Imagine a world where parents never have to worry about their children getting to school safely, and schools can keep track of every bus with just a few clicks. Managing school bus fleets can be tough. There are many challenges like making sure buses are on time, safe, and keeping parents in the loop. Safety is super important, and parents want to know where their kids are. 

This is where GPS technology comes in. GPS trackers can help schools manage buses better and give parents peace of mind by knowing their children are safe.

In this article, you will understand the benefits of GPS tracking for kid's safety, parents and school buses.

Key Takeaway:

• Enhanced Safety
• Parental Peace of Mind
• Efficient Route Planning
• Driver Behaviour Monitoring
• Maintenance and Cost Savings
• Environmental Benefits
• Accurate Attendance Tracking
• Proven Success
• Adoption and Growth

How GPS Tracking Helps Keep School Buses Safe

GPS tracking systems are super helpful for keeping kids safe on school buses. These systems log and send updates about where the bus is throughout each trip. They also alert the school if a driver is doing something dangerous that could put kids at risk. Bad driving habits that GPS can detect include:

• Driving over the speed limit
• Hard braking
• Swerving
• Reckless and aggressive driving
• Changing the bus route without permission

There have been some scary incidents that show why GPS tracking is so important. For example, in Utah, a school bus driver was arrested for DUI, putting 67 children and adults in danger with his erratic driving.

When school buses have GPS tracking devices, both the school and parents can monitor the buses' real-time locations and the kids. Parents and schools receive important details about the trips, like the routes taken and the stops made. This information is sent through SMS or email alerts and can also be viewed online or through a mobile app. If there are delays due to traffic or other incidents, the bus manager can immediately notify parents about the reason for the delay.

So, how exactly does GPS benefit school bus fleets?

1. Keeping Students Safe on the Road

When kids get on the school bus, their safety is in the hands of the driver and the person planning the route. Naturally, parents worry about their child's safety at this point. But GPS fleet tracker provide a sense of security because parents can check on their child throughout the ride.

Studies show that when drivers know their driving behaviour is being tracked, they tend to follow the rules and improve their work habits. Modern GPS trackers like "Tracki" work in real-time, so parents are always informed about the bus’s current location and exact arrival time. This constant update helps reassure parents that their children are safe on the road.

2. Protects children from going missing

The number of missing children has been increasing, and some cases remain unsolved despite search efforts. Schools must ensure the safety and security of their students, starting from the moment they leave their homes until they return.

A GPS tracking system can help check if a child took the right bus home and was safely dropped off at the correct location. Installing GPS tracking devices in school buses is a cost-effective and beneficial solution for improving child safety. This system gives schools and parents peace of mind, knowing they can monitor the children’s whereabouts throughout the day.

3. Helps with School Bus Maintenance

Maintaining school bus fleets can be expensive for schools. Catching problems early can save money on costly repairs and prevent buses from breaking down unexpectedly. GPS tracking systems can help fleet managers spot issues before they get worse, allowing them to schedule maintenance ahead of time. This way, buses get the care they need, and replacement buses can be arranged if necessary, minimizing downtime and keeping everything running smoothly.

4. Enhances Vehicle Route Planning

Many students are late to school because the bus doesn’t pick them up on time. This can happen due to a lack of drivers, heavy traffic, or an inefficient bus system. Using a GPS vehicle locator helps fleet managers find better routes for drivers. This reduces the time each driver spends on the road, leading to faster arrivals and lower fuel costs. It also reduces the chances of buses encountering problems on the way to school, ensuring a smoother and safer journey for everyone.

5. Removes Parental Anxiety

Sending children off to school can be a stressful experience for parents. GPS tracking helps ease this anxiety by providing real-time alerts about the bus's location, including its arrival and departure times. If the bus is running late, parents can quickly contact the dispatcher for updates. This constant flow of information gives parents peace of mind, knowing they can always check on their child's journey to and from school.

6. Monitors Driver Behaviour

Trusting a fleet of buses filled with kids to irresponsible drivers is a big concern. A GPS tracker helps bus fleet managers monitor driver behaviour by generating reports on unwanted actions like sudden braking, excessive idle times, and speeding. It also allows them to reward drivers who show good behaviour on the road. This ensures that children are in safe hands and promotes responsible driving among bus drivers.

7. Helps Schools Save on Fuel Costs

GPS tracking also helps schools save money on fuel. By planning more cost-effective routes, bus dispatchers can avoid road construction, traffic, and accident-prone areas. Additionally, they can ensure drivers follow speed limits and stick to their scheduled routes. This not only saves fuel but also reduces wear and tear on the buses, making transportation more efficient and economical.

8. Reduces Carbon Footprint

By using more efficient routes and reducing idle times, schools can help protect the environment. GPS tracking provides valuable information that allows schools to adopt eco-friendly, cost-cutting strategies for their bus fleets. This not only saves money but also helps reduce the overall carbon footprint, contributing to a healthier planet.

9. Keeps Important Records and Schedules Efficiently

One of the best things about GPS tracking is the valuable data it collects. Information like driver behaviour, mileage, and other key factors are automatically recorded, eliminating the need for manual logbooks. Additionally, scheduling becomes much easier with a tracking system. Bus dispatchers can create better and more effective schedules for students, leading to improved time management and smoother operations. This helps ensure that everything runs efficiently and on time.

Case Study: GPS Trackers for School Buses in Suffolk, Virginia

Public schools in Suffolk, Virginia, decided to tackle the issue of late buses by incorporating GPS technology into their school buses. Fleet managers use GPS to find more effective routes, ensuring buses arrive on time. To support this initiative, the Suffolk school division allocated a $200,000 budget for GPS technology.

However, only some people support this idea. Mike Debranski, a school board chairman, is against installing a tracking system, and only 69% of more than 3,100 surveyed parents agreed with implementing a school bus tracking system.

Despite some resistance, GPS has effectively addressed Suffolk's school bus issues. Suffolk, the largest city in Virginia, spans 430 square miles and has challenging terrain. A consulting firm recommended investing in GPS after surveying the area in 2015.

GPS tracking systems help dispatchers plan convenient routes, directing the city's 723 school buses toward smoother traffic. This is especially useful for drivers navigating unfamiliar neighbourhoods, ensuring students are brought home safely and efficiently.

While neighbouring cities Norfolk and Portsmouth still need to adopt GPS technology for their school buses, its use is growing nationwide. According to Mike Martin, executive director of the National Association of Pupil Transportation, GPS "enables the districts to know very, very quickly where their buses are."

School officials in Suffolk are optimistic that GPS will address long-standing bus issues raised by parents. They hope to improve the system annually. Additionally, installing GPS technology will lead to significant savings on fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs for schools.

More Schools Adopting GPS Technology

Using GPS technology to monitor school buses is becoming increasingly common. Several schools already use it to keep an eye on their bus driver’s behaviours. According to WNCN.com, some schools in North Carolina have taken extra precautions by assigning supervisors to buses to ensure drivers don't exceed 45 mph.

In Lafayette, Louisiana, a school reported significant benefits from adopting a school bus monitoring system. The school official can oversee remote employees from his desk, checking the bus's current location, every stop made, and whether it's running at the prescribed speed—all from his computer. This system helps ensure student safety and improves overall bus operation efficiency.

Everything from emergencies to bus breakdowns will immediately be addressed if schools start seeking the help of GPS tracking. Are you interested in investing in a cost-effective tracking system? 

Tracki is a reliable GPS tracking system equipped with the best features that can help schools address important safety issues. 

Why Use Tracki GPS Tracker for School Bus Fleets

Keeping students safe is very important. Using Tracki GPS tracker for school bus fleets can help make sure kids get to school and back home safely. Here are some reasons why using Tracki GPS trackers is a great idea:

• Safety and Security: Tracki GPS trackers can show the exact location of each school bus in real-time. This helps parents and schools know where the bus is and when it will arrive. If there is an emergency or the bus breaks down, help can get there quickly because the location is known.
• Better Route Planning: With Tracki GPS, schools can plan the best routes for buses. This can save time and fuel. The GPS tracker can also help avoid traffic and find faster ways to get students to school and home.
• Driver Behaviour Monitoring: The GPS tracker can monitor how the bus driver is driving. If the driver is speeding or driving unsafely, the school can take action. This helps make sure all drivers are following the rules and keeping students safe.
• Cost Savings: Using Tracki GPS trackers can help save money. By planning better routes and monitoring fuel usage, schools can reduce costs. Fewer accidents and better-maintained buses also mean lower repair costs.
• Peace of Mind: Parents and school staff can feel more at ease knowing that the buses are being monitored. They can check the bus’s location at any time and feel confident that the students are safe.

Conclusion

In a world where safety is a top priority, Tracki GPS trackers offer a reliable solution for managing school bus fleets. By providing real-time updates and monitoring driver behaviour, Tracki ensures that students are safe, and parents are informed. The benefits extend beyond safety, offering cost savings, efficient route planning, and peace of mind for everyone involved. 

Schools can maintain their buses better, reduce fuel costs, and keep accurate records, all while reducing their carbon footprint. Adopting Tracki GPS technology is a smart and effective way to address the challenges of managing school bus fleets.