The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) has launched a new website that aims to help school transportation providers make informed decisions with safety and efficiency in mind, association officials announced.

"Metrics and key performance indicators [KPIs] are becoming increasingly important in the pupil transportation industry,” NAPT President Keith Henry said in an announcement. “They help school administrators and taxpayers understand what we do and how well we do it. NAPT is committed to providing everyone with the information needed to provide the best service possible to their local communities."

The 3d.napt.org site is part of NAPT’s Data Driven Decisions (3D) project, which began in November 2012 under the association’s then-President Alex Robinson. A team of volunteers, led by Peter Lawrence and Michael Shields, developed 10 metrics that formed the core of a dashboard that officials said is easy to understand and will help people with similarities connect.

"One of our goals from the start has been to facilitate discussion and interaction among as many people as possible and give them a chance to participate in this project," Henry added.

NAPT members and non-members can register on the 3D website. After downloading a worksheet, compiling data and entering them into the system, users get immediate feedback with five free KPIs.

With the launch of the website, NAPT completed phase 1 of its 3D project. Association officials said that phase 2 is scheduled to begin next month.