TSB Super Admin, Author at trackschoolbus

How to Track Students During a School Excursion

Posted on July 25, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

Few school-related activities generate the kind of enthusiasm and lifelong memories than a school excursion. But well-planned excursions provide new learning to students that they cannot get through textbooks alone. However, the mere thought of a school excursion strikes fears into many teachers’ hearts. It has the potential to create nightmares for them.

If you, as a teacher, have ever taken children on an excursion, you would have experienced it. The most terrifying experience is often one or a couple of students getting lost during the excursion. The aim of this post is to provide you with different options you can consider to keep track of the students during a school excursion.

Having said that here are a few options you can make use of to keep track of your students during the excursion:

#1: Create Chaperone Groups

When creating chaperone groups, it is best to maintain a ratio of 15:1 for upper primary and high school students. The ratio should be lower for primary students. Further, you must plan the groups in a strategic manner. The attention seeking behaviour of a student that causes a lot of trouble in the school would only increase when you take him/her on a trip.

If it is possible, you can ask one of the child’s parents to chaperone. Whenever you take a break, a teacher chaperone is a better option than a parent chaperone when it comes to taking care of challenging students.

However, it is important to prepare the chaperones well. The names of all the students in a group and their mobile phone numbers, if allowed, should be available with each chaperone.

Further, you must ensure that each chaperone has the emergency contact number saved on their mobile phone. The chaperones should be briefed on student behaviour expectations and sensitized to immediately report any violations.

#2: Emergency Bracelets

You can provide each chaperone and student with a wearable silicone bracelet. The emergency contact number can either be printed or written using a permanent marker on the bracelet. There are a number of vendors out there in the market who could provide silicone bracelets for a paltry amount.

If you are taking the help of a professional student excursion organizer, the company will most likely provide a bracelet for each participant with the emergency contact number printed on it.

When working with professional student excursion organizers, calls to the emergency contact number will always be answered by a representative of the company. He or she will then contact you.

If you are organizing the excursion on your own, you should identify a person who could be contacted in the event of an emergency. The emergency contact person should have the names and mobile phone numbers of all the chaperones and students.

#3: T-shirts

It is a good idea to make your students use same colour t-shirts when you go on an excursion. This is very helpful when travelling with large numbers of kids, especially to popular places. It can be visually very helpful at the time of gathering the students. Custom printed and bright coloured t-shirts that are best for the group can be sourced to help simplify your life.

#4: Re-count

Chaperones should be made responsible for counting their group members. Then a leader in the bus should be given the responsibility of re-counting to double check. This is because a student can always sneak into a bathroom near the exit after the final count at the lobby. So, counting again when seated on the bus always helps.

You can actually make counting a fun activity. If you are on a multi-day excursion, you can assign a number to each student from the back of the bust to the front. Students can call out their numbers instead of the leader doing a head count. It is so much fun and the re-counting gets done rather quickly.

#5: Buddy System

Each student should be asked to stick with a buddy throughout the excursion. This should include even waiting outside when one is using the bathroom. It is always better to have two students trying to determine as to how they lost track of the group than one panicky kid doing it alone. If there are odd numbers of student in a group, then it is a good idea to make three-member teams.

#6: Clearly Specify the Meeting Spot and Time

Choose a prominent location at the destination for reconvening after the visit. You should also clearly specify the time when the groups should assemble at the spot.

In order to make sure that the students remember the surroundings and time clearly, you can do the following:

You can ask them to look around the meeting spot to help them identify the area quickly. It is always better to meet near an entrance, a sign, or a colourful large object.
You can also ask the students to shout back or loudly repeat the name of the place and reconvening time at least thrice so that it gets ingrained in their minds.

#7: Make use of electronic reminders

If the chaperones and students are allowed to carry mobile phones, then you can remind the students by way of a text message.

#8: Set expectations clearly

A week before the excursion, the previous day, and just before getting out of the bus, you must make it a point to review behavioural expectations with your students. In addition to sounding serious, you must explain the consequences of improper behaviour.

Take the effort to ingrain in their minds that they are not only representing their school but also the community and that they put up their best behaviour at all times.

Check Out Excursion Management Software from TrackSchoolBus

In conclusion, taking the school students on an excursion is a responsible job. However, it can be a rewarding experience. Make use of some of the tracking options listed above as applicable in your specific situation. You will be better equipped to track students during a school excursion.

10 School Bus Safety Tips for Children [Infographic]

Posted on July 23, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

There are more than 23 million children, for whom school bus is the only of transportation for to and from schools. Some parents consider their own vehicles to pick and drop their children to schools, but most of the families prefer school bus due to their busy work schedules.

School buses are considered as the safest mode of transportation for school going children staying far away from children. It is a proven fact that opting school bus is thousand times safer than travelling in own vehicle.

When you consider school bus for your children, you worry about their safety which doesn’t have an end even if they get older. Usually children get excited on the bus. Being careless, running and turning around while getting on and off the bus can be dangerous. So it is essential to teach children regarding how to stay safe on the school bus.

It’s a fact that school buses are the safest mode for school going children to travel but still it can be dangerous if they act carelessly. If you are a parent or a teacher, it is your responsibility to teach kids about school bus safety tips.

For your help, we Trackschoolbus have mentioned few school bus safety tips in the form of infographic for children which they must follow for a safe journey.

11 Crucial Elements for Managing School Transport Effectively

Posted on July 20, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

Providing school transportation to students is an added advantage for parents these days as it takes care of the conveyance of children with a pick up and drop off point as well as time. It helps children as well as parents to get into a routine and reach school on time and safely. But on the other hand schools need to exercise caution when providing transportation for students.

Once the school starts to provide the facility of transportation to students, it thinks of responsibility for compliance with several regulations.

It takes responsibility of students’ safety in all conditions. They also become answerable for the condition of transport vehicle and must also have a system for customary inspections and for reporting defects in the vehicle.

Some of the below mentioned elements must be kept in mind and practiced by schools to manage school transport effectively.

1. Manage Bus Routes – The biggest challenge for the school transportation department is to come up with convenient, time-saving routes that cover all the students in a manner that is cost-effective, fuel efficient as well as time effective. The job is much more difficult than it sounds as preparing routes for multiple vehicles and ensuring that the routes don’t overlap or cause any confusion.

6 School Bus Auto Routing Features from TrackSchoolBus

2. Create Bus Stations – Another extremely important element of this procedure is to create convenient as well as accessible bus stations for all students. While creating bus stations, transportation department must keep in mind that they should be convenient for all students and also located at a place where it is safe for students to wait for the vehicle.

The bus station cannot be decided at a place that has heavy traffic or no waiting place as it will become inconvenient for students and parents who are supposed to drop them.

3. Manage Bus Timings – Managing bus timings is a vital step in managing school transportation as all the routes have to be decided keeping in mind the availability of vehicles.

The routes are supposed to be allotted to vehicles in a manner that each vehicle gets buffer time owing to technical problems or traffic delays. The buses are also supposed to be timed in a way that takes the least time during the time of its travel.

4. Create Fee slots – For schools to be able to manage the transportation it is necessary for it to be viable and feasible for them. The bus routes and timings must be decided keeping in mind the cost incurred for the same.

Fee slots must be created for different routes depending on the distance from the school and other important factors. Students must be categorized under different fee slots to ensure that the school is not incurring losses while providing transportation.

5. Allocate Routes to Students / Staff – The next step involves allocation of routes to staff members as well as students. Schools have to keep in mind that each vehicle has a similar student-teacher ratio or at least ensure that every vehicle has a minimum of two to three teachers, one of which stays in the vehicle till almost the end of the route. This is necessary to ensure the children safety and also helps make parents feel comfortable sending their children in school bus.

6. Manage Student Attendance – While talking about the student safety; it is also very essential to keep a head count of the student and also take a roll call/attendance before reaching the school and also after leaving the school.

The attendance helps cross-check the number of students boarding the bus. Schools must ensure this practice to ensure the safety of the children as they are responsible for their conveyance safety to and from school.

7. Ensure Student Safety – This point has been reiterated many times in this article as the safety of the children holds immense importance. The school takes full responsibility of children’s safety while providing them school transportation and therefore must keep a check on the condition of vehicles and speed of the vehicle as well. Schools must come out with great techniques to help track down children’s safety.

8. Track Bus Location – It is extremely important for the buses to be tracked down at all times. Schools must adopt techniques to track the vehicle and its staff at all times especially in emergency or mishaps.

9. Integration with GPS Device – One way schools can track down vehicle location is through GPS tracking device. The GPS tracking device is very efficient in tracking the location of bus, its speed and other relevant details.

This enables the school to stay informed about driver’s driving efficiency and condition of the vehicle. This can help them take a timely decision during the time of concern.

10. Generate Various Reports – Integration with the GPS tracking device can enable schools to take out various reports and compare details such as wear and tear of the vehicles, speed at which it is driven, etc. These reports help compare the efficiency of routes, timings and driving styles, enabling schools to come up with cost and time effective services for the students while also ensuring their safety.

11. Easy Record Search – School transportation must enable video surveillance as well. By enabling this feature the staffs responsible for conveyance also becomes alert and puts forth their best behaviour. It also helps control student behaviour and ensuring no unnecessary nuisance or quarrels.

The elements mentioned above hold equal importance when it comes to managing the school transport efficiently. As we all know it is a job that requires a high level of safety for children while incurring a high cost of accomplishment for the school.

10 Benefits to School Management in Tracking Their Vehicles

Posted on July 18, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

In the present times, with the advent in technology, the safety threats are also growing. The most vulnerable population, which is perhaps at the greatest risk of being exploited, is children. Most of the parents feel very anxious about their children when they are out of their homes.

Schools therefore must be extra careful, and ensure that their students are safe. Vehicle tracking systems help in the efficient management of the school resources and reduce the financial burden of the school management. The documentation process and the accountability off drivers are also enhanced. Installing tracking systems therefore is a one-time investment, which prevent future costs and yield a number of advantages.

How Vehicle Tracking System Works?

Vehicle tracking systems connect the vehicles with software that map their movement, their condition and the events inside the vehicle. These are normally attached to maps, which give the driver information about the routes and the traffic conditions. They record and monitor every movement of the vehicle, and give feedback.

This information, once recorded can be downloaded, and if there is an aberration, immediate notification can be sent to the cell phone of the responsible authority. A misconception is that an elaborate setup is needed to install these systems. However, these systems can be installed in any vehicle and information or notifications can be obtained on any cell phone via the internet.

These systems also present the information in such a way so as to enable easy comprehension and effective presentation. It is a very promising system that can be regarded as the modern day boon as far as the security of the child is concerned.

The following are the specific benefits of using this system to school managements.

The Benefits of Using This System to the School Management Body are:

Increased security

Tracking vehicles can help the school management to ensure the safety and security of their students. One of the major reasons that parents prefer school bus is to ensure safety. Installing tracking devices in vehicles will help the management and parents to be more confident in this regard. The whereabouts of the students in the bus can be known, and in case of an accident or any unforeseen circumstance, the school and the parents both will get informed.

Saves time

One of the most obvious benefits of tracking vehicles by the school management is that it helps save time. It would prevent useless loitering by the driver. The parents can be offered the additional benefit of tracking the vehicles and knowing their time of reaching a particular point. This might lead to more parents choosing school bus for their children.

Decreases costs

A derivative of prevention of loitering is that it might decrease the costs of fuel. Another benefit is that, if a GPS system is installed, it can help the driver know the shortest route, and thus save time and fuel.

Monitoring the driver

It helps in monitoring the behavior of driver by tracking sharp turns, over speeding, sudden breaks etc. This increases safety and accountability. Documentation can also help in dealing with false accusations. The driver will also be more vigilant if he/she knows that the vehicle is being tracked, and reckless behavior might be documented and might lead to punishment. It also gives feedback to the driver as to how he/she can improve her/his driving, thus helping in training.

Sending information to parents can be easier

The parents can be informed if any delays in the bus or any changes in the schedule of the bus. If a child, gets down at the wrong station, or does not board the bus the parents can be notified immediately, thus maximizing the safety of every child.

Better management

Vehicle tracking system can help the school in managing its vehicles in a more orderly manner. It can effectively be known when a child has to be picked up from home, and at what time will they reach school. This is because the traffic conditions and road blockages can be known in advance and better routes can be opted for.

Maintenance of buses

Managements that install vehicle tracking systems can get the real estimate of the condition of their vehicles. This means that they can know in advance if the vehicle requires any repair work and can then act accordingly. The nature and extent of damage can also be known. Action can be taken before the condition of the bus worsens, thus preventing greater costs and the risk of accidents.

Monitoring behavior inside the buses

Installation of tracking facilities and cameras inside the bus helps the management to track the activities inside the bus. This prevents bullying, ragging or misbehavior by the driver. This ensures safety of the students and increases accountability.

Locate vehicles

Tracking systems can enable the management to locate the vehicles. Locating vehicles which are free and can help the management in assigning tasks to these vehicles, thus reducing the “idle time” of the vehicles and optimizing utilization.

Reduce documentation

The tracking systems record and save all details like the distance travelled, the fuel consumed the schedules of vehicles etc. These details, therefore, do not have to be mapped manually and labor time and costs can be made more efficient. The presentation of these details can also be improved and made more comprehensible. The management based on this data can make better decisions and improvements as well as downfalls can be charted.

Therefore, to conclude, vehicle tracking system is a very viable mechanism for the school management.

How TrackSchoolBus App Improves Bus Attendant’s Efficiency

Posted on July 16, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

Like other employees, bus attendants are also subjected to different kinds of training for the work. The preparation is for ensuring their acquaintance is current with the safety and others types of processes. It is the responsibility of the bus attendants to ensure the students reach their school and home safely. They are also accountable for knowing the common area where their school bus stops as well as for getting familiar with the traffic rules.

TrackSchoolBus App Efficiency

When a bus attendant collects the attendance information of the school students manually, there is a chance for the occurrence of errors. These errors can be easily overcome by making use of TrackSchoolBus Attendant app. The app will not only cover the attendance of all students, but it will simplify the process, as well.

This TrackSchoolBus app will also aid bus attendants in taking school bus attendance in a hassle-free way. The app has all the essential features to make the entire work process of school attendant a breeze.

Features

Usually, a school administrator can come across two major problems. The first one is ensuring the student safety in school bus. The second concern is the capable administration of their school bus fleet.

Therefore, it becomes the personal responsibility of school administrators to deal with these two concerns in an effective manner. Choosing an efficient school bus tracking app having bounty of beneficial features is the only way to address these concerns.

Some of these features include:

1. It is designed to work well with all mobile devices with the latest operating systems.

3. Easy and safe to use.

4. It has several other features, such as attendance, tracking, as well as with many other beneficial features to improve efficiency of the bus attendants.

5. The console of our school bus attendant app will aid attendants significantly in taking the attendance of students in a stress-free way.

Moreover, the app helps attendant to solve daily attendance related issues like unnecessary waiting for students, marking attendance, reach the bus stop on time etc.

Above all, in absences of a school bus attendant, the driver can take the student attendance boarding the school bus. The entire process will become more scheduled and organized to the minute detail.

Some of the other notable features that improve the efficiency of a bus attendant include:

School bus attendants will be capable of running a planned or an immediate trip effortlessly. They have no need to remember the routes, students’ pickup point as well as the drop points. The app will provide the attendant with all the required details.
Attendants can find the next stop immediately, along with the contact details, address, as well as the child’s image.
A school bus attendant will be capable of assigning new pickup and drop stages easily and quickly.
Both pick up and drop points can be easily updated or customized if there is any relocation.
Every trip gets included in the trip history of the app automatically, as soon as the trip is confirmed.
Bus attendants will get directions for the total trip and they can view the location priority of the pickup-point in Google maps.
The TrackSchoolBus app will provide attendants with the navigation facility, together with planned route and it will guide for deviations with audio alerts.
Attendants can easily note the boarded and missed students easily and effectively.
The announcement feature of the bus attendant software allows school bus attendants to receive vital messages. They will also get voice instructions from their authorities.

Another important feature that makes the bus attendants work more efficiently is that the details of both pick up as well as drop of students will appear on the screen. Moreover, the absence of the students will be automatically updated. Bus attendants can know the subsequent pickup points of students, as the next bus stop will be visible on the screen and who are all going to get in or get down of the bus.

Bus attendants can constantly keep an eye on the kids to ensure their safety. Additionally, they will get necessary instructions from their school authorities to work in an efficient way.

Another helpful feature of the app that allows attendants to work efficiently is the chat facility. They can chat with the school authorities or with the parents of students regarding the present situation of kids and school bus.

The school bus attendant will be capable of focusing greatly on the student’s board at every pickup point. If any kid has slept in her or his seat, and if the attendant does not notice it, the app will not allow completing the trip and show ‘students still inside the bus’ message on the screen. This will allow the attendants to ensure the student boarding accurately.

Above all, TrackSchoolBus school bus attendant app is safe to use because school authorities and transport manager have the control over their entire fleet even though they are moving. It’s not just a tracking solution for schools; it is the complete package to manage the fleet and users, ensure the safety of students and provides a tension free situation for the parents.

20 Ways to Introduce School Bus Safety

Posted on July 13, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

School buses are the safest mode of transportation for students to travel to and from their schools. The safety of school buses starts with recruiting qualified drivers and offering them the required training on traffic regulations and on handling the buses safely. School districts should make them understand their responsibility in transporting the school students safely to and from their schools.

Drivers also play an important role in ensuring school bus safety. So while choosing school bus driver, you must be very careful and selective. This is the most vital factor that every school district is supposed to consider while focusing on their school bus safety.

Here are the other 20 ways that a school management can focus on improving the safety of their school buses.

1. Speed Restriction

The transportation division of every school should instruct their drivers not to drive their school bus beyond the specified speed limit. This can be monitored easily by installing a GPS tracking system on their school buses.

2. Unoccupied back seats

If possible, the last two seat rows at the back of the bus can be made empty. This will keep kids free of wounds due to back collisions.

3. Three-Bus Rule

This means that the bus attendant should allow three students at a time for boarding their buses. This practice is particularly important at traffic-prone bus stops. This is because kids are more susceptible to be wounded while getting in and getting out of bus in these areas.

5. Signal

School bus drivers are supposed to signal school kids when the time is safe and suitable for them to cross the road while boarding their buses. Parents should also educate their kids on crossing the road safety.

6. Turning Techniques

School administration should educate their drivers on handling their buses safely during the bends to avoid kids falling down from their seats. This will also prevent the bus from knocking down the oncoming vehicles.

7. Clean floor

School districts should emphasize their bus drivers to keep the floor of the bus clean. This will prevent kids from skidding and being wounded.

8. Seating

Both bus attendants and drivers should ensure that the school kids are appropriately seated. This means that they should check that no part of the kids’ body is projecting the seating aisle.

9. Safe bus stops

School bus drivers have to take utmost care in bus stops where no cars or other vehicles are parked. This can be hazardous not only for students but also for drivers.

10. Distraction

The maximum safety of school bus mainly counts on continuing focused and staying away from disruptions. If students come across any problems in the bus, the driver should first resolve those problems to avoid unnecessary distractions while driving the bus.

12. Safety rules

Communicating the school bus regulations with kids, particularly new occupants, is the key to preserve an organized, safe setting on and around the school bus.

13. School bus backing

School bus drivers should take utmost care while backing their buses. If necessary, they should examine the road in front for any condition that might cause them to back. This can avoid accidental clash with the vehicle standing behind their school bus.

14. Escorting kids

School bus students are more susceptible when they are outside the bus, mostly when they have to cross the road. In such cases, school bus attendants or drivers should escort kids across the road to ensure safety.

15. Driver responsibility

Drivers should drive their school buses with the maximum responsibility. They should communicate with their transport manager whenever there are changes in the road or bus stops.

16. Tipping the drivers

School administrators are supposed to offer useful and helpful tips to their drivers every morning on driving their buses safely. This will remind them about overall school bus safety.

17. Bullying

Bullying is one of the things happens in the school bus. This is because school kids are more vulnerable to bullying when they are in the bus rather than outside. So, to avoid these, school districts should educate bus staff on how to handle these situations in a well manner.

18. Bus check

Both the attendants and drivers should check their school bus whether any kid is still inside the bus after the completion of trip. Therefore, the best way to avoid this problem is marking attendance of kids when they enter and exit their bus.

19. Safety Vests

School management should instruct the school bus drivers and attendants to wear the reflective security vests. This will allow them to perk up protection in school bus lots.

20. Evacuation training

School administration should offer necessary training to their school bus students on the way to evacuate their school buses if any untoward incident happens. This is important for the elementary level students.

GPS Trackers Vs Bluetooth Trackers – Which is More Beneficial

Posted on July 11, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

As a tracking device, a GPS device is really useful in a vehicle. It could really highlight about position of vehicle, its movements, and location. Immensely fruitful in recording the location, the data gets stored in the tracking unit. It could also get transmitted to a central location database. It is even more helpful through its connection to internet that ultimately could get inserted to mobile devices and used as SMS and GPRS.

Bluetooth tracking came into existence with the evolution of Bluetooth low energy technology. As the technology developed leaps and bounds, Bluetooth tracker was ultimately available as an invention in technology. The tracker is available with a stable connection and little consumption of power.

A Comparative Analysis

Price – When it comes to price, Bluetooth trackers are comparatively cheaper. GPS trackers are costlier and those are available with added subscription fees. The cost of a GPS tracker could vary according to the coverage plan that the user needs. But the Bluetooth trackers do not require any additional fees.

Connection range – GPS tracker always has a constant connection and it could give an updated location at any time. But the Bluetooth trackers could only operate within the maximum range of 200 feet. Such trackers rely most on the strength of the Bluetooth signal between the tracker and the device.

Battery life – Most of the Bluetooth trackers require only small amount of power consumption. Only a few amongst them are available with replaceable batteries. The rest of the Bluetooth trackers have only lifespan of one year and those require replacement after that. But some of the companies give discounted renewal programs after that. In comparison to this, GPS trackers have more power consumption, although those are rechargeable and last maximum up to 3 days.

Sound Alerts – Most of the Bluetooth trackers begin ringing, when the users begin looking for them, using their phones. The users could also put those to use by making their missing phones ring. This gives you the privilege to find the exact location of the device, while making a search in the vicinity. But GPS trackers do not come usually with sound alerts but those having sound alerts included have a higher range of price.

Geofencing – GPS trackers could allow the user to establish more than one area, where he/she could get important notification about the activity of the tracker. Bluetooth trackers are confined to tracking when the user is in the range of the Bluetooth signal. The trackers could send notification when the user is in or out of Bluetooth connection range. As the signal is discontinuous, which could at times take place; even the users keep the tracker and device next to each other.

Community help – All the Bluetooth trackers come with community help. Through this facility, the user could ask other tracker users for help when the Bluetooth gets disconnected. The GPS trackers do not give community help as the user gets the continuous connection to either your device or to an external device.

Dimensions – Bluetooth trackers are available in the shapes of coins and those could even be thinner than a credit card. The basic idea behind manufacturing them is to keep them attached to key rings and wallet without the intention of adding any extra weight to the user’s regular necessities. The integrated technology with them could make them depend on the user’s signal from the Bluetooth and hardware inside the devices.

The intention of the manufacturer is to make it lighter to give it a long life. The GPS trackers are bulkier in their sizes as those have more technology and options for recharging inside and for this, the devices need more spaces to accommodate everything. Although, smaller ones are available, those are also comparatively heavier. Though, the manufacture’s idea is to place more capabilities inside such devices, GPS trackers are a little heavier to get carried inside pockets.

Life of the Battery – Both Bluetooth tracker and GPS are rechargeable devices. Life of battery mainly depends on the use by the users. With careful use, the batteries could have really longer lives.

Which one is better- A GPS or Bluetooth?

A Bluetooth tracker gives its best performance in limited and everyday work spheres. For example, if the user is not able to find his/her key, wallet, or cell-phone which is really tough to find, the Bluetooth t racker could really connect to the phone and notify the user about its present location. If the user loses his/her key, the tracking app could help the user to locate it. It would intimate about the last known location. The user could simply go to the location and ring the item to know the exact location.

To add to it, a GPS tracker fits best in bigger and open areas and the user is not exactly familiar with the places. For example, if the user has lost its costly camera and he/she does not remember the exact place, he/she could track it via app would show the exact location of the camera. The user of the camera could retrieve it at any point of time.

As the data gets transmitted through satellites in space, the device would stop notifying about the exact location as soon as the tracker gets close to the lost item within 10 meters due to bad weather. The same could also happen inside a building where internet or tracking facility simply stops functioning.

As both the devices have their specific uses, it is definitely a wiser decision to make combined use of both of them. While tracking has existed in the last decades, excellence in technology could bring in advanced applications in tracking technology. As it has now multiple uses, both Bluetooth and GPS could give combined benefits in every field of search activity.

10 Top Wearable GPS Tracking Devices for Kid Safety

Posted on July 9, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

Modern-day parents experience many challenges, among which the toughest one is ensuring the safety of their school-going kids or when they are out of their sight. When children grow, they may eager to explore, drive limitations, and may create their own set of laws.

However, the wearable GPS trackers for kids will allow parents overcome the challenges easily. Whether your kid is at an amusement park, on a family outing, or on a school tour, these devices will offer you a peace of mind in knowing that they are safe.

Here is the list of 10 top wearable GPS tracking devices to ensure your kids' safety.

1. AngelSense Kids GPS Tracker

This GPS tracker for kids from AngelSense comes with a bounty of features, ranging from security-area setup to quickest updates. This is the best monitoring device for parents, particularly for those having kids with autism or with other disabilities, who may often get lost.

This tracker offers the necessary protection to such kids and serenity to their parents. The Listen-In function feature of the device allows parents to track their child’s daily activity, guaranteeing their disabled kids are not neglected, ill-treated, or lost.

2. hereO 2 GPS Watch for Kids

Even though kids' GPS trackers are available in all sizes and shapes, this GPS Watch for Kids is a perfect companion for them as far as their safety is concerned. This aesthetically designed kid's tracking device comes with a range of vivacious colors, which will definitely attract the fashion sense of your child, so they will wear this device throughout the day with the greatest interest.

As it comes with a slim design, it will offer a comfortable fit to your kid's hands. This tracking device comes with proximity alerts, location history, safety-zone setup, and other beneficial features. Thus, you can rest guaranteed that your kids would be in a safe condition wherever they go.

3. AmbyGear Smartwatch

This Smartwatch from AmbyGear will create an interest in your kids to wear it throughout the day. This is because it will keep your kids busy all through the day with fun games, besides allowing them to learn activities. The tracking watch will reward your kids with points and optimistic reinforcement whenever they do something right. This wearable tracker will also allow your children to track you. This feature will be quite helpful whenever your kids feel scared or panicked.

4. Weenect Kids GPS Child Tracker

Weenect designs this kids GPS child-tracking device with sophisticated tracking abilities. It comes equipped with a live atlas, compass, as well as with the distance countdown trailing. This allows the device to offer supreme location precision, which, in turn will offer the required serenity to the parents. Besides a panic button, security region setup, and both-way calling facilities, this tracking device has the ability to cover all the essentials to make your kids feel safe.

5. My Buddy Tag Bluetooth Wristband

Usually, kids will feel a great pleasure when they are in pools, but simultaneously, it will also make them drown sometimes. In this situation, the role of Tag Bluetooth Wristband from My Buddy appears. This tracking device will aid you considerably in tracking your kid when he or she is out of your sight.

The unique feature of this tracking device is its warning system. This system will warn your kids when the wristband is submerged in the water for five successive seconds. It will send out a warning, assisting to keep your child safe when he or she is playing in the pool.

6. Amber Alert GPS Locator

Every parent would strive to keep their kids safe in all scenarios, but they cannot predict everything. Occasionally, some unforeseen happens, so during these troublesome situations, the kid GPS tracker from Amber Alert can aid substantially in lessening the odds of troublesome scenarios.

This tracking device comes with imposing features, such as place tracking, warnings, and speed discovery. It will assist you to monitor the whereabouts of your kid at all times. It can even tap into database of the National Sex Offender to display whether your kid is inside 500 feet of a sex criminal. Thus, you will be capable of preventing a crime potentially earlier than it happens.

7. GizmoPal 2 Kids GPS Watch

Although little ones are the major part of the life of every parent, unfortunately, they cannot be with their kids at all times. Your children will have their own life, ranging from the daycare to the after-school actions. This GPS Watch from GizmoPal will allow your kids to keep in contact with you, even when they are out of your sight. This kids tracker come with the uncomplicated functionality and design, allowing younger children to know precisely what keys they have to press if they want to contact you.

8. KiGO Watch

Losing a kid is a scary experience for every parent and it is the worst terrifying experience, as well. Unlike other wearable GPS trackers that work only in home, this wearable tracker from KiGO offers parents to track their kids abroad. As it comes with the small and frivolous design, it will offer a comfortable fit to your kids. You can also feel comfortable while allowing your kid going to the places of their interest with 100% confidence.

9. dokiWatch

The dokiWatch allows kids to get that exciting experience, as it comes equipped with an incorporated camera and video calling abilities. This simplifies the job of parents to monitor their kids, irrespective of the distance they are located. The device comes with a safety feature, known as SOS. When your kids activate this feature, the device will send you emergency notifications as well as the recordings of the surroundings of your kid.

10. TickTalk Touch Screen Kids Wearable Tracker

TickTalk is a two-in-one mobile phone that comes incorporated with the kid locator. This smartphone is easy to use by all and the highlight of this tracking device is its kid-friendly calling interface. It will allow your kids to operate easily whenever they need the help of their parents. This kid tracker supports text as well as voice messages. It is a comfortable wearable tracking device to know whether your kids are in their classroom or on their playground.

Top 10 Amazing School Bus Security Features in 2018

Posted on July 6, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

Buying a school bus that comes with a bounty of safety features will not only help school administrators to perform their tasks more efficient, but also offer the highest level of safety to kids and the peace of mind to their parents. School buses are constructed in a unique way that differs from other commercial buses to offer a high visibility to students and their parents.

They also come incorporated with many security features, including cross-view mirrors, flashing red lights, and stop-sign arms. They do come equipped with high crush standards, protective seating, and rollover safety features, as well, by keeping the safety of kids in mind.

Here are the 10 vital safety features that a school bus is supposed to have.

1. Airbags

Airbags play a vital part in offering better safety to kids traveling in a school bus. They could lessen in-bus wounds during the situation of side collisions. A school bus should come equipped with adequate number of airbags to prevent school students from getting wounds due to crashing into the bus sides during the occasion of a disastrous mishap.

2. Comfortable seats

Seating systems is another main feature to consider when comes to school bus security. Spacious and comfortable seats that come with the reclining feature will prevent students from falling down while they are traveling.

Moreover, seats that come equipped with the padded armrest will offer a comfortable grip to kids while the bus comes across bends, likewise, an adequately padded headrest will offer the necessary safety to their necks when they lie back.

These are the most essential features to protect kids in the event of a mishap. These advanced features include correcting their flexibility to keep them compartmentalized and at the same time offering a soft support to reduce neck or head trauma. This means that the interior of school buses protects kids without needing them to buckle up.

3. Shoulder and lap belts

Bus seats that come attached with shoulder and lap belts will offer better security to the school students. Every day kids start with a journey in a school bus between their home and school.

Therefore, every school bus should come equipped with safer seat belts to offer a firmer sitting position to kids while they are traveling. This will prevent them from falling front when the driver stops the bus suddenly. This will guarantee the safest journey for kids, as well.

4. Speed

As a school bus is boarded by both younger and grown-up kids, driving the bus with a reasonable speed ensures the maximum safety to the school students. By no means, the driver should go beyond the posted speed boundary. Slowing down the bus on icy or wet roads will prevent the bus from skidding, thereby, offering better security to kids inside the bus.

5. Tire Pressure

School administrators should check the pressure of the tires of their school buses regularly. They should inspect the bus tires and verify their pressure prior to each use. A bus’s tire, including the spare one, has to be inflated properly and the tread of tires should not be in a damaged condition.

Badly worn or inappropriately inflated tires can show the way to a vehicle control loss and may lead to a bus rollover. Pressure for the back and front tires should be different, and it should be higher than that of the car tires.

6. Spares

The school bus should always be equipped with adequate amount of vital spares to overcome any unforeseen break down. Sometimes, tires may be punctured or exploded, the radiator may experience a minor fault, or the bus may need some minor repairs to proceed further.

Having a spare tire in stock as well as some vital tools to fix minor problems will ensure the safety of school students that will make them reach their home and school on time.

7. Occupancy

The school buses should not be overloaded at any cost. It will not only make kids feel uncomfortable but the bus will be more susceptible to meet with accidents, as well. Driving the bus with the permitted load of students will allow drivers to have better control over their driving capability, thus, the safety of kids is ensured.

8. Cargo

If a school bus happens to be loaded with cargo, it should be positioned forward of the back axle. Overloading bus with excess cargo or placing the loads on its roof should be avoided at all cost to ensure the maximum safety to school students. School administrators are supposed to refer the owner manual for allowing the maximum weight of cargo and school students to decide the towing ability of school bus.

9. Size

Every school bus is supposed to come with sufficient space that should be wider than that of the usual commercial buses to maneuver easily. The bus should also come with extra dependence on the side-view mirrors intended for changing lanes.

10. School bus tracking apps

Installing the best school bus tracking software in every bus will not only aid school administrators to handle their everyday bus operations easily and safely. They will also offer the required security to students and the peace of mind to their parents in knowing that their kids are traveling safely in school bus.

Most apps come with GPS facility, as well, which allows school administrators as well as parents to track their school buses. Moreover, the notifications feature of these school bus tracking apps will send appropriate warnings to the school management and parents during emergencies.

Conclusion

It is a rapid-moving moment for school bus expertise, and many interesting thoughts are being put forward. School districts are supposed to be shrewd to have a constant watch on the technology trends. They should look for opportunities to develop their in-bus safety while the price drops by keeping the safety of school students in mind.

Top 15 School Bus Tracking Apps in 2022

Posted on July 4, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

School bus tracking systems make use of GPS, RFID, mobile apps, and Internet technologies. In fact, tracker apps are also very helpful in reducing not only the anxiety of parents but also that of the school authorities.

As such, it is important that concerned authorities install a school bus app to primarily ensure the safety of children and peace of mind for parents. Of course, the security and privacy norms have to be strictly adhered to prevent misuse or breach of data.

There are a number of school bus tracking apps that enable school administrators and parents to be continuously updated on the whereabouts of the children. In this post we have listed the top 15 School bus tracking apps of 2019, they are

1. Track School Bus

An excellent app which enables communication between parents, administrators, and drivers, it has interesting features such as video surveillance and a fleet manager module.

This app stands out because it offers a lot of functions. It is priced much lower than that of competitor programs. The app offers access to the administrators, parents, fleet managers, drivers, and school administrators.

The track school bus app provides parents with more control as they can contact school authorities or the bus drivers to inform about the absence of their child.

They can also change the pick-up and drop off points at any time. Further, they can track attendance, timings, bus-stops, and speed of the bus.

The administrators can also communicate with drivers and parents as frequently as they want. They have access to the database that contains information such as students in each bus, route map with all stops, etc.

On the other hand, the school bus drivers have access to the modules that provide information such as students in each bus, bus stops in each route, the speed of the bus, and those that enable them to send/receive communications to and from parents.

The audio system installed in the bus can be linked to the app to make announcements. Moreover, video surveillance enables the driver to check student behavior in the bus.

Transport managers are also benefitted because of this app. It allows them to monitor all the buses in the fleet, re-organize routes, and be able to communicate with the drivers. In addition, they receive notifications regarding traffic congestions and accidents.

School-Transport-Software--Ensure-enhanced-student-safety

2. Buswhere

This school bus app is not only easy to set up but also to use. It automatically tracks the school buses when the routes are changed. The app provides parents with detailed information as regards the school bus and routes, all with the help of an interactive map.

Further, parents are alerted as the bus nears the stop. They are notified if there is a change in route or the time of arrival at the stop. This reliable app helps a great deal in reducing the workload of the school staff.

School and vehicle administrators are given access to the Fleet Map. This map gives the administrators detailed information about factors such as fuel levels, current speed and location, and the current route of the bus.

3. Treker

This app is designed to function like a communication tool that can be used by the driver of the bus, the parents and the school administrators. The parents get to know the time when the child is boarded or alighted from the bus, the time of departure of the bus and its arrival times.

The portal for school administrators helps them to track the bus location and view every bus stop on a map. They can send alerts to parents in case of emergencies. Drivers’ portal which contains student lists with all details.

The app provides a beacon for students using Bluetooth (BLE). This is useful in letting administrators, parents, and drivers know as to when a student enters or exits the bus.

The information transmitted to and from the beacon is secure and encrypted to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding the bus, ensuring high levels of security.

4. Here Comes The Bus

This is a very popular app when it comes to school bus location sharing. This platform has two main sections. The basic section gives information to parents about the bus location and actual time of its arrival or departure.

The second is the Student Ridership section which tracks whether the student is present inside the bus and the stop at which they entered/exited the bus. This is accomplished through RFID or barcode readers.

Students’ ID cards are scanned during boarding and descending. The GPS device pinpoints the exact location and notifies the school and parents in case of an anomaly.

5. Tripspark Education

This School Bus Transport Software package (K-12) is a school bus location sharing program. This software platform provides scheduling and routing solutions with the help of a calendar for better efficiency.

Another feature of this software is that it records student absence and accordingly suspends transportation for the period of absence. K-12 is programmed to treat students with special needs in a safe and careful manner and routes them so that they are required to spend only less time on the bus.

6. Ubica Bus

This application comes with an array of features that help parents track the school bus. They will be alerted at the time of pick-ups and drop-offs. School announcements are sent directly to parents.

GPS tracking, route optimization, distance, and time are some of the aspects that help school administrators to manage the fleet of buses they operate. Tracking of student attendance, driver timesheets, and video surveillance greatly help to reduce the man-hours required for school bus fleet management.

Another interesting feature offered by this app is that it allows a Wi-Fi router to be fitted to each school bus. The availability of the Internet while commuting in the school bus can be very exciting to the students and this can lead to more children opting to use the school buses.

7. School Bus Tracker

In addition to the main feature of providing real-time GPS location of buses, the app also serves as a tool to send children’s school reports to parents.

In addition, it allows parents to request last minute changes to the time of pick up and drop off. Drivers receive notification if the child is sick and can re-route the school along the way if required.

8. Trace School Bus

Trace School Bus has many different portals that can be used by the school, parents, and drivers. The platform for schools allows for comprehensive monitoring of the entire system and communication with the guardians.

Parents get real-time updates on bus locations and can know when a bus will arrive at the specified stop. The driver app helps to communicate with administrators and also gives them information about the routes

9. Bus Tracking System from Applane

This software package comes with a number of features. A powerful parent app provides the location of the bus, displays pick up and drop timings, and enables communication with the drivers.

This allows for picking up or dropping off a child at the next closest stop if required. Integration using RFID enables parents to track their wards’ attendance.

The CCTV integrated into the system helps to keep a check on student discipline and on driver behavior. Administrators receive notifications in emergency situations

10. Smart-School-Bus-Tracking from ADCC

This app offers real-time bus location features that help parents and forms a powerful communication platform for bus drivers.

Parents get to view the route being followed by the bus, driver details, starting time and ending time of trips, and vehicle speed, among other things.

The module meant for administrators can send automated alerts if the bus driver violates traffic rules.

The app enables all the buses of the fleet to be surveyed at all times and routes followed can be viewed using an interactive diagram.

Drivers receive detailed instructions for each and every route. Further, they can report student misbehavior by capturing live photographs and sending them directly to administrators

11. MyBusVue

The MyBusVue school bus tracking software offers features such as the real-time location of the bus just like other programs. However, it is a secure app wherein the parents have to register and create an account before logging in.

The Z-Pass rider scans and records as when a child gets on board and off the bus. In addition, the platform comes in web and mobile versions. For the school administrators, they have access to a broad variety of tools which helps them to monitor the buses and the students.

12. Transfinder

Transfinder comes with advanced tools and a wide range of features for tracking the school buses. The Routefinder Pro is a bus routing module that can be used by fleet managers and Infofinder empowers bus administrators to increase the operational efficiency.

They can manage the entire fleet, optimize routes, and perform the required analyses. This app focuses more on catering to the needs of both the transportation department and the school.

13. Seon

Seon is a web-based school bus routing application. School administrators can track buses and maintain existing routes efficiently. They can inform parents in the event of an emergency through push notifications. Parents can view the bus routes and timings.

The drivers receive instructions as regards directions and can communicate with school authorities at all times. As this app comes with Bus Camera systems capability, it helps drivers to identify misbehavior among students

14. Verstrans My Stop

The app Verstrans My Stop provides parents with features similar to other apps. It provides a clear idea about the current location of the school bus and the time of arrival at the stop.

The program functions to update bus locations once every five seconds. Parents also can use the web version of the app on their computers. School authorities can plan bus routes, optimize existing ones, and monitor routes and drivers.

15. SafeStop

The app SafeStop provides a set of common features that allow tracking of buses. The key function offered by the app is the real-time notifications to parents and schools. The app also comes with advanced analytics to optimize bus routes and create an efficient system.