As the number of kidnapping, theft, and accident cases is rising, parents are concerned about the safety of their kids, necessitating the need for school officials to monitor unlawful bus travel constantly. As a result, school buses are becoming more high-tech.
Tracking unauthorized trips:
Unauthorized visits to entry-restricted zones must be tracked by a system. The school bus tracking system, which also serves as a safety and security system, needs to be in place. It should have the following characteristics to control access to unrestricted areas:
- Alerts parents via a short message service when their children have safely arrived at home or school.
- RFID can be used to track children and their parents’ phone numbers, as well as to track attendance using a headcount system.
- GSM serves as a framework for communication that allows parents to receive SMS updates on their children’s whereabouts.
Has the hardware prototype undergone testing to verify that unauthorized bus trips or entering places where the entrance is prohibited?
Children’s identity, attendance, and SMS notifications to parents were all successfully tested using the hardware prototype. The tracking system was put on the bus; thus, the following examples show how monitoring was carried out using the bus tracking software:
Scenario 1: The bus driver threw the tracking device and drove the bus to a restricted area
Solution: The bus driver was tampering with the school bus tracking system while on the road as phones and other gadgets are updated with the software. The tracking device’s hardware was already on the bus. The driver flung it out the window and went the wrong way into an area with access restrictions. Real-time notification of the warning was sent to the control room, and it sent an alert to all neighboring police stations. The police and security personnel within that area were alerted and were doing their jobs to locate the bus. The bus was found shortly after, and the driver was handcuffed.
Scenario 2: This time the bus did not take the usual route and deviated which comes under unauthorized trips so how is this situation handled?
Solution: Through urgent SMS alerts and notifications, parents are instantly informed of critical information regarding bus delays, bus breakdowns, route diversions, unplanned bus stops, or emergency situations. In order to find out where the bus is, parents can obtain and evaluate real-time school bus routing data from several reports. In this instance, the parents and control room received a warning promptly, and the bus driver was called and informed of the issue. The control room verified the daily route and learned that due to an accident, the regular route couldn’t be taken. Therefore, the bus was instructed to take a different route. As a result, this was an unapproved trip. Although the driver didn’t choose the alternate route intentionally, immediate action was taken and the safety of students was maintained.
So, let’s see what features of the school bus tracking system can help in monitoring unauthorized trips into entry-restricted areas.
How does RFID help when a bus takes unauthorized trips into entry-restricted areas?
RFID stands for radio frequency identification, and it refers to a smart label that houses student data. With RFID, school districts can swiftly ascertain if a student has boarded or disembarked a bus. It helps to immediately identify route deviations and unapproved stops and also permits quick response.
The system recognizes the student each time he or she boards a bus thanks to the reader’s detection of the tag on their ID card. RFID technology is used to store information regarding student movement.
RFID readers can be installed at the entrance to classes, restricted areas, and schools to keep tabs on all student activities and ensure that they are safe and not getting up to any mischief. You’ll have a better sense of any changes if your transportation department keeps track of student ridership. Transportation management can modify routes based on their demands
Does the tracking program have a Google Maps interface to show where the bus is exactly?
The interface will show a Google Maps-based view. It is the main component of the application, and basic map control features like zooming, panning and mode switching are available. Additionally, users can view information about bus stops on the map.
Since it comes with a thorough map of the city, the primary use of this device is for navigation. However, there is a GPS tracking option that records every position of the gadget, and the user must load the tracks from the device to a computer with the right software to view the map, making it highly helpful in an emergency. In order for the parents to ensure the safety of their kids, they will be informed about the daily route and any changes on the route.
How much of a benefit does a timing feature have for monitoring unauthorized trips?
As the app has a timing feature that can keep track of how long it takes the user to complete a given trip. This information, such as the time the bus really arrives and how long it takes between stops, can be used as a guide for subsequent journeys. So, in case of taking an unauthorized trip, the alert will be sent soon.
Conclusion: It is vital to monitor unauthorized trips into entry-restricted areas, and a school bus tracking system has all the features to do so. This system will notify you of any suspicious activity on the way and keep the kids secure. This is a simple and reliable approach to increasing parents’ satisfaction.
It will also bring peace of mind to parents and the school authorities as mishaps can be avoided to a great extent. Convenience is only a mobile app away thanks to modern GPS technology and every hand holding a smartphone.
