security Archives - trackschoolbus

Futuristic School Bus Transportation

Posted on December 17, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

Future school buses are the one that combines technological features such as onboard Wi-Fi, telematics, camera, Global Positioning System, driver support tools, etc.

This is a versatile transport solution, which is a typical example of the Internet of Things (IoT) of today, combines security, safety, and network access while on the road.

These facilities accrue as benefits to students, fleet staff, school staff and the parents. Let us see what the benefits of future school bus are and how they are different from normal buses.

1. Bridge the digital gap of the underprivileged

Many American homes which have low income still do not the means to access a hi-speed broadband Internet connection. Many children from low-income households are thus unable to complete their daily homework assignments.

When school buses are equipped with Wi-Fi, it helps these and other students complete their homework while on a long ride back home.

In addition to helping students, parked connected school buses can double up as Wi-Fi hotspots offers internet access to the underprivileged when they are not carrying students. These buses can also find places in the case when schools sponsor programs or organize fundraisers.

The same wireless access as is on the campus is made available in the bus. Therefore the same web filtering rules are on and no dangerous content can be streamed.

A normal bus, on the other hand, does not offer this advantage. Though the fare may be less, other expenses such as Internet access costs through other means and associated costs may compensate for the savings made.

Moreover, the student travelling by a normal bus is denied access to information as compared to other students that travel in next generation school buses and therefore loses out on many related counts.

2. Anywhere learning is possible

A student travelling in the next generation bus is able to access learning management systems while on the road. They are able to chat with their teachers and mentors, check their grades, view their assignments, Moreover, the student can reach out and access Google Classroom to view and download or upload their homework.

This learning for students is not limited to those who attend classes and do the homework. Connected school buses help sports students to catch up with their missed lessons.

The greatest advantage here is that when such students travel on the normal bus they stand a great chance of losing their sleep hours.

A connected bus helps the students to get home and catch up with their sleep or attend to their part-time jobs or pursue other extracurricular activities with ease.

Another interesting example is the instance of Lockheed Martin creating the first ever immersive virtual reality vehicle, meaning it provides the students with a virtual reality experience on the way back home. The Mars Experience Bus was their one such creation.

For bus commutes that last for more than 45 minutes, instructors can present class lessons to the students in a remote fashion instead of extending the school timings. Travel in normal buses would deprive children and the tutors of this facility.

3. Smart video surveillance enhances safety

Untoward incidents that threaten the safety of children travelling to school in normal buses many a time go unnoticed. However, connected buses with smart video surveillance can be used to improve passenger safety and also aids in monitoring the student and driver behavior in real time.

Authorities can watch a live and real-time video that is being recorded in the bus. The surveillance system would monitor both the exterior and interior of the bus. Two-way audio facilities allow the authorities to act fast in case of unexpected emergencies.

A reckless driver can be tamed, both the bus driver and other civilian drivers that drive past the flashing lights of the school bus.

Normal buses’ drivers can travel at the speed they want and there can be no control whatsoever on the unruly behavior of the drivers. The passengers usually bear the brunt of such behavior.

4. Provide timely information to parents

The parents are allowed to have more visibility when their children travel on these school buses. They get information in real time telling them if the bus will be on time or delayed to reach a specified bus stop.

This is a big plus during winter days when the driver has to deal with ice and snow on the roads and suffers freezing temperatures.

GPS helps the system track the buses in real time and alerts authorities if the bus strays from the normally prescribed route or if the bus faces a breakdown.

The exact spot is notified via alerts through integration to social media. The authorities can enable geo-fencing, and even proactively monitor the maintenance of the school bus.

When children travel in normal buses, parents sometimes wait for hours on end at the bus stop and what it means is a colossal waste of resources. Sometimes children wait outside in the cold for hours if the bus is delayed.

5. Relay back maintenance issues in a timely manner

Futuristic school buses have the technology to relay back relevant information about the bus status to the concerned authorities.

Examples of variables that can be conveyed back are fuel economy, tire pressure, and engine fault codes. The authorities can then decide if the engine of the bus is running at its peak performance values.

Preventive maintenance action is made possible with these actions. The ultimate results are that costs are lowered and expulsions of gases that affect the environment negatively are reduced.

A normal bus would just end up breaking down suddenly in a majority of cases. This would mean upset of normal routines and eventually end up in unplanned extra costs.

6. Help to make up the academic shortfall of the country

According to statistics, students in the United States are academically behind students of many other nations. Therefore, it is a good idea to increase students’ access to resources via these buses. This would only serve to increase their intellectual awareness.

7. Improve the behavior of the students

Some students with behavioral issues many a time require a distraction that would keep them calm.

Wi-Fi in a connected bus is an educational distraction that would hold their attention. They would keep away from distraction the other children or even the bus driver.

Those children travelling on a normal bus can give vent to their feelings in any manner that they want to and there is no tether for this.

Conclusion

The true value of this kind of transport solution is the integration of the wireless, telematics, security, camera and other components which turn this into one single powerful platform. The uses are nearly unlimited.

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.

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.