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BlockBuster is a powerful runcutting tool which is used with Trapeze FX or as a stand-alone application.
BlockBuster and Run Block Optimizer Parameters
Run Block Optimizer is a BlockBuster module with a powerful algorithm that helps process run solutions in BlockBuster.
The BlockBuster System Administrator and User Guide describes the initial set up of the software, explains general runcutting concepts and procedures on performing runcutting, and provides tips and strategies on how to arrive at an optimum runcutting solution for your transit site.
Resources for Software Maintenance
You can access additional technical assistance through our resource website and annual user conference.
Logging on to BlockBuster
To access BlockBuster, you must provide the necessary identification information.
Exiting the System
It is very important that you exit the system properly. Failure to do so could lead to the corruption of the database.
The first step in learning BlockBuster is to acquire a basic understanding of the layout and design of your screen.
Reading the Workspace
The appearance of your workspace depends on the features that you want activated or displayed.
Navigating in the Workspace
To help you navigate efficiently in a screen, you can right-click on either the vertical or horizontal scroll bar.
Bookmarking Records for Navigation
The Bookmark option is the same as the Toggle option.
Selecting Records in Grid-Based Screens
You can select multiple records in the grid. The records may be listed in succession or in different sections of the grid, that is, not listed in succession.
Filtering BlockBuster Data
You can use operational signs and expressions to filter the data on the grids.
Sorting Information in the Grids
Sort information in grids with the sort commands included in Standard Toolbar Commands.
A workspace is the set up of the Trapeze5 workstation on your computer screen in terms of content and appearance.
Accessing the Software
When your transit site sets a policy defining the use of private and shared workspaces, it is up to the system administrator to maintain Trapeze5 in accordance with that policy.
Customized Workspaces
The two categories of workspaces that are highly customizable are: private and shared.
Creating Private Workspaces
Customize your workspace using any of the options available as described throughout this section.
About Customizing Grids
BlockBuster only uses List view.
Standard Toolbars
Trapeze5 has five standard toolbars.
Adding Other Content to Your Workspace
You can choose to add other content to the workspace.
Customizing Launchpad, Accessories, and Resource Monitor
If you choose to use Launchpad, Accessories, and Resource Monitor, you can define how they appear on your screen.
Status Bar and Workbook Tabs
You can choose to display or hide the Status bar and the Workbook tabs.
Customizing the Appearance of Your Workspace
You can change the appearance of your workspace by changing the position or resizing your workspace elements such as the toolbars, screens, and accessories and adjusting the zoom level.
Exporting Workspaces
You can export a workspace on your machine to the network so that others at your site can see how your workspace is set up or use it themselves.
Importing Workspaces
If you have an issue with BlockBuster, Trapeze Customer Care may send you a workspace file and ask you to import it on to your machine to ensure that you are both looking at the same layout while they help you.
Opening, Exporting, or Importing Selected Workspace Items
When you open, export or import a workspace, you have the option to include only certain items in the workspace.
Printing in BlockBuster
The steps in printing in BlockBuster is similar to those for printing a spreadsheet.
Tasks in FX Before Runcutting
Before runcutting in BlockBuster, there are tasks that you must perform in Trapeze FX to make sure that your data is complete and free from errors.
Adding BlockBuster Extensions to Menus
The contents of the menus are referred to as extensions, which can potentially extend the scope of the product.
BlockBuster Security Keys
Security rights in Trapeze are managed using permission or security keys.
Properties are used to create settings for a Trapeze application as they relate to the general workstation and/or specific task screens.
BlockBuster Properties in Trapeze FX
The properties on the FX list in the Trapeze4 workstation are specific to FX or BlockBuster or apply to both.
Graphical Runcutting Properties
The properties for Graphical Runcutting are mainly on editing trips with Exceptions Off:
Reports Properties
Crystal Reports XI Runtimes is required for running reports.
User-defined properties affect local workstations only and can be adjusted at any time by the user of the workstation.
Formats Properties
The following table describes the properties that control the appearance of data for storage or display.
Workstation Properties
The following table describes the Workstation properties that control the performance and ability of the computer to carry out tasks.
Context refers to data elements that determine the data that is displayed or included in the processes that you apply. The various BlockBuster screens require different data elements; some screens require fewer data elements compared to the main BlockBuster screen.
Setting the Context in BlockBuster
Before you can work with any data (uncut blocks or previous runcuts) that exist in BlockBuster, you must set the context of the data that you want to work with using the Context dialog.
Before runcutting, you must set up the ancillary data that tells the system the specific conditions that are applicable to your transit site and facilitates the use of the BlockBuster runcutting function.
Adding Run Types
The run types are defined by using the Run Types screen in BlockBuster. It is necessary to define the run types before you open the BlockBuster screen.
Creating Run Type Categories
Run type categories are groupings of run types. They allow you to specify a maximum and/or a minimum number of runs for a combination of run types.
Assigning Garages to Run Types
When generating runs, the system automatically assigns the garages that add the least cost although they may not be where operators can sign on or off.
Setting Run Type Percentage Rules
Percentage rules refer to the percentage of runs of a certain run type or group of run types that are required by your transit site. For example, no more than 25% of runs can be splits.
Travel refers to the time it takes an operator to travel between relief nodes or between a garage and a relief node. They are defined in the Travels screen.
Adding Travels
Before performing any task on the Travels screen, make sure to set the context first.
Calculating Travels
Calculate Travels determines the actual and paid times of drivers between relief points and garages.
Travels Screen
The following table explains the fields and options that are found in the Travels screen.
Generating Travels from Deadheads
A convenient way to create travels is to generate them from deadheads.
Copying Travels
Copy travels from other services with the Copy Travels feature.
Adding Missing Travels
BlockBuster only attempts to cut runs with valid travels. If it does not find a travel, a message is displayed indicating that there are missing travels.
Deleting Travels
Deleting travels removes them permanently from your data.
Printing Travels Data
You can print the list of travels on the grid.
Calculating Travels Options
The following table describes the different options in the Calculate Travels dialog.
Restrictions are limitations that you place on reliefs. The system applies these restrictions when relief events are updated.
Copying Run Relief Restrictions from Previous Sign-up Periods
To save time and effort in creating run relief restrictions that are the same as those used in previous sign-up periods, use the Copy Run Relief Restrictions feature.
Deleting Run Relief Restrictions
To permanently remove a run relief restriction, you must delete it from the grid.
Importing Runs from FX to BlockBuster
If you used the FX Runcutter feature, you may want to import the runs generated into BlockBuster for further processing.
Defining a good set of parameters is paramount to successful runcutting in BlockBuster. When defining the rules, you must establish what you are trying to achieve and focus on it.
About the Parameters and Parameters by Situation Tabs
The Parameters and Parameters by Situation tabs both show the following tables although they display them in different order:
Displaying and Hiding Parameters
The BlockBuster Parameters Admin tool allows you to hide parameters that you do not want displayed on the screen.
Saving Parameter Settings
Make sure that you save the settings that you made in the BlockBuster Parameters Admin screen.
Setting Sign-up Parameters as the Default
The Sign-up Default parameters act as a storage place for the best set of parameters for a sign-up period.
Importing Parameters from One Sign-up Period to Another
When you use the Import Parameters function to import parameters from one sign-up period to another, the system attempts to match the run type numbers, run type category names, and percentage rule names of the two scenarios.
Adding New Parameters
Adding new parameters to the database is normally performed when upgrading the BlockBuster version after importing the parameters.
Saving Parameters
When you save a set of parameters, they are stored in a file that is not within BlockBuster.
Loading Parameters
Note: When using the Load Parameters function, the system attempts to match the run type numbers, run type category names, and percentage pule names of the parameters you are loading and the scenario into which you are loading them.
Sharing Parameters Between Data Sources
If BlockBuster is implemented on multiple databases, you can transfer parameters developed in one implementation of BlockBuster and reuse them in another. A file with a bbp extension is used to store parameters that can be accessed from another data source.
About the Parameters Table
The Parameters table shows the parameters and their values that apply globally and in the current context and scenario.
Comparing Parameters Between Scenarios
The Compare Parameters dialog allows you to compare either BlockBuster or Run Block Optimizer parameters.
About Situation - Work and Pay Rules
Work and Pay rules and agreements are specific to your site.
About Situation - Run Types
Parameters associated with run types are grouped under this Situation.
About Situation - Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous parameters are global in nature and do not depend on anything, that is, they are not dependent on a division or sign-up period.
Supplementary Data (Supp Data) is usually set up during the installation of BlockBuster.
Customizing Supplementary Data Fields
Customizing your supplementary data fields refers to changing the appearance of the fields.
Generating Supplementary Data
When generating supplementary data, the system processes and displays the data that has been customized for your reports.
Editing Supplementary Data in Grids
You can edit supplementary data directly in the BlockBuster grids.
Runcutting is the process of developing or cutting runs from a group of vehicle blocks. Runs are composed of complete blocks or segments of blocks.
About Run Costing
The Run Costing dialog allows you to add extra pieces to runs, force runs types, and override run costings.
About Scheduling Possibilities Using Scenarios
Incremental Runcutting is a process of manipulating parameters to achieve a cost-effective set of runs that conforms to the work rules in place at an organization.
About Waits and Travels
The use of waits and travels is another approach to get an operator to and from his or her assigned run.
About Runcutting Approaches
BlockBuster provides two runcutting approaches: manual and automatic.
Unhooking Pieces
You can unhook a piece or several pieces between performing run cuts.
Uncutting Pieces
Before performing a runcut, you can uncut a piece or several pieces in order to exclude the items from a runcut.
About Comments
You can choose to add comments directly on the Comments field in the grid.
Configuring and Applying Created Pull-Outs and Pull-Ins
Created pull-outs and pull-ins are used where street reliefs are not allowed or difficult to have in order to:
Assessing Statistics of a Cut
After performing an automatic runcut, view some of its statistics. Open the Costing Summary dialog to quickly assess the results of a cut.
Generating Shuttle and WT Comments
Generating comments for Shuttles and Waits and Travels requires several tasks to be completed first. The following sections describe these tasks.
Creating Shuttle Schedules
If your transit site provides shuttle service, you can create shuttle schedules using BlockBuster.
Freezing and Unfreezing Runs
While runcutting in BlockBuster, you can choose to freeze runs that you do not want the system to cut or recut. BlockBuster then cuts the remaining runs without the runs that you have frozen.
Generating Extra Pieces of Work
You can generate extra pieces of work from excess amounts of paid breaks and makeup time as well as for selected runs.
Moving or Swapping Trips
You can move trips to other blocks or swap them with other trips.
Renumbering Runs
When renumbering runs, you can change the run number without changing the run name.
Shifting Reliefs
The Shift Relief function is used to show you the results and costs of shifting the time at a relief point on a run. It is used in manual runcutting only.
Viewing Histograms
BlockBuster provides histograms (or run graphs) of work content and platform time for a runcut.
About Relief Events
Relief events are the times and locations in a block where an operator takes over from another driver.
About Block Scenarios
Blockbuster block scenarios are similar to the block scenarios used in Trapeze FX. They are useful when working on Block Optimizer runcutting. See the Run Block Optimizer User Guide for more information.
About Runcutting with Exceptions
To generate exception runs, make sure that the scenario to which you want to apply the exceptions is marked as Active in the Scenario List dialog. Only one scenario can be active at a time.
Runcutting Combined Runs
The Combine Runs feature in FX Rostering only works if you also use BlockBuster.
Comparing Runcuts
The Compare Scenarios feature allows you to see the differences in runcuts between the active scenario and a previously saved scenario.
Uncutting Selected Runs
If you find runs that you would like to recreate in order to make them more efficient, reassign them to the Uncut Pieces grid with the Uncut feature.
This section discusses some strategies that you can follow in generating the most cost effective runcutting solution.
Points on Setting Parameters
For a run to be legal, parameters must be set within the defined minimum and maximum values.
Tips on Runcutting
It is important to take time to think about the option you are selecting when instructing BlockBuster to perform a type of runcut.
Bus graphs are graphical representations of vehicle and driver blocks.
Bus Graph Screen
The following table explains the columns on the left grid of the Bus Graph screen.
Adjusting Size of Bar Graphs
You can vary the size of the graph to adjust the readability of its contents.
Viewing Trip Details
Trip details refer to the information window that appears when you hover your pointer over trip on the graph.
Exceptions Applied to Trips
Trips with exceptions appear in different colors based on the type of exception.
Setting up Bus Graphs
Setting up the bus graphs involves setting up the data to be displayed and how you want them laid out on the graph.
Adding New Blocks
You can add trips from an existing block into a new block.
Printing Bus Graphs
You can choose to first preview the bus graph before you print it.
Graphical Runcutting is a form of manual runcutting that allows you manipulate the graphical representation of pieces of blocks on a grid to create and edit runs.
Points to Remember about Graphical Runcutting
This information aims to remind you the steps required before performing Graphical Runcutting and how it compares to runcutting in BlockBuster.
Graphical Runcutting Screen
The following graphic shows the Graphical Runcutting screen with some sample data.
About Runcutting on Graphs
On the Graphical Runcutting tab, the data that is shown in the columns in the grid is illustrated in the timelines on the graph.
Other Graphical Runcutting Features
Some of the features that you can use on the BlockBuster tab can also be applied on the Graphical Runcutting tab.
Setting up Blocks and Runs Graph Previews and Printouts
The placement of your pointer determines whether you are able to view or print the Blocks or Runs graph.
Printing Blocks and Runs Graphs
You can choose to print the graphs after you have previewed them.
Cut Pieces Grid
The Cut Pieces grid, which is the left grid on the main BlockBuster screen, displays the data that has been typed or generated from the runcutting processes.
Using shortcuts is an alternative to using the mouse to access commands on your screen.
Keystroke Legend
The following table explains the system responses that occur when you press a key or perform the keystroke on your keyboard while working on BlockBuster.