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School bus operators and commercial fleet managers have the same problems in managing their fleets. It can be difficult to gather precise information about what route was driven, how long stops took, and where a disabled vehicle is located. Lack of this information limits the ability to plan the most efficient route for each fleet vehicle. Some school districts are trying GPS fleet tracking technology to keep tabs on their buses.

Fleet tracking works like any other GPS tracking. Each vehicle in the fleet is equipped with a device that communicates with satellites to determine the location and movement of the vehicle. This information can be monitored constantly or checked at regular intervals, depending on the device and software used. It can be real-time or recorded for future study. Fleet tracking puts together a system to monitor multiple vehicles at the same time and record the information so it can be evaluated and compared. Companies then use the information to keep drivers accountable, calculate costs, and plan more efficient movement of people and freight.

The Omaha public school district tested GPS fleet management on five buses for six weeks this past spring. Transportation director David Wolfe was impressed with how helpful the information was. The GPS system was then selected by the Sherwood Foundation from a list of priorities to be paid for with a large grant.

The information from the GPS system will be used to monitor a variety of things. It will record when doors open and when the stop arm of a bus is used. It will record idle times so that routes can be adjusted to be more efficient. It will estimate arrival times for buses that are running late. It will show the location of a broken-down bus.

All of this information will help the school district run efficient routes, saving on fuel and other operating expenses. It will keep drivers accountable to drive both safely and efficiently. It will keep parents informed on where their children are and when they will arrive home. Most importantly, it will keep children safer because their location will be immediately known if a problem ever arises. More school districts should try fleet tracking with their buses and see the benefits of this valuable way to manage a fleet of vehicles with GPS tracking.

Article written by Greg Bartlett for Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc.