At GMV, we’re proud to partner with other technology leaders to provide the best solutions for our customers. In this post, our friend Dr. Michael St. Denis shares how TransitCheck’s vehicle inspection software can be customized to help our customers promote rider and operator health during the coronavirus pandemic.

The typical transit rider probably doesn’t think about a vehicle’s tire pressure, brake lights, or even brakes when they hop on the bus. For many of us, we just assume the vehicle is safe, and this is almost always the case; data show inspections make vehicles safer, and thanks in part to frequent transit vehicle inspections, far fewer people are injured or killed while traveling on transit than while traveling by car.

In our “New Normal” operating environment, riders still may not be thinking about the vehicle, but both riders and operators are definitely thinking about their health on the bus. Thorough vehicle cleaning and disinfection is now at least as important as proper tire pressure and functioning brakes and brake lights.

We’ve seen disinfection efforts ramp up at agencies across the country in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Transit providers are using enhanced techniques – like electrostatic disinfectant sprayers – to protect the health of their riders and operators. As new cleaning techniques and protocols are introduced, agencies need an effective system to guide staff on the procedures, track these activities, and guarantee that they have been properly performed.

We’re proud to partner with GMV and offer TransitCheck, our pre- and post-trip inspection application, on the same portable tablet that operators use to access GMV’s tools. Unlike inspections using paper forms, inspections in TransitCheck are collected digitally and results are instantly transferred to a web portal for management review, while maintenance technicians are alerted of issues that need their attention.

Inspection forms are easily customizable, too, so you can add items or services to check as appropriate. The City of Commerce, CA has added vehicle disinfection as a pre-trip requirement to their TransitCheck forms. Their vehicles are not permitted to be driven unless they’ve gone through a thorough cleaning process.

In addition to vehicle safety and cleanliness, agencies also need to consider the health of their operators before they begin service. TransitCheck supports custom health screening forms, so managers can be alerted when operators exhibit coronavirus symptoms and take action accordingly. 

Frequent vehicle inspections have always been important for the safety of transit passengers and operators, and during our current public health crisis they can also ensure healthier, cleaner environments for operators and riders. Working in tandem with GMV technology, TransitCheck can streamline your agency’s pre- and post-trip inspections to promote safe and healthy trips.

If you’re interested in learning more about TransitCheck, contact the GMV ITS team for more information and to schedule a demo.