In a contract valued at over $1.6 million, Atlanta-based RouteMatch Software Inc. will provide its intelligent transportation system solutions to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and its RIde paratransit program.

The RIPTA contract will include advanced GIS-based paratransit scheduling software, new Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and Automated Vehicle Location/Mobile Data Communication (AVL/MDC) technologies, allowing RIPTA to automate, in real-time, the scheduling and dispatching of all vehicles, coordination with state agencies, vehicle and driver management, invoicing, reporting and communication with riders.

RIPTA officials say they expect to save money with improved scheduling, putting more riders on vehicles versus the costlier taxi cab trips during peak hours, as well as avoid expanding its call center by leveraging new technologies, such as the interactive voice response system.