Accessing the Scheduler

The Scheduler can be accessed via the left-hand menu in RideSchedule. It is a versatile tool designed to streamline ride assignments for dispatchers by offering an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.

Features of the Scheduler

Understanding the Grid

The Scheduler grid is divided into the following sections:

• Left-hand side:

  • A list of vehicles and their assigned drivers.
  • Partners you work with (coming soon).
  • A ‘temporary’ row for holding rides temporarily (coming soon).

• Top of the grid:

  • Days of the week, divided into hourly segments.
  • The start date (the date from which you want to schedule rides).
  • Your time zone.

Assigning Rides to Vehicles

The Scheduler makes it easy to assign rides to vehicles or partners:

1. Select the Ride:

   • Choose a ride from the ‘unscheduled rides’ list on the left-hand side.

2. Assign the Ride:

   • Drag the ride onto the row of the vehicles or partner you want to assign it to.

3. Reassign Rides:

   • Drag the ride up or down the grid to reassign it to another vehicles, partner, or the ‘temporary’ row.

4. Edit Ride Details:

   • Right-click on a ride to:
     • Edit the pick-up time or expected drop-off time in 5-minute increments.
     • Unassign the ride (it will move back to the ‘unscheduled rides’ list).
     • Add a ‘Going Home’ ride for the vehicle to calculate the time required to return to base.

5. Automatic Travel Time Calculation:

   • The Scheduler algorithm calculates the time required for the vehicle to travel from their previous drop-off to the next pick-up. This travel time appears as a light blue bar before the ride.

Handling Conflicts and Gaps

• If you assign a ride to a vehicle who already has a job at the same time, the ride will be highlighted in red. However, this won’t prevent the plan from being published.
• Admin users can set the ‘Default Gap Between Rides’ in RideHQ. This gap, shown as a coffee cup icon, ensures enough time is allotted between rides.

Publishing the Schedule

Once you’ve finalised your assignments:

1. Click 'Assign Drivers' to assign drivers to vehicles that are not already paired. 
2. Click ‘Publish’ to save and share the schedule with drivers.
   
3. Each driver will find their assigned rides in their Driver App, complete with calculated durations and travel times.
   

Additional Notes

• The duration of each ride is calculated using historical data from thousands of similar rides, ensuring accuracy.
• The Scheduler is a highly adaptable tool, allowing dispatchers to optimise assignments, minimise gaps, and manage shared resources effectively.

By leveraging these features, RideSchedule simplifies the ride scheduling process, saving time and reducing operational errors.