1.174 104 Str 2 12:14 12:39 A Street 19:49 Garage Pull 20:04 7:10 0:30 0:10 7:50 7:50 0:10 0:00:00 0:00:00 8:00:00 1.116 105 Str 3 5:46 6:01 Garage Pull 12:09 A Street 12:34 6:08 0:30 0:10 6:48 6:48 1:12 0:00:00 0:00:00 8:00:00 1.304 106 Str 3 11:44 12:09 A Street 19:19 Garage Pull 19:34 7:10 0:30 0:10 7:50 7:50 0:10 0:00:00 0:00:00 8:00:00 1.116 4 5:50 6:05 Garage Pull 10:19 Garage Pull 10:24 6 14:31 14:46 Garage Pull 18:19 Garage Pull 18:34 5 6:05 6:20 Garage Pull 9:53 Garage Pull 9:58 7 14:50 15:05 Garage Pull 18:38 Garage Pull 18:53 56:17 4:40 0:00 1:00 61:57 2:43 0:20 2:46 67:46 1.204 Start End Spread Penalty Paid Hours Run # Type Block # Report Time Spread Make-up Pay/ Plat Sign Off Time Plat Hours Report Hours Paid Break Travel Hours Total Work Hours Overtime 0:18:30107 Spl 7:47 0:50 0:00 8:37 12:44 0:00 1:22:00 10:17:30 1.322 108 Spl 7:06 0:50 0:00 1.3241:24:00 9:24:007:56 12:48 0:04 0:00:00 In terms of effi ciencies this solution is the lowest cost of the three developed thus far -- a total of Ͳͳ:ͰͲ paid time compared to Ͳʹ:ͮͳ and Ͳʹ:ͯͳ for the previous two solutions. It retains the six straight runs and four split runs of the previous solution, ensuring manpower requirements are minimized.
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From page 255... ...
It then pulls back into the garage. In this example the block has only ͭͱ minutes of revenue time but Ͱͱ minutes of platform time -- one short school trip with a garage pull either side.
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From page 256... ...
Matching pieces. How we match pieces (in our examples, of split runs)
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From page 257... ...
Chapter 5. Runcutting 5-53 Level ͮ.
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From page 258... ...
For example there were only two shorter peak blocks in each peak, and those blocks did not allow us to form runs within the ͭͯ-hour spread limitation. In another situation, with Ͱͬ or ͱͬ vehicles we might have had a range of shorter blocks to choose appropriate starts and fi nishes to match pieces into legal split runs.
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From page 259... ...
Can the block be adjusted to change garages? What are the travel times between the relief locations and each garage?
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From page 260... ...
Runcutting 5-56 Take the work rules relating to meal breaks for one transit system: At least one of the following constraints must be met in straight runs over ʹ hours: ͭ x ͮͬ minute break and ͭ x ͭͬ minute break; or ͯ x ͭͱ minute breaks; or Ͳͬ minutes total layover (ͭͱ% of runs maximum) The agreement states that not only must one of these be scheduled in each run, but also that ʹͬ% must be achieved in actual operation.
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From page 261... ...
If we matched the late starts on Line ͵ʹ with the late fi nishes on Line ͵ͳ, and the early starts on Line ͵ͳ with the early fi nishes on Line ͵ʹ, we get four legal split runs with a reduction in total spread premium. The following diagram represents the newly created multiroute split runs.
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From page 262... ...
Let's now go back to a statement made in a preceding section -- that the runs are, in eff ect, a group of trips that form an operator's work day. Often schedulers limit the ability to produce eff ective runcuts by assuming the blocks are fi xed, or by limiting changes Note here that to some extent we are playing with fi re.
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From page 263... ...
However as we have discussed and seen in our examples, the limitations of relief opportunities make it diffi cult to cut straight runs, and/or match pieces into split runs, in an optimized manner. We can go back and reconsider our defi nition of "optimized" here.
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From page 264... ...
Again, be careful not to overlook some considerations taken into account by the scheduler when blocking such as: Congestion/capacity at terminals; Vehicle type limitations; Reliability on certain routes; Interlining limitations; and Maintaining adequate recovery time. Runcutting for Meals So far, our examples have included only three types of run -- straight runs, split runs, and parttime runs.
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From page 265... ...
Depending upon the combination of rule requirements, the scheduling of meal breaks can make the runcutting task signifi cantly more complex. If a piece of work can only be fi ve hours long, for example, it means that all straight runs must have at least two pieces.
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From page 266... ...
As we will discuss later, these are two key factors in the cost impacts of meal breaks. In this example we have taken a less restrictive view of one factor (paid meals)
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From page 267... ...
A process of cutting and matching is then undertaken to create and match pieces to form legal and effi cient runs. Again we turn to a graphical representation of the runs to provide an overAs a starting point, look to the blocks with the earliest starts as opportunities for straight runs, and blocks with later starts and early fi nishes as possibilities for split runs.
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From page 268... ...
Note the total paid time has increased from Ͳͳ:ͰͲ in our previous solution to Ͳ͵:ͬͲ. However this is probably a good outcome given the additional travel time required to have all straight runs return to the depot for meals (in eff ect adding an additional ͭ:ͮͬ of time into the runs)
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From page 269... ...
Advanced Runcutting Meal Breaks - Completed Run Cut Time Place Type Time Place Type 1 Pt 1 5:31 5:46 Garage Pull 9:19 Garage Pull 9:34 4:03 3:33 0:30 0:00 4:03 4:03 0:00 0:00 0:00 4:03 1.141 3 5:35 5:50 Garage Pull 9:39 A Street 9:49 4:14 2 10:29 10:39 A Street 12:09 A Street 12:34 2:05 2 5:46 6:01 Garage Pull 10:39 A Street 10:49 5:03 2 11:59 12:09 A Street 15:09 A Street 15:34 3:35 4 5:50 6:05 Garage Pull 9:38 Garage Pull 9:43 3:53 3 13:44 14:09 A Street 18:19 Garage Pull 18:34 4:50 5 6:05 6:20 Garage Pull 11:39 A Street 11:54 5:49 2 14:44 15:09 A Street 18:38 Garage Pull 18:53 4:09 3 9:14 9:39 A Street 14:09 A Street 14:19 5:05 6 15:01 15:01 Garage Pull 19:49 Garage Pull 20:04 5:03 5 11:14 11:39 A Street 14:39 A Street 14:49 3:35 7 15:20 15:20 Garage Pull 19:19 Garage Pull 19:34 4:14 8 Pt 5 14:14 14:39 A Street 19:53 Garage Pull 20:08 5:54 5:14 0:30 0:10 5:54 5:54 0:00 0:00 0:00 5:54 1.127 54:32 4:40 2:20 0:10 61:42 1:41 2:48 2:46 68:57 1.265 11:12 1.204 Piece Hours Paid Hours Pay/ Plat 6 Str-p 9:18 0:30 12:21 1.403 1:04 0:00 5 Spl 8:48 0:50 0:20 9:58 12:48 0:00 1.119 0:00 0:59 1:24 8:43 12:44 10:26 1.353 7:490:00 4:01 2:50 0:42 0:31 0:20 10:08 10:50 0:00 0:40 6:59 0:00 8:00 1.505 6:59 0:30 0:20 7:49 8:20 1:41 0:00 0:00 0:24 6:190:00 8:480:10 0:00 9:12 1.205 2 Str-a 5:19 0:30 0:30 1:10 9:48 4 Spl 0:10 7:38 0:30 0:303 Str-a Overtime Spread Penalty Paid Break Break Length Travel Hours Total Hours Spread Report Hours Run # Type Block # Piece Start Start End Piece End Plat Hours Guarantee 1:22 0:00 0:00 0:007 Str-p 0:00 0:217:43 0:50 Is this a "good" runcut? The results can be compared to our most recent solution.
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From page 270... ...
Runcutting 5-66 The major structural change is that two full-time straight runs are replaced by two part-time runs. The total runs remain unchanged, and the total worked and paid hours are only marginally diff erent.
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From page 271... ...
Meal Break Runcut Issues The runcuts above indicate that meal breaks can be achieved for our revised Line ͵ͳ runcut with only a minor change in paid hours. Again, this was based on relatively liberal rules around the meal break requirements.
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From page 272... ...
The implementation of meal breaks can therefore allow an opportunity to reduce those longer layovers that exist as a surrogate for meals and reduce overall operating costs. Pull reliefs can be used in either type of runcutting approach to meal breaks.
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From page 273... ...
Where relief locations are frequent and existing one-piece runs can be cut at around eight hours, the matching of shorter/longer pieces will have less benefi t. Layover Requirements Where existing layovers act as pseudo-meal breaks (where no offi cial meal break exists)
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From page 274... ...
Car Pooling There are cases when a car can be used to ferry more than one operator between the garage and a relief location, or even between two relief locations. This is known as car pooling.
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From page 275... ...
Typically the costs will be higher as agencies have to make a conservative estimate of the travel time required to avoid missed connections or reliefs. It also risks missed reliefs if the allowance is not high enough at times when running times are highest.
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From page 276... ...
The diagram below depicts the calculation of travels using service trips. The assumptions are: Report/sign off times: ͭͱ minutes Walking time to stop outside garage: ͯ minutes Scheduled trip run time of ͭͬ minutes to Point A (relief location)
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From page 277... ...
If a block is cut into two straight runs, one ͳ:Ͱͱ and the other ʹ:ͭͱ, it may be possible to move the relief ͭͱ minutes (assuming at least a ͭͱ-minute layover) and save ͮͮ minutes of paid time.
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From page 278... ...
This means that the ͭͮ:ͬ͵ relief becomes a pull relief and the runs look like the following: Original - Sreet (Car) Relief Time Place Type Time Place Type 1 Str 2 5:46 6:01 Garage Pul l 12:09 A Street 12:34 6:08 0:30 0:10 6:48 2 Str 2 11:44 12:09 A Street 18:38 Garage Pul l 18:53 6:29 0:30 0:10 7:09 With Pull Relief Time Place Type Time Place Type 1 Str 2 5:46 6:01 Garage Pul l 12:19 Garage Pul l 12:34 6:18 0:30 0:10 6:48 2 Str 2 12:05 12:20 Garage Pul l 18:38 Garage Pul l 18:53 6:18 0:30 0:10 6:48 Total Hours Run # Type Block # Report Time Start End Sign Off Time Plat Hours Report Hours Travel Hours Plat Hours Report Hours Travel Hours Total Hours Run # Type Block # Report Time Start End Sign Off Time As the example shows, by using a pull relief we create a later start time for Run ͮ.
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From page 279... ...
Since pull-out trips are easier to manage than time delays associated with in-service trips, the outcome should be improved service reliability, something all runcut solutions must look to achieve. There are of course circumstances where use of pull reliefs does not provide savings but instead incurs increased paid hours and increased mileage -- relief locations farther from the garage or with minimal scheduled layover for example.
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From page 280... ...
Car pooling is an example where there are clear effi ciencies to be gained. However, as soon as the schedule relies on a second operator's trip arriving at the relief location to allow the fi rst operator to travel to the garage on time, the likelihood of service problems increases.
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From page 281... ...
Creating Base Solutions to Fit Known Events In order to accommodate known events, depending on the frequency of the event, it may be wise to create a runcut solution (and blocking solution for that matter) that will allow the revised or extra services to be readily incorporated.
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From page 282... ...
of a run. If this is the second part of a split run with a suffi ciently long AM piece, this run would operate during both school and vacation periods, as well as during exception days.
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From page 283... ...
In the example provided we have two blocks of ͭͳ and ͭ͵ hours duration. Assuming we have one-piece straights creating the runs is simply a case of cutting them somewhere in the middle, to create two straight runs per block.
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From page 284... ...
The alternative approach, cutting the blocks through pull reliefs into independent runs, is more operationally expedient and keeps the scheduling more streamlined. However there is a cost associated with the additional mileage resulting from the extra pull trips.
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From page 285... ...
Simply stated, it is the rare route where one-way running time, plus recovery/layover is exactly Ͳͬ minutes. And then, of course, there are pull-out and pull-in time to consider.
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From page 286... ...
But other contract limitations/collaterals (maximum spread) -- and the humaneness and safety implications -- dictate not going overboard.
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From page 287... ...
The fi rst situation allows part-time runs to be substituted for split runs, thereby resulting in reduced spread premiums and potentially avoiding guarantee or overtime costs. The second case allows smaller pieces to be created that allow the overall runcut solution to be optimized.
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From page 288... ...
Runcutting 5-84 If we simply take those four pieces of work assigned to split runs and convert them to part-time runs the cost impacts can be easily reviewed, and are provided below. Split Part Time Total Runs 2 4 Platform Hours 15:01 15:01 Travel Hours 0:30 0:30 Spread Premium 2:46 Overtime 0:35 Guarantee 0:00 Total Paid Hours 18:52 15:31
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From page 289... ...
The complexity of work rules around all run types can result in pieces of work that are diffi cult to assign to full-time runs. For example, in the meal breaks section we created a runcut that required two smaller pieces of work, which were then assigned as part-time runs.
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From page 290... ...
8-Hour 10-Hour Total Runs 13.3 10.5 Platform Hours 100.0 100.0 Report Hours 6.7 5.3 Travel Hours 2.2 1.8 Total Paid Hours 122.2 117.5 -4.7 -3.8%
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From page 291... ...
However some general types of rules exist and may specify: The minimum and/or maximum number of ͭͬ-hour runs allowed, usually expressed as a percentage of total runs Overtime and guarantee will tend to apply at the ͭͬ-hour mark and not the usual ʹhour mark Spread penalties will apply, but probably only to split runs Other rules will be applied to ͭͬ-hour runs as they are to eight-hour runs Workforce Factors While the example above would suggest that ͭͬ-hour runs are a tool for saving money, the reality is not that clear. The assumption with ͭͬ-hour runs is that they are tied to four-day workweeks.
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From page 292... ...
For example if all blocks are only ͭͰ-hours long, cutting ͭͬ-hour pieces limits the number of straight runs that can be created (as in the above example)
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From page 293... ...
due to spread constraints, meaning that ͭͬ-hour splits will tend to creep into the off -peak periods between ͵ AM and ͭͭ AM and ͭ PM and ͯ PM. This becomes less feasible if the off -peak service levels are low and can also reduce the number of straight runs.
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From page 294... ...
Runcutting 5-90 three discussions was presented in isolation, the tradeoff s between overtime, part-time operators, and ͭͬ-hour runs are made interactively by schedulers when creating runcuts. Workforce utilization from a scheduler's perspective relates to how the runs and rosters are built to apply the available labor resources most effi ciently, within the constraints provided by contracts and work rules.
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From page 295... ...
Having meal breaks in runs, however handled, makes the runcut and the operation more complex. Meals can be created in a manner that reduces this complexity.
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From page 296... ...
Once you are satisfi ed with the costing levels (number of runs, paid hours, etc.) look to improve the quality of the runcut.
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From page 297... ...
Chapter 5. Runcutting 5-93 Level ͯ.
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From page 298... ...
Level ͯ. Advanced RuncuttingChapter 5.
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Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.