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As security issues increase, many school districts are seeing the benefits of GPS tracking systems for their bus routes. A few large cities such as Chicago and New York have used GPS technology with success on their transportation routes, and now some smaller districts are also beginning to use this cutting-edge technology. School districts in mountainous regions such as Colorado and Utah have recently installed new GPS tracking systems on their buses. Some taxpayers have complained about the substantial expense of this system, saying that the money could be put to better use in another education-related way. Supporters of the system argue that the benefits outweigh the high cost. Although expensive, GPS tracking provides greater security for the students. School administrators also say that the GPS tracking devices help save on transportation and maintenance costs.

How School Districts Use GPS

Although each school tracking system differs slightly, usually each bus is equipped with a gps tracker that relays signals to a receiver, where the activity is monitored. Because they rely on satellite signals, these trackers are fairly reliable. Trackers relay details like speed, exact location, and time spent stopped at a given location. This is helpful in case of mechanical problems or bad weather. GPS tracking can also save on transportation costs by monitoring gasoline consumption; for example, keeping a record of the time spent idling. With this information, school officials can inform parents of the exact location of the bus and reasons for delays. More importantly, with a GPS system, school officials are immediately aware of dangerous situations like hijacking or traffic accidents, and can get help to the students more quickly.

Some school systems automatically share the data they receive with the local police, while others have school employees constantly monitoring bus activity. Although some districts have discussed making the tracking information public so that parents can monitor their children’s safety when traveling to and from school, no school has yet made this step because of the possible threats from stalkers and child predators. Although the cost of GPS tracking systems for buses is a negative, many school districts have begun using these systems in order to maximize transportation efficiency and, more importantly, the safety of their students.

Article Written by Greg Bartlett