Tracking school buses have never been this easy. What once was a complicated task can now easily be a part of your daily routine. A lot of people concerned about safety, security and real-time information are opting to use GPS trackers. Be it for school bus fleet management or some other tracking purpose for your SME, an efficient and dependable school bus tracking system is the answer to a lot of your problems.
In spite of all the advantages that one gets, questions still arise about the applicability of such technology on a large scale. GPS tracking systems are not 100% fool proof, but it sure can help with some of the problems that currently exist in the transportation industry. From saving fuel and reducing maintenance to from keeping your buses safe and helping in easy documentation, GPS trackers can help you move forward with your business with minimum trouble.
Though there are numerous queries about this technology, the most frequently asked by adopters are the ones mentioned below:
1. Will it cost me a lot?
This is one of the most commonly asked and most easily answerable questions. The cost of GPS tracking systems has been considerably reduced from what it used to be when it first came into the limelight. With the advancement in technologies such as microchips and integrated circuits, the GPS systems, which were once of the military grade has now become available to the public.
Installation of a GPS system is especially useful in the long run. It could be useful, especially when it comes to fuel and maintenance. A vehicle installed with a dependable GPS tracking system can have its routes optimized. Optimization reduces the travelling distance as well as time. This helps in fuel and maintenance reduction. Moreover, drivers can be alerted about potential traffic blocks in an area, hence allowing them to take alternate routes. Thereby the system helps save precious time. So, a GPS system helps save not only money, but also time.
2. How often will I get updates?
A GPS tracker works on the principle of global positioning. It has around 27 satellites transmitting data 24/7. Hence the time between an event occurring and knowing about it, is practically zero. This real-time data transmitting system keeps you updated regularly. In some systems, provisions are given to the user to send messages to the device in order to get the latest updates. The asset’s location, speed, height and various other aspects can be known in real-time.
3. Will climatic changes affect GPS tracking?
A GPS tracker is a satellite based system and is capable of working under most weather conditions. The principle behind the working of a GPS tracker satellite is line of sight. For receiving the accurate position of an asset the device must be in line or visible to 3 or more satellites simultaneously. This can be a serious issue when it comes to heavy cloud cover, as this line of sight is broken. This could mount to error in detection and triangulation of the assets location.
Error can also be caused by non-weather conditions such as a vehicle moving in a city with tall buildings or near a forest area with tall trees, which could obstruct the line of site. Despite this there is no alternative method of tracking assets that could equally match the capabilities of a GPS tracker.
4. How will I know if something went wrong?
GPS tracking systems are the proposed solution to avoid the involvement of school buses in rising road accidents. When an unchartered event takes place during a bus trip, the GPS device installed in the school bus sends a message to the concerned person. The message could be in the form of an SMS or GPRS. Some GPS companies also have school bus tracking apps, which alerts parents and schools if something out of the ordinary happens. The abnormal events could be the school bus taking a wrong route or unnecessary engine idling or even unscheduled stops.
5. Does this mean I have to sit in front of a computer all day?
This is another question that is frequently asked and the answer to it is, “No”. While in the case of most GPS tracking systems, you have to sit in front of a computer all day, a user friendly GPS system does all your work for you. Detection of abnormal events and notification is done as it occurs. With an efficient school bus tracking app installed in your hand-held portable device, you can keep an eye out for the assets on the go. You don’t have to be in an office room in front of your desktop or laptop. You could be in a bus holding a smart-phone or some other easy to carry device.
As said before, this is not a 100% perfect system. It comes with its shortcomings and glitches. But when it comes to tracking valuable assets, a GPS tracking system is one of the most efficient, dependable and easy to use device till date.