DATA LINK INSTITUTE
SCHOOL OF COMPUTER SCIENCES
A PROJECT WORK SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULLFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN COMPUTER
SCIENCE AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
PROJECT TOPIC:
TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
CASE STUDY: VVIP
BY:
ATSYOR ISAAC YAW (CS11110041)
LARYEA, SOWAH EMMANUEL (CS11110223)
SUPERVISOR:
MR. BEN-BRIGHT BENUWA
DECLARATIONThis is to declare that, the research work underlying this
dissertation has been carried out by the under mentioned
students under the supervisor. Both the student and the
supervisor certify that the work documented in this dissertation
is the output of their research conducted by the students as
part of their final year project work in partial fulfillment of
the requirements of Bachelor of Science Degree in computer
Science.
STUDENT (1) STUDENT
(2)
ISAAC YAW ATSYOR LARYEA, SOWAH
EMMANUEL
…………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
SIGNATURE SIGNATURE
SUPERVISOR
MR. BEN-BRIGHT BENUWA
………………………………………………………
I
SIGNATURE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTOur first appreciation goes to the almighty God for blessing us
with his immense knowledge and wisdom that enable us to embark on
this project and come to a successful end of our four (4) years
academic career.
In addition, we owe much gratitude to our supervisor, Mr. Ben-
Bright Benuwa who sacrificed his precious moment to review and
ensure that the necessary advices, corrections and suggestions
given were effected appropriately.
Also, we wish to extend our appreciation to the management of
VVIP Transport Services (Circle Branch) for their cooperation and
information which helped us to model this system to this end of
our research work.
Furthermore, we are grateful to our indefatigable lectures of the
noble department of computer science and information system for
their humor, love, guidance and whose effort towards us was
relentless on this journey. We will forever be thankful for this
instilled lifelong knowledge.
II
DEDICATIONOur dedication goes to the Most High God and our supervisor; Mr.
Ben-Bright Benuwa, who relentlessly assisted and never gave up on
us throughout the project development duration. Besides, our
dedication goes to our cherished loving and hardworking parents,
not forgetting our siblings who continually encouraged and
motivated us and to our loved ones.
III
ABSTRACTThe idea behind this research work is to contribute to the
development of ways by which transport managements go through
their activities on a day to day basis. It aims to provide an
efficient, easy to use work environment for all key users of the
Transport management System (TMS) (thus, administrator, Clients,
and drivers). A look alike or prototype of this system was
developed to aid information gathering from prospective users,
and also to understand the different requirements of users of the
system. The finished systems as well as the prototypes were
developed on web based application tools such as PHP, MYSQL, CSS,
HTML, and the Android Framework etc. The developed system assists
in registration of drivers, vehicles, electronic ticketing, and
management of vehicles in the system which includes online
accumulation of their mileage result and financial recording to
mention a few which would help management to make informed
decisions based on their operations and information management.
IV
Table of ContentsDECLARATION...................................................I
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT..............................................II
DEDICATION..................................................III
ABSTRACT.....................................................IV
CHAPTER 1......................................................1
GENERAL INTRODUCTION..........................................1
1.1 INTRODUCTION............................................1
1.2 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY.................................2
1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT.......................................3
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY......................................4
1.5 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY.................................5
1.5.1 GLOBAL OBJECTIVES....................................5
1.5.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES..................................5
1.6 SUBJECT AND FIELD OF STUDY..............................5
1.7 METHODOLOGY.............................................6
1.9 PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH................................7
CHAPTER 2......................................................8
LITERATURE REVIEW.............................................8
2.1 INTRODUCTION............................................8
2.2 GENERAL BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY AREA....................8
2.3 THE EXISTING SYSTEMS...................................13
2.4 COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE REVIEWED SYSTEMS..............18
2.5 CONCLUSION.............................................18
CHAPTER THREE.................................................19
LIFE CYCLE DESIGN OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM.....................19
3.1 INTRODUCTION...........................................19
3.2 CRYSTALLIZATION OF THE PROBLEM.........................19
3.3 FLOW CHART FOR THE EXISTING SYSTEM.....................24
V
3.4 FLOW CHART DIAGRAMS....................................27
3.5 DATAFLOW DIAGRAM.......................................31
3.6 ENTITY RELATIONSHIP....................................31
3.7 INDIVIDUAL ENTITY RELATIONSHIP DIAGRAMS................33
CHAPTER FOUR..................................................35
SYSTEM TESTING, IMPLEMENTATION AND DOCUMENTATION.............35
4.1 INTRODUCTION...........................................35
4.2 CONVERTING TO THE NEW SYSTEM...........................35
4.3 TESTING OF THE NEW SYSTEM..............................37
4.4 SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION...................................38
4.5 CONCLUSION.............................................46
CHAPTER 5.....................................................47
RECOMMENDATION FOR FURTHER RESEARCH..........................47
5.1 INTRODUCTION...........................................47
5.2 SUMMARY................................................47
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS........................................47
5.4 CONCLUSION.............................................48
REFERENCES:..................................................49
APPENDIX A-B.................................................50
VI
VII
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The integration of information and communications technology in
business has revolutionized relationships within organizations
and those between and among organizations and individuals.
Specifically, the use of ICT in business has enhanced
productivity, encouraged greater customer care and participation,
and enabled mass customization, besides reducing costs.
Many content-services are been digitalized constantly in our
daily life. To be more convenient and efficient, many kinds of
high technological products have also been personalized,
mobilized, and people can handle their businesses at anytime from
anywhere.
With the advent of computerized Transport Management System which
basically enables the administrator’s and the drivers of the
system to be more proactive in the day-to-day management of the
Vehicles to know the specific time when a particular Vehicle will
be due for servicing, departure and maintenance via tele-message
or what is popularly known as short-message-services (SMS)
1
Transport, a means of moving people, animals and goods from one
location to another, enabling trade between persons, is essential
to the development of civilization [6].
Transport may be public where scheduled services is a key
necessity. Economic growth has always been dependent on
increasing the capacity and rationality of transport [4].
Therefore, a formal approach to transport management: using
models which enable transport forecasting would enable planners
to predict future transport patterns and an increased economic
growth.
1.2 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The main Transportation system in Ghana is accomplished by road,
rail, air and water. Ghana's transportation and communications
networks are centered in the southern regions. Increased
transport investment has helped to increase the number of new
vehicle registrations and transportation alternatives include
rail, road, ferry, marine and air [1].
Road transport is by far the dominant carrier of freight and
passengers in Ghana’s land transport system. It carries over 95%
of all passenger and freight traffic and reaches most
communities, and is classified under three categories of trunk
roads, urban roads, and feeder roads.
2
There has been an increased investment and expansion in the road
transportation of Ghana which hits GH₵1 billion (US$500 million)
in 2012. [5]
There is a Ghanaian Bus Rapid Transit, known as Metro mass
Transit L.T.D, and a Taxicab system connecting the Ghanaian big
cities among themselves, and a Minibuses system, known as Tro
Tros, connecting big cities with the country's rural areas and
small towns. The Ghana Police Service's Motor Transport and
Traffic Unit (MTTU) and the Ghana Highways Authority is
responsible for the maintenance of the Road Traffic Control of
Ghana and the Ghana Road Network (Ghana national highways and
motorways).
1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT
Currently, there is no well-structured system used within the
vehicle Unit of VVIP to properly manage the vehicle's maintenance
process. All the vehicle's maintenance jobs were fully relied
onto the individuals or drivers who is responsible for the
vehicle.
In Ghana, the VVIP Transport Service at Circle in the Greater
Accra Region of Ghana, officially recognized by the Ministry of
Roads and Transport is no exception. The service faces major
challenges in customer satisfaction with regards to undue
3
breakdown of the buses on the road. It is also as a result of the
management not paying attention to vehicles servicing dates
because of the manual way of managing the vehicle maintenance
schedules.
Theft, item loss and retrieval is also a major concern. Customers
and drivers do not have a preview of each other’s information
before they commute on a journey.
The situation when passengers would have a long queue and over-
crowding due to the purchasing of ticket at the sales point.
Nowadays, the used of tele-message or SMS seems very popular to
the nations. SMS is also applicable on many conditions and
environments. Applying SMS approach is also seems to simplify the
jobs or tasks needed to run vehicle's maintenance or organizing.
Therefore, the development of transport management system are
built to cover the entire problem that has been stated above,
besides introducing more effective and efficient system to ease
the transport management system in Ghana.
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of study covers vehicle maintenance and ticket
reservation for Transport Management in Ghana.
4
1.5 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1.5.1 GLOBAL OBJECTIVES
This is to contribute to an effective and efficient transport
management system by using information and communication
technology and emerging applications to drive the transportation
service delivery.
1.5.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
The specific objectives of these research is
1. To develop a computerized system, database driven and
user friendly for the transport management system.
2. To eliminate queuing for order placement, hence to speed
up execution of service delivery to customers.
3. To build alert system for maintenance of vehicles.
4. To build a system which provides a flexible online
payment processing.
5. To track and monitor the movement(s) of the VVIP buses.
1.6 SUBJECT AND FIELD OF STUDY
The subject is Transport Management System and the field of study
is Computer Science and Information Systems.
5
1.7 METHODOLOGY
Data will be obtained from both the primary and secondary
sources, which includes; formal and informal interviews.
The methodology to be used is the prototype.
Analysis, design, and implementation phases run concurrently, and
all three phases are performed repeatedly in a cycle until the
system is completed.
The first prototype is usually the first part of the transport
system that the user will use. The system is shown to the users
and the project sponsor, who provide reaction and comments. This
feedback will be used to re-analyze, re-design, and re-implement
a second prototype that provides a few more features.
This process continues in a cycle until the analysts, users, and
sponsor agree that the prototype of the transport management
system provides enough functionality to be installed and used in
the organization.
A prototype acts as a sample to test the system process [2].
6
1.9 PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH
The study would be presented as follows:
Chapter 1: General introduction – this includes the proposal to
subject under study.
Chapter 2: Literature Review (On the subject of study) - this
chapter will contain review of existing systems and their
characteristics.
Chapter 3: Life Cycle Design of the proposed System -
Crystallization of the problem – this chapter will bring out the
detailed problem of the existing system. It would also present a
view of the flow of the existing system with models like context
diagrams, data flow diagram and flow chart.
Chapter 4: System Testing Implementation and Documentation –
testing of the new system, implementation of the new system and
system documentation.
Chapter 5: Recommendation – the conclusion and recommendations of
the entire project.
7
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 INTRODUCTION
In today’s technology–driven world, vehicle has become an
essential part of our life that enable us to ease our business
flow. Thus, vehicle industry has been growing very fast due to
increasing needs of the automotive market among customers. Among
the most important parts of vehicle lifecycle is vehicle
maintenance and ticketing.
Electronic Bus Ticketing is the process of ordering tickets and
receiving validation on your electronic device [2].
To deepen the understanding, and for the success of this project,
the literature review focuses on the transportation system in
Ghana, the internet and then narrows down through electronic
commerce (e-commerce) to the electronic means of booking tickets
and vehicle maintenance. The research does not leave out Mpower
Payment Money Technology, the platform that ensures the
electronic payment system when booking tickets.
2.2 GENERAL BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY AREA
2.2.1 ROAD TRANSPORTATION SUB-SECTOR IN GHANA
Road transportation continues to be the most dominant and
accessible in Ghana. The total road network as at the end of 2007
was 64,323 km. Investment in this sub-sector therefore will
directly contribute to poverty reduction by way of:
8
1. Lower transport costs and make the goods consumed by poor
people more affordable and their products more competitive
2. Create employment and increase incomes.
2.2.2 THE INTERNET
The Internet is a communications protocol, a language which
computers use to talk to each other, called TCP/IP.
At the last count (Jul 2007), there were an estimated 489 million
hosts computers connected to internet.
2.2.3 ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
E-commerce is the use of electronic communications and digital
information processing technology in business transactions to
create, transform, and redefine relationships for value creation
between or among organizations, and between organizations and
individuals [1].
2.2.3.1 DIFFERENT TYPES OF E-COMMERCE
The major different types of e-commerce are: business-to-business
(B2B); business-to-consumer (B2C); business-to-government (B2G);
consumer-to-consumer (C2C); and mobile commerce (m-commerce).
For the purpose of this project, B2C e-commerce would be
discussed.
9
2.2.3.2 B2C E-COMMERCE
Business-to-consumer e-commerce, or commerce between companies
and consumers, involves customers gathering information;
purchasing
Physical goods (i.e., tangibles such as books or consumer
products) or information goods (or goods of electronic material
or digitized content, such as software, or e-books); and, for
information goods, receiving products over an electronic network,
online reservation systems etc.
2.2.3 ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SYSTEM (EPS)
An electronic payment system (EPS) is a system of financial
exchange between buyers and sellers in the online environment
that is facilitated by a digital financial instrument (such as
encrypted credit card numbers, electronic checks, mobile money or
digital cash) backed by a bank, a telecommunication company, an
intermediary, or by legal tender [1].
2.2.4 MAINTENANCE SYSTEM
The dictionary defines maintenance as follows: “the work of
keeping something in proper condition; upkeep.” This would imply
that maintenance should be actions taken to prevent a device or
component from failing or to repair normal equipment degradation
experienced with the operation of the device to keep it in proper
working order. The need for maintenance is predicated on actual
10
or impending failure – ideally, maintenance is performed to keep
equipment and systems running efficiently for at least design
life of the component.
2.2.5 REACTIVE MAINTENANCE
This maintenance viewpoint allows vehicle to operate to failure,
providing for the repair or replacement of failed component only
when obvious problems occur. Studies as recent as at 2000
indicate this is still the predominant mode of maintenance in
many organizations (Higgins and Brautigam 1994).
Advantages to reactive maintenance can be viewed as a double-
edged sword. If we are dealing with new vehicles, we can expect
minimal incidents of failure. If our maintenance program is
purely reactive, we will not incur capital cost until some parts
breaks down.
Since we do not see any associated maintenance cost, we could
view this period as saving money.
The disadvantage is reality. In reality, during the time we
believe we are saving maintenance and capital cost, we are really
spending more money than we would have under a different
maintenance approach. We are spending more money associated with
capital cost because, while waiting for the vehicle to break, we
are shortening the life of the vehicle resulting in more frequent
replacement. We may incur cost upon failure of the primary device
11
associated with its failure causing the failure of a secondary
device. This is an increased cost we would not have experienced
if our maintenance program was more proactive. Patton et al.
(1994).
2.2.6 PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
According to the engineering handbook, preventive maintenance
could be defined as actions performed on a time or machine – run
–based schedule that detect, preclude, or mitigate degradation of
a component or system with the aim of sustaining its useful life
through controlling degradation to an acceptable level.
While preventive maintenance is not the finest maintenance
program, it does have several advantages over that of a purely
reactive program. Preventive maintenance (lubrication, filter
change, etc.) will generally run the equipment more efficiently
resulting in dollar savings. While we will not prevent equipment
catastrophic failures, we will decrease the number of failures.
Minimizing failures translate into maintenance and capital cost
savings. Palmer et al. (1999).
2.2.7 MPOWER MONEY PAYMENT TECHNOLOGY AS ELECTRONIC PAYMENT
SYSTEMS FOR THIS PROJECT.
For this project, Mpower payments, MTN mobile money, Airtel money
and Tigo cash are the options to making mobile money payments
when doing online ticket reservation.
12
Alternative to making payments online is pay at the counter after
reservation is done online.
2.3 THE EXISTING SYSTEMS
2.3.1 ABHIBUS TRANSPORT COMPANY
Abhibus Transport Company, an Indian based bus transportation
company runs an e-ticketing system. Users of the system can do
searching schedules of buses, searching of buses types, tickets
booking online, ticket cancellation as well as do e-payments.
Below is the screen shot of the system.
Figure 2.0 shows screenshots of the system;
Fig 2.0 showing the Home Page of Abhibus Transport Company
The system uses card technology as a means of payments. The cards
used here are VISA Card, MasterCard, etc.
HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS:
13
The user goes online and view buses schedules. He or she then
selects the trip source and destination as well as date and time
as shown in Fig 2.0. One way or two way option is available for
user. User then search buses and select the type of bus. A window
opens displaying all seats the bus has so that user can choose a
seat. The then continues by providing personal information,
selecting mode of payment and supplying required payment
information. Clicking a ‘Pay now’ pay now button previews the
user to all ticket information for the trip and thank you message
as well; and printing is done. This ticket is presented at the
point of boarding for verification.
2.3.2 MAKEMYTRIP SERVICES
Makemytrip is also a third party Indian company that offers a
variety of online services including buses, air, hotels
reservation services etc. Debit cards, net banking, credit cards,
cash cards and mobile banking are the means by which customers
make payments.
14
Fig 2.1 showing the Homepage of MakemyTrip
Fig. 2.2 showing the mode of payments in MakeMyTrip
HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS:
In fig 2.1 and fig 2.2, user goes online and chooses buses, then
whether domestic or international. He or she then selects
15
departure city and destination as well as date of departure and
date of return (optional).Also, providing email and hotel to
lodge are available and optional. Clicking ‘continue’ sends the
user to a window where the bus operator and the type of bus are
selected in order to view and select seat and boarding point.
Clicking ‘continue’ sends the user to a window where the user
provides the personal information, payment type (as debit cards,
net banking, credit cards, cash cards and mobile banking) and the
information required. Clicking ‘continue’ previews the user to
the ticket information and welcome message. User then prints the
ticket to present at the point of boarding for verification.
2.3.3 TRAVELYAARI BOOKING SERVICES COMPANY
Another review was Travelyaari Booking Services Company, the
largest third party Indian company that offers a real time bus
tickets booking services, where people can book tickets online.
It has similar functionalities as that of the Abhibus Company.
Fig 2.3 Home Page of Travelyaari
16
HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS:
In fig 2.3, the user goes online and view buses schedules. He or
she then selects the trip source and destination as well as
either one way or two way trip. User then search buses and select
the bus operator, bus type, departure date and time. A window
displays the buses details. The user selects a bus and provides
personal information, payment type and the required payment
information. Clicking ‘Reserve’ displays successful reservation
information as well as the ticket details.
2.3.4 THE COCA COLA BOTTLING COMPANY GHANA LIMITED
Upon reviewing the current system at The Coca Cola Bottling
Company Ghana Limited (TCCBCGL) office, on vehicle maintenance
schedule is carried out. The system upon analysis we saw a number
of deficiency in the system that does not order well for the
smooth operation of work by technician, administrators and
management of the company.
How the Current System Work
The current flow of business at the TCCBCGL organization section
is described below. Flow of business cut across all major company
premises, this has been summarized below:
i. The driver at any point in time can send information to
the maintenance manager on the need to carry out
maintenance on the work.
17
ii. The maintenance manager then checks on the availability
of manpower, tools and spare parts to carry out this
maintenance.
iii. Depending on the availability of tools or manpower the
maintenance will be carried out.
2.4 COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE REVIEWED SYSTEMS
The systems were developed using the optimized website designing
and development techniques, which would help in minimum server
loads and ultra-fast loading and processing unlike the old system
where activities cannot be carried out fast.
The Electronic Traffic Violation system has a clean and user
friendly interface as compared to the other systems were the
interfaces are very complex.
All of the systems have been integrated with a centralized
database platform which provides management user-friendly
interface.
2.5 CONCLUSION
In the course of the literature review, research and case study
on this new system, it had become obvious that Transport
Management System is an economic potential system in Ghana. It
would be very useful and helpful in the transportation system of
Ghana since this kind of buying bus ticket system never exists in
country. It will help customers manage their busy schedules while
gotten their travel tickets reserved.
18
CHAPTER THREE
LIFE CYCLE DESIGN OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM
3.1 INTRODUCTION
Erstwhile to development of any system requires a better
understanding of the problem, opportunity, or the requirement.
This new project is not an exception. A detail breakdown and
analysis have been made to guarantee the full comprehension of
the need for this project, the objectives of the case study, the
advantages and expectation of this project.
3.2 CRYSTALLIZATION OF THE PROBLEM
A VVIP transportation service is a domestic private
transportation company that runs vehicles all over the country
and even beyond. The company has several branches at different
locations of the country
The company requires an online application to be developed, where
customers can conveniently reserve tickets and also ensure an
effective maintenance of their vehicles.
The existing system has no online booking capabilities and inept
vehicle assessment and maintenance therefore disables customers
to book tickets online as well as inform drivers of pending
servicing.
3.2.1 EXISTING SCENARIO:
VVIP Company provides the transportation facility with the
following features to the customers;
19
Luxury buses
Regular buses
They maintain all the records of the bus reservation at the counter
through manual means.
Telephone reservations and bookings are possible. Seats are
allocated at the time of booking.
3.2.2 MISSION OF THE COMPANY
Our foundation is built on providing safe, reliable and
affordable passenger transport while delivering to our clients
the highest standard of professional and efficient service.
3.2.3 FACT FINDINGS
A lot of effort has been made to gather information to support
this work. The veracity of the information is not questionable
because relevant and authentic citations or references are made
alongside.
3.2.4 FEASIBILITY STUDIES
The objectives of this study is to find out whether this project
can be done or worth doing. It will also bring out the challenges
or comfort that potential users may demonstrate.
3.2.5 TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY
Technical feasibility is the measure of the practicality of a
specific technical information system solution and the
20
availability of technical resources. Often new technologies are
solutions looking for a problem to solve.
This project is technically feasible because it is within the
limits of current technologies. The resources required to get the
project developed is not much of a headache. There are available
software development tools (e.g., php/admin, sms api etc.), the
technical and methodological know-how to get the task
accomplished.
3.2.6 ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY
Economic feasibility is the measure of the cost effectiveness of
an information system solution. Without a doubt, this measure is
most often the most important among them.
3.2.7 OPERATIONAL FEASIBILITY
Operational feasibility is the measure of how well particular
information systems will work in a given environment.
3.2.8 OBSERVATIONS
Observation forms the bases for this project. Having involved in
the processes of acquiring a travel ticket especially on busy
schedules reveals the need for this system.
The process is just time consuming, not easily accessible and
laborious to acquire.
21
For the administrators, knowing the total number of
drivers/vehicles and there operational status and licensing
information and mileage is very essential.
3.2.9 INTERVIEW
The premise of VVIP Company was visited to ascertain the
operational details, the challenges the company faces, business
objectives, mission and vision, technological requirements among
others. These were done through face-to-face interview with the
workers of the company after obtaining permission.
3.2.10 RECORDS REVIEW
This methodological technique played an important role in this
systems review.
The Records include:
Ticket books
Standard operating procedures used in the Ticket Handling
System.
Forms.
Through good analysis, the team found answers to questions
relating to:
Standard operating procedure
Reports generation with the existing system.
Document flow (input/output) of the ticket handling system
Process of Issuing of the tickets
22
Aside review of records common to the current system users,
reviewing the internet or web pages of the company plays another
important role in showing the need for this project.
3.3 FLOW CHART FOR THE EXISTING SYSTEM
Fig 3.1 Ticket buying process flowchart
23
3.3.1 OBJECTIVES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE NEW SYSTEM
The system should enable the customer to be able to book tickets
online. It should also enable the database administrator to
manage the database effectively. The system should permit easy
reporting of information in the organization; on all vehicles,
drivers and their licensing information.
Specifically the following objectives must be achieved;
This project seeks to achieve the following objectives;
To automate ticket sales for internet users
To provide timely service to customers
To provide reports to stakeholders of the company. This
would aid in enhancing the administration and operations of
the sales office.
Monitor and maintain vehicles to smooth operations.
To provide a convenient and efficient service to customers
after orders are made as well as manage vehicles.
3.3.1 PLATFORM ON WHICH THE TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WILL
BE BASED
The system will be based on the following platform PHP, MySQL
(Database), CSS, Dreamweaver CS, and Photoshop CS6.
PHP: PHP is a general-purpose server-side scripting language
originally designed for web development to produce dynamic web
pages. For this purpose, PHP code is embedded into the HTML
24
source document and interpreted by a web server with a PHP
processor module, which generates the web page document. It also
has evolved to include a command-line interface capability and
can be used in standalone graphical applications. PHP can be
deployed on most web servers and as a standalone interpreter, on
almost every operating system and platform free of charge.
MySQL (Database): MySQL is robust, powerful, and scalable. It can
be used in applications from tiny web databases to very large
data warehouses with terabytes of data, especially managing large
database of customers.
JavaScript: JavaScript (sometimes abbreviated JS) is a prototype-
based scripting language that is dynamic, weakly typed and has
first-class functions. It is a multi-paradigm language,
supporting object-oriented, imperative, and functional
programming styles.
CSS Cascading Style Sheets: (CSS) is a style sheet language used
for describing the presentation semantics (the look and
formatting) of a document written in a mark-up language. CSS is
designed primarily to enable the separation of document content
(written in HTML or a similar markup language) from document
presentation, including elements such as the layout, colors, and
fonts.
25
Photoshop CS6: Adobe Photoshop software creates virtually
anything you can imagine with images. Restore and refine
photographs, combine multiple images to create stunning artwork,
and design for web, video, and so much more.
26
3.4 FLOW CHART DIAGRAMS
FIG. 3.2 Context Flow Diagram for Proposed system
27
FIG 3.3 DATAFLOW DIAGRAM FOR THE PROPOSED SYSTEM
28
FIG 3.4 FLOW CHART FOR ADMINISTRATOR LOGIN
29
FIG 3.5 FLOW CHART FOR USER TASKS
30
3.5 DATAFLOW DIAGRAM
Fig. 3.6 Data Flow Diagram of the system
3.6 ENTITY RELATIONSHIP
Database systems are often modeled using an Entity Relationship
(ER) diagram as the "blueprint" from which the actual data is
stored — the output of the design phase. The ER diagram is an
analyst's tool to diagram the data to be stored
31
FIG. 3.6 ENTITY RELATIONSHIP DIAGRAM
32
3.7 INDIVIDUAL ENTITY RELATIONSHIP DIAGRAMS
ADMIN
passwordname
leveladmin_id
FIG.3.7 ADMIN DIAGRAM
33
FIG. 3.8 USER REGISTRATION DIAGRAM
FIG.3.9 DRIVER REGISTRATION DIAGRAM
34
CHAPTER FOUR
SYSTEM TESTING, IMPLEMENTATION AND DOCUMENTATION
4.1 INTRODUCTION
Implementation is the process of replacing the old system with
the new system.
4.2 CONVERTING TO THE NEW SYSTEM
There are four different ways of replacing the old system with
the new system, via:
Direct implementation
Phased implementation
Parallel implementation
Pilot implementation
The reason for choosing one implementation type over another
depends upon:
How quickly must the changeover happen?
How important is it to prevent data loss?
What will the cost of the changeover be?
4.2.1 DIRECT IMPLEMENTATION
This is cheapest and fastest but risky.
1. Decide upon a date and time for the changeover
2. At that date and time switch off the old system
3. Immediately switch on the new system
The old system is no longer available and everything must run on
the new system. Problems with the new system can cause major
35
problems for the business. Only suitable for non-critical
systems.
4.2.2 PHASED IMPLEMENTATION
Takes longer to complete the implementation but the risks to the
businesses are less than for direct changeover. Only possible is
the new system can be split into separate working parts e.g.
sales, marketing, payroll etc.
1. Replace part of the old system with new system,
2. Wait until the replaced part is working properly
3. Repeat steps 1-2 with another part
4. Continue until the entire old system has been replaced by the
new system
4.2.3 PARALLEL IMPLEMENTATION
Highly fault tolerant, new system available immediately but very
expensive
1. Leave the old system running
2. Switch the new system on using extra staff to run it
3. Do everything twice, once on the old system and once on the
new system
4. Continue to run both system with twice the staff and twice the
work until the new system is working properly
5. Switch of the old system.
Due to the high cost and doubling of work this is only really
done if the system being replaced is so important that a failure
would cause catastrophic problems e.g. air traffic control
36
computer systems can't be allowed to fail because many people
might die.
4.2.4 PILOT IMPLEMENTATION
If the business has many different offices or sites then this is
an option.
1. One single site is chosen and the old system is replaced with
the new one in the same way as direct changeover but only in
that one site
2. The rest of the business continues to use the old system
3. Once the new system is shown to work well in that one 'pilot'
site then the new system can replace the old one in the rest
of company. [10]
4.3 TESTING OF THE NEW SYSTEM
4.3.1 Unit testing: Testing of individual software components or modules. Typically done by the programmer and not by testers,
as it requires detailed knowledge of the internal program design
and code may require developing test driver modules or test
harnesses
4.3.2 Functional testing: This type of testing ignores the internal parts and focus on the output is as per requirement or
not. Black-box type testing geared to functional requirements of
an application.
4.3.3 End-to-end testing: Similar to system testing, involves testing of a complete application environment in a situation that
mimics real-world use, such as interacting with a database, using
network communications, or interacting with other hardware,
applications, or systems if appropriate.[8]
37
4.3.4 USERS EXPOSURE/TRAINING
It is important to enlighten the users of the system fully about
the system. Although the user manual is provided some user might
prefer and get accustomed to the system quickly by a physical
training. Where intended users and developer use the system and
it is recommended that the administrator be groomed well for an
effective and efficient usage of the system. Thorough training
would not take more than half a month to complete.
4.4 SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION
This is the user manual and system documentation of version 1.1
of the full-spectral first-development of the transport system
which focuses on the result and finance of a typical transport
system.
It includes general flows of the program that explain what goes
on in the system. The documentation guides users to navigate
through the system once the user enters the system. It also helps
remember details of the system. It also enables users’ effective
use of the system.
4.4.1 ABOUT THE SYSTEM
The initiative to develop the new computerized system is mainly
to tackle the problems of VVIP transport in the areas of ticket
booking and vehicle management. The online system would reduce
queues at the bus terminals when monies are being paid and the
staff including driver activity are collected. It’s an active
application which keeps drivers and administrators updated,
providing bills, timetables, notices and reports for proper
updates on activities in the company. It is intended that being
an administrator, driver, and client, should be able to access
the system at any given point in time and location as long as
38
there’s an access to the internet. The administrator would be
provided with information from all aspects of the system, the
drivers can easily input vehicle mileage and it’s made easy for
drivers.
4.4.2 USER MANUAL
This is very important as it helps users have an understanding of
the system. The user manual is put together to give users
guidelines about the system.
User manual provides important information on ‘how to use a
product’ to end-users, with proper use of a device there is less
risks or difficulties with its use. It usually comes with all
software and this system is not exempted. However this is not the
only benefit, though probably the biggest.
Here are the vital notes to be taken regarding this system:
Gaining entrance to the system, the user is expected to open any
web browser and type in the address into the URL.
The first page to pop up is the homepage where the user is
expected to choose from the list of account types in the system
(administrator, client, and driver). With the login, an email is
expected, which should include these two special characters
“@and.” and an easy to remember password of your choice.
4.4.3 ADMINISTRATOR
The administrator has access for to all aspects of the system.
The administrator also grants access to all users of the system
thereby ensuring security and integrity in the system.
The administrator gains access to the system by typing into the
URL of the preferred browser ‘vvip/pages’ after which he enters
39
his login details i.e. Username and password, access is granted
and he can perform the following activities:
Add users to the system (drivers, staff, etc.).
View client details which include client result, financial
information.
Receives reports from staffs.
Send reminders to drivers via SMS.
Manage all financial details.
4.4.3 CLIENT
Each client in this system is registered into the system is given
the login details (username and password). With these details the
client can have access to his or her profile in the system.
Clients can perform the following functions:
View and also print his bookings.
View his financial details.
View schedule timetable.
4.4.4 DRIVERS/STAFF
Staffs/drivers are also registered into the system by the
administrator, and with this detail he can perform his respective
duties in the system.
40
4.4.5 SOME SNAPSHOTS OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM
FIG 4.0 Homepage
The figure 4.0 above shows the homepage of the company’s where
the public can visit and learn about the services the company
renders.
41
FIG 4.1 LOGIN PAGE
The figure 4.1 above shows the portal which allows users both old
and new to access resources within the system through
authentication by username and password.
FIG 4.2 ADMINISTRATOR PANEL
The figure 4.2 above shows the Administering panel after the
Admin has login using username and password.
42
FIG 4.3 TICKET BOOKING PANEL
The figure 4.3 above helps customers to patronize online ticket
reservation.
FIG 4.4 TRACK SCHEDULER
43
The dashboard fig 4.4 above shows how to use the scheduler to
capture detail information about every bus. For instance, the
type of bus, destination, date and time of every trip. Also, it
enables management to preview the daily operational movement of
the buses for their decisions making.
Fig. 4.5
The figure 4.5 above shows how information content on the report
generating slip.
44
FIG 4.6 REPORT PREPARATION PORTAL
The figure 4.6 above shows the portal for computing varying
degrees of reporting from the system.
45
FIG 4.7 DRIVER INFORMATION DESK
The figure 4.7 above portrays detailed information about the drivers of the company.
4.5 CONCLUSION
Pilot running would be implemented for this system, because VVIP
has about five branches and therefore the new system can be
implemented at one of the branches and afterwards the others.
Also one can say because the old system is manual a direct
changeover can be done.
46
CHAPTER 5
RECOMMENDATION FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
5.1 INTRODUCTION
In the course of this project, important facts that can be
incorporated were pointed out, areas such as adding SMS (short
messaging system), to help with convenience in communicating
information to parents at a timely pace. Another area noted and
implemented is the social network platform for students.
Initially drivers were to be given a default username and
password but another implementation is the ability for users to
change their password to a more convenient and secured one once
they are first logged in.
5.2 SUMMARY
Transport management system as explained all through the
documentation is a central place for making all types of
information accessible to an audience of varying range. We have
been able to meet up the standard of a well-built transport
management system. It works as a management information system
that holds details of vital activities in transporting. Transport
management is expected to efficiently satisfy the vital needs of
a typical transport company ranging from management of tickets,
vehicles, drivers details registration, vehicle tracking, and
short messaging services also known as S.M.S which is available
to relay information to administrators in a much more timely
manner unlike the email. This system will also perform
effectively on availability of internet access.
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
Our recommendations for future research on this system is to
implement a platform for users to tract and join buses at vintage
47
points, updates be done on a daily bases to improve users
usability. As VVIP is a company with different branches, report
accumulation of all branches should be made possible. Also
trending with technology payment can be made through the system
without having to travel down to VVIP station.
5.4 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, all efforts put in place for the existence of this
system, provides a user friendly interface which helps users to
navigate effectively and efficiently through the system.
Alongside developing the system some corrections were made to
rectify different errors, errors such as logical error, semantic
errors, database errors, all these challenges were succumbed in
the development of this system.
48
REFERENCES:[1] Clark, Nancy L, (November 1994). Transportation and
Telecommunications. La Verle Berry
[2] McBride, J. R, (2002). Introduction to Systems
Analysis, Topic 19, Rapid Application Development. Prentice-Hall
[3] Wyrick, David A.; Chinweike, Eseonu I,
(2008).Integration of Automated Vehicle System Data Acquisition.
Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute
[4] Stopford, Martin, (1998). Maritime Economics. London.
Routledge.
[5] Commerce, Ghana.5th June, 2013. Adequate
Transportation.http://www.commerceghana.com/why-invest-in-ghana/t
ransportation-in-ghana
[6] Wikipedia.2014. transport.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/transport
[7] Ministry of
Transportation.2014.Transportation.www.mot.gov.gh
[8] Zorayda, R, (2003). E-commerce and E-Business.
Malaysia. e-ASEAN Task Force and the UNDP-APDIP Kuala Lumpur
[9] Opticon, (2009).Mobile Ticketing Solutions. Technical
Paper
[10] ISC(2010).www.isc.org
49
APPENDIX A-B<?php
class myDbClass {
public $mysql;
public $logged_in_user;
function __construct() {
//creating a new instanc eof mysqli class
//open database
$this -> mysql = new mysqli('localhost', 'dbuser',
'password', 'vvip') or die('There was a problem connecting to
the Database');
}
function __destruct() {
//close out the database connection
$this -> mysql -> close();
}
function ValidateUserData() {
if (isset($_POST['Submit2'])) {
$source = $_POST['source'];
50
$destination = $_POST['destination'];
$bustype = $_POST['bustype'];
$date = $_POST['datePicker'];
$deptime = $_POST['deptime'];
$passname = $_POST['passname'];
$mobile = $_POST['mobile'];
$gender = $_POST['gender'];
$_SESSION['source'] = $source;
$_SESSION['destination'] = $destination;
$_SESSION['bustype'] = $bustype;
$_SESSION['date'] = $date;
$_SESSION['deptime'] = $deptime;
$_SESSION['passname'] = $passname;
$_SESSION['mobile'] = $mobile;
$_SESSION['gender'] = $gender;
if ($source == "FROM" || $destination == "TO") {
echo "<h2>Please Select Correct
Destinations</h2><br>";
} elseif ($source == $destination) {
51
echo "<h2>Select Different Destinations</h2>";
} elseif (empty($date)) {
echo "<h2>Please Select Correct Date</h2> <br>";
} elseif (is_numeric($passname)) {
echo "<h2>Please Enter Correct name</h2> <br>";
} elseif (is_string($mobile)) {
echo "<h2>Please Enter Correct number</h2> <br>";
} else {
if ($bustype == "Luxury Bus") {
$this -> select_luxury_cost();
header('location:preview.php');
} elseif ($bustype == "Regular Bus)") {
$this -> select_regular_cost();
header('location:preview.php');
}
}
}
}
52