Quality Assurance & Improvement Flashcards

Which statement best describes a SMART goal for improving on-time performance?

Answer: Increase on-time arrivals from 88% to 95% on all routes by the end of the semester

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Why is employee involvement important in transportation quality improvement efforts?

Answer: Front-line drivers and technicians often best understand process problems and solutions

Staff who perform the work daily provide practical insights and increase buy-in for changes.

Student ride-time data shows some students ride over 75 minutes one way. A quality review should first:

Answer: Compare ride times against district policy and evaluate routing options

Ride times should be assessed against policy targets, then routing adjusted to reduce excessive durations.

A near-miss reporting system contributes to quality improvement because it:

Answer: Identifies hazards before they result in injuries or crashes

Near-miss data reveals hazards early, enabling preventive action before harm occurs.

Which source of data is most useful for objectively verifying route arrival and stop times?

Answer: GPS/telematics records

GPS/telematics provide objective, time-stamped location data for verifying actual performance.

A post-trip child check compliance audit finds 4 missed checks out of 200 observed. What is the compliance rate?

Answer: 98%

196 compliant of 200 observations equals 98% compliance.

Which type of variation is inherent to a stable process and cannot be eliminated without changing the system itself?

Answer: Common-cause variation

Common-cause variation is built into the system; reducing it requires management to change the process.