In Tornio, the Koulukyyti app is being launched, which will make it easier to manage school transportation. The app automatically optimizes routes, for example, if a guardian reports a student's absence, eliminating unnecessary trips. The app has already been in use in Kemi, and its expansion to Tornio brings significant benefits, such as improved safety and environmental sustainability.
When a guardian reports a student's absence, the route is automatically optimized on the map. PHOTO: SOILE SUVANTO
The app improves communication between the school administration, transportation operators, and parents, increasing the sense of safety because the different stages of the transport can be tracked precisely. Users can report absences, and the app optimizes the routes in real-time, reducing unnecessary driving.
In Tornio, school transport is more diverse than in Kemi, and the app currently operates in taxi and school bus services, but the goal is to extend it to regular route traffic as well. With the use of the app, transportation safety improves because drivers don’t need to focus on using their phones while driving.
The development of the app is part of the EU's AURORAL project, and its implementation and development will continue. User feedback is encouraged to further improve and adapt the app to the needs of different areas.
The implementation of the application in Tornio is voluntary for parents, and schools will send registration information via Wilma in the coming days. "Of course, we hope that as many as possible will adopt the application," says Project Specialist Jani Mäläskä from Kemin Digipolis oy.
Jani Mäläskä, Project Specialist at Kemin Digipolis oy, presented the Koulukyyti application at the Tornio City Council Hall on November 19th. (Photo: Soile Suvanto)
"Geographically, the students in Tornio who use transportation live in a more dispersed area than in densely populated Kemi. That is perhaps the biggest difference in routing between the two municipalities," Mäläskä explains.
The Koulukyyti (School Transport) application was first launched in Kemi at the beginning of 2023. "Now that the application is being implemented in Tornio as well, the number of users for the scalable Koulukyyti application will more than double," Mäläskä adds.
The most significant benefit observed with the application has been an improved sense of safety. "We have received positive feedback from users and various stakeholders, including schools, parents, and transportation operators. In sparsely populated areas, improving and speeding up communication between transportation companies, parents, and schools enhances the overall perception of safety related to school transportation, as all parties know exactly where children are during their journey," Mäläskä says.
The application provides precise data on user numbers, customer satisfaction, safety perceptions, and other aspects of interest to stakeholders. "This makes it easier to resolve problems, such as if a child is missing. The application records exactly when a child boarded or left the vehicle. Additionally, this data can be used to improve the overall quality of the service and promote data-driven decision-making. Data security is carefully managed. Each municipality or school administration decides how long data is retained, but the most common practice is one school year," Mäläskä explains.
The Koulukyyti application brings ecological benefits to school transportation. Unnecessary trips are avoided, as parents can easily notify if their child, for example, will not be attending school. This information is quickly relayed directly to the driver's device, and the application optimizes the route in real-time.
In Kemi, Heiskanen’s Transport Ltd. has been satisfied with the application since its introduction in 2023. "We, as operators, have been satisfied, and the drivers have also appreciated the application. It makes our daily work easier," Heiskanen says.
Experiences in Kemi with the Koulukyyti application have been just positive. "The application continues to be used by about 90 students in Kemi. At the same time, we are pleased to test its scalability with the expansion to Tornio," says CEO Timo Heiskanen of Heiskanen’s Transport Ltd.
Parents and regional transport operators attended the launch event of the Koulukyyti application. (Photo: Soile Suvanto)
In Tornio, school transportation is more varied compared to Kemi. Students may use route buses, taxis, or school buses for different segments of their journeys. "In Tornio, school transportation arrangements are more complex as students use feeder services via public transport to access school transport," says Markku Jussila from Jussila’s Transport Ltd.
Mäläskä finds the Tornio case interesting and hopes parents will adopt the application widely, even though it does not yet function in public transport. "Currently, the application works for taxi and school bus transport," Mäläskä explains.
Interest in a follow-up project emerged during the launch event, making it essential to gather data on school transportation in Tornio. "This would allow us to develop the application to suit public transport. The technology already exists," Mäläskä adds.
Timo Heiskanen of Heiskanen’s Transport Ltd. emphasizes both the ecological and safety benefits of the application. "Drivers do not need to handle phones while driving, as routes are automatically optimized when parents report absences. Unnecessary messages and calls during driving are eliminated," Heiskanen says.
Katariina Tolonen attended the launch event to learn about the Koulukyyti application. (Photo: Soile Suvanto)
Katariina Tolonen, who attended the launch event at the Tornio City Council Hall, says the Koulukyyti application could benefit her family. She believes they will adopt it. "We live at the end of a loop, and my daughter takes a taxi and a bus to school in the morning and a bus and taxi on the way back," Tolonen explains.
The practical implementation and maintenance of the application are currently managed by Centria University of Applied Sciences. "The application is already scalable, but like any digital product, it requires further development. We hope to continue receiving user feedback about experiences and potential issues. The application has an open feedback section where feedback can be submitted," says Centria RDI Specialist Jyri Mäkelä.
The users of the Koulukyyti application include school assistants, parents, drivers, and transport operators. A sub-account can also be created for children or, for example, grandparents.
A Centria RDI Specialist Jyri Mäkelä demonstrated the features of the Koulukyyti application during the launch event. (Photo: Soile Suvanto)
The development of the Koulukyyti application is part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 AURORAL project, which seeks to find new digital solutions for sparsely populated areas. Koulukyyti application works normally even project ends.
TEXT AND VIDEO: Soile Suvanto / Kemin Digipolis Oy