CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

Transportation is concerned with the movement of passengers, goods and services, from one place to the other. To effectively carry out their duties, they keep record of transportation information such as booking information, manifest records and vehicle movement records. This information needs of transportation companies, captured on a daily basis, enables the management of the transport companies to effectively monitor operations and helps in the confirmation of relevant details as it pertains to passengers and the movement of transporting vehicles. Many transportation companies have implemented automated transit information systems to aid in proper record and information management. It is therefore important to properly analyze the transit information operations of transport companies such as Akwa Ibom transportation company (AKTC) in order to identify weaknesses and areas for improvement. The overall objective is to provide a more effective system that will help in meeting the information needs of the customers.

Without an effective transit information system in transit companies, it will be difficult to obtain needed reports related to transit details such as manifest reports for different destinations, financial information of amount of tickets sold for different destinations, etc. Transportation companies therefore need to carry out analysis of their operations to enable them build more effective systems that will guarantee the proper management of transit information.

1.1 Statement of Problem

The following problems were identified in the operations of Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC):

1. Passengers cannot book for transportation online.
2. It is difficult to retrieve transit information reports when needed.
3. It operates offline.
4. Long queues at the park

1.2 Aim and Objectives of the study

The aim of the study is to analyze the transit information system of transport company. The following are the objectives of the study:

1. To analyze the existing system in order to develop a more effective system to manage transit information.
2. To create a system that will aid passenger transit booking online.
3. To develop a system that will be able to manage manifest information online.

1.3 Significance of the Study

This study will be significant in the following ways:

1. It will aid the managers of transport companies to properly manage transit information.
2. The system will help in meeting the information needs of owners and financial managers of transit companies.
3. The system will enable passengers to easily book for transit online.
4. The study will serve as a useful reference material to other researchers seeking related information.

1.4 Scope of the Study

This study covers the development of a transit information system for Transport Company, a case study of Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC). It centers on the analysis of the existing system and the development of an improved system for the transport company.

1.5 Organization of the Research

This research work is organized into five chapters. Chapter one is concerned with the introduction of the research study and it presents the introduction, statement of the problem, aim and objectives of the study, significance of the study, scope of the study, organization of the research and definition of terms.

Chapter two focuses on the theoretical background and literature review, the contributions of other scholars on the subject matter is discussed.

Chapter three is concerned with the system analysis and design. It covers the description of the existing system, analysis of the proposed system and design of the Proposed System

Chapter four presents the system implementation and documentation. It covers the choice of programming language, analysis of modules, choice of programming language and system requirements for implementation.

Chapter five focuses on the summary, conclusion and recommendations are provided in this chapter based on the study carried out.

1.6 Definition of Terms

Automation  A system in which a workplace or process has been converted to one that replaces or minimizes human labor with mechanical or electronic equipment

Booking: A reservation for a service such as transportation to a given destination.

Passenger: One who rides or travels in a train, motor vehicle, boat, ship, ferry, etc., who does not operate it and is not a member of the crew.

Transportation  Conveyance of somebody or something: the act or business of carrying somebody or something from one place to another, usually in a vehicle

Freight   Goods or cargo carried by a commercial means of transportation

Management  Administration of business: the organizing and controlling of the affairs of a business or a sector of a business.

System  A combination of related parts working together to achieve a singular objective