Skip to content

Melton to hospital

What would make these results stronger

This is a student prototype. Each point below fixes one limit we found. For each one, we say what is missing now, what would fix it, and who could help.

Measure real delays, not only the timetable

Now: Our trips follow the timetable. When we tested one missed connection, the improvement from more frequent buses disappeared.
Next: Save Victoria's live bus and train data every day. This would show how often connections are really missed. This live data is not kept, so there is no past record to use.
Who could help: Department of Transport and Planning.

Fill the footpath gaps with real data

Now: Some new estates have footpaths missing from the map data. This can make trips look longer than they are. We did not add the missing footpaths.
Next: Use the council's own footpath records, or check the new estates on foot.
Who could help: City of Melton.

Test the Cobblebank hospital with its real timetable

Now: We tested the Cobblebank site with the Sept 2026 buses and trains. The hospital opens in 2029, and its bus timetable is not public yet.
Next: Run the same test again when the new timetable is published.
Who could help: Department of Transport and Planning, Western Health.

Test later buses on more routes

Now: The “later buses” change adds buses that leave as late as 10 pm. Every new trip home uses one extra bus.
Next: Test buses leaving as late as 11:30 pm, to see if another route could also give these areas a late bus.
Who could help: Department of Transport and Planning, bus operators.

Test more days and times

Now: This site shows one weekday (Wednesday 9 Sep 2026) and two times for leaving hospital.
Next: Show weekend results too, and test the times when visiting hours and hospital discharges usually end.
Who could help: Western Health, which could share when patients and visitors usually leave.

Use newer and finer Census data

Now: We use 2021 Census data. The ABS changes small counts slightly to protect privacy, and each area starts from one centre point.
Next: Update the data when 2026 Census results are released. For large rural areas, start trips from more than one point.

Some of these only need new data. Others, like modelling missed connections or starting trips from more than one point, need changes to the method.