Technological advances and increasing concerns about student safety and accountability have made GPS/AVL one of the hottest topics in student transportation management in the past 20 years. At edulog, we anticipated this interest, and have made a considerable effort to become the leading resource of GPS information for student transportation. Our staff, working with an external group of highly experienced consultants, are ready to guide you through any and all phases of your district's GPS project, from exploration, evaluation, and selection to the implementation and integration of this technology into your busing operation.
edulog's AVL software gives you benefits not available with any other AVL solution such as:
- Safety: Take immediate action and get instant results with emergency event notification. Improve community service by increasing your situational awareness and communication ability.
- Efficiency: Optimize routing and scheduling based on AVL data, maximize fleet use, and enhance your productivity through comparative analysis.
- Integration: Get the most out of your technology by eliminating data entry. EduTrackers's open system design interfaces with alarm systems, student databases, financial software, maintenance schedulers, and more.
- Knowledge: Now you can track, store, and report on real times and real miles, for an entire fleet during the whole year, or just one bus one day. Justify expenditures, calculate savings, and track efficiencies while providing information to a greater number of concerned parties.
- Flexibility: Zoom in for detail, pan for the wider picture, show all buses or selected buses, and make on the fly distance measurements. The interactive map display lets you see as much or as little as you need, without clutter or distractions.
edulog takes a unique approach with its cell phone-based GPS solutions, allowing clients to harness the power of the EduTracker AVL software with the use of a simple cell phone as the onboard GPS hardware for school buses. The mobile software application contained on the cell phone (EduPhoneAVL) is the only application of its kind - specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the pupil transportation market.
This GPS solution is highly differentiated from all other cell phone-based solutions - offering significantly increased value at a dramatically reduced cost. Key aspects of the total solution include:
1) Full integration with planned bus routing data.
With the use of the EduTracker AVL server software, clients are able to leverage the value of full, 2-way integration with planned routing data. Not only can live GPS data be compared to planned data in real time (so that users can manage by exception), GPS data can actually be imported back into the planned routing database to increase efficiencies, auto-calibrate the GIS map, and even create new bus runs/routes from real world GPS data.
2) Much lower cost
The ongoing fees for the EduPhoneAVL mobile software license are approximately 55-75% lower than current market standards, making this solution a much more affordable option for districts considering a cell phone GPS solution. Those clients currently using a non-edulog cell phone solution can see an immediate cost savings by simply changing the mobile application on the phones - with absolutely no additional capital expense for hardware!
Beyond the greatly increased value and significantly reduced cost of the EduPhoneAVL solution, there are additional components related to the mounting and installation of the solution that offer further differentiation. Cell phones are mounted within the bus using a patent-pending cell phone box, specially designed to cradle the phone, provide the needed electrical components to power it, and specially designed so as not to interfere or impede the transmission of either GPS signals or cellular communication. Cell phones can be installed in a closed-face box such that they are completely unavailable to the bus driver, or else
an open faced box can be used which provides limited access to the driver for specialized functions (driver login/timeclock applications, text messaging between drivers and dispatch, even voice communication for emergencies if desired.)
Simply put, the EduPhoneAVL solution is one of a kind. Finally, a cell phone-based GPS solution specifically designed for Pupil Transportation!
After almost 30 years as the industry leader, edulog has dedicated its development efforts for the past few years towards bringing the full benefits of GPS technology to pupil transportation management. Our conviction is that this technology can significantly transform the industry by enabling new ways of addressing routing concerns, from dispatching and routing decisions to collecting data and calibrating map information. edulog's GPS solutions are completely integrated packages of hardware and software. It is a single-vendor, sole source system capable of delivering the most advanced and powerful GPS technologies to the school market.
The EduTracker AVL Software is quickly establishing itself as the standard to which all other AVL systems strive to follow in meeting the unique needs of the pupil transportation market.
EduTracker takes advantage of all the capabilities of the GPS hardware and the software residing on both the server and the on-board computer in each GPS unit. The overall GPS/AVL solution relies heavily on the deep integration between these two software pieces and the intelligent two-way communication and two-way data exchange between the server and the mobile computers embedded in the GPS units.
edulog recognizes that a single type of GPS hardware will not work for all districts. In fact, a single type of hardware may not work for all of just one district's GPS project. There are trade-offs to be considered when evaluating hardware options. Low cost solutions are available to give school districts a way to get a GPS initiative started when budget constraints might otherwise make this impossible. However, the advantage of low cost must be weighed against the limitations placed on the overall solution.
Even districts that have a set GPS budget set aside can benefit from multiple hardware options. For example the hardware required for complete school bus tracking (including sensors for ignition on/off, door open/closed, flashing lights, stop arm, emergency event), is not necessary for tracking maintenance vehicles (white fleet). Thrifty clients can choose to mix and match hardware options for various vehicles in order to maximize value while reducing costs.
Unlike other companies that offer only one or at most two options, edulog has developed a complete portfolio of GPS hardware that provides a perfect fit for any district. Equally as important is the fact that each option is easily scaled up to the next-providing clients a no-risk upgrade path as their needs change. Plus, clients are not forced into making one fleet-wide purchasing decision after another. Instead, individual units can be upgraded in smaller batches while the overall system continues to function with a mixed combination of units.
Cell Phone Only (EduPhoneAVL) - Simply installing a cell phone on a bus is enough to get started with GPS. But edulog's cell phone solution exceeds the capabilities of all standalone AVL solutions by integrating AVL software with planned routing data - all at a greatly reduced cost. Districts with existing cell phone-based GPS solutions can easily upgrade to edulog's integrated solution by keeping their existing equipment and simply updating the mobile application on the phone. Click the EduPhoneAVL link to the left for more information
Cell Phone + Tethered-Locator (TL) - The value of a cell phone based GPS solution can be multiplied exponentially by adding the TL unit that can accept a full range of sensor inputs from the school bus. When combined with the TL mobile application (firmware), the full set of edulog AVL software features become available.
Cell Phone + Blue-Locator (BL) - Combining a Bluetooth enabled cell phone with the BL unit offers the additional flexibility of being able to use the cell phone for voice communication, push-to-talk, and text messaging as a part of the overall GPS solution. This configuration is ideal for field trip buses that travel outside of local radio coverage and need voice communication in addition to GPS tracking. It is also an ideal solution for maintenance vehicles (white fleet), because the cell phone can also send work order information to/from employees in the field.
Location Messaging Unit (LMU) - The LMU and embedded edulog firmware offer clients the most robust and complete range of integrated GPS/AVL features available today. In addition to the full range of sensor inputs, the LMU can be: combined with a variety of student tracking options; integrated with the onboard bus computer for diagnostics; and connected to a mobile data terminal (MDT) for displaying student and transportation data, driver directions, maps of the planned bus route and more.
As with the choice of GPS hardware, there is often no single communication medium that will perfectly fit a school district's broad range of GPS needs - and certainly no single platform that will meet the needs of all school districts. edulog supports the full range of communication options including radio-based GPS systems, all of the major cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and beyond. Should a client desire to use a combination of communication options, edulog can work to make it happen.
But beyond the choice of the network itself, edulog offers powerful software tools that allow clients to maintain control over how much data is transmitted from the GPS unit and when, which greatly reduces customer concerns about cellular overage charges, and allows clients to configure the system to fit within a smaller data plan. This integrated software functionality is unique to edulog.
Many school districts have come to understand the importance and value of selecting a GPS solution that offers integration between the AVL software and planned bus routing data. However, the term integration needs to be explained, because there are critical differences between one "integrated" system and the next.
By taking planned routing data and importing it into AVL software, clients can perform comparative analysis with the actual GPS data being collected. Clients can then see much more than just the location of buses, they can see which buses are running early or late and determine when a bus skips a stop or makes an unscheduled stop, etc. This type of one-way integration with planned data results in a much more valuable solution than what is provided by any type of standalone AVL system. It allows districts to manage by exception and focus attention only on those instances where something unplanned or unexpected is occurring.
edulog's EduTracker AVL software offers the most advanced collection of these types of integrated features derived from comparing GPS data with planned routing data. The system effectively "talks" to the users, letting them know when something unplanned happens. It allows dispatchers to handle early/late buses with extremely accurate information rather than having to simply react as phone calls stream in from parents. And while implementation can be simplified when edulog's routing software is the source of the planned data, it is not required. EduTracker can use planned routing data from whatever brand of bus routing software the district currently uses. For districts not currently using any type of bus routing software, edulog offers a function in EduTracker that does not require routing software to take advantage of these features. Instead live GPS data can be collected from actual bus runs and then used to populate the planned database so comparative analysis and management by exception can still occur.
Those few companies that claim to offer "Integrated GPS" are in fact only able to provide one-way integration with planned data. But edulog's GPS solutions go far beyond this initial milestone. When used in conjunction with edulog's routing software, EduTracker can take live GPS data and push it into the planned routing database. For the first time in industry history, rather than having to rely on a "best guess" model of what's occurring on the road, clients can update routing information based on data collected in the real world in real time.
As real world GPS data is moved into the district's routing system, it greatly improves the accuracy of such things as exact stop locations and times, street segment speeds, etc. More exact data provided by the GPS system can lead to increased efficiencies and extremely meaningful run and route optimization. This unique GPS solution with two-way integration to routing software will not only actually improve the district's transportation data, but will even serve to auto-calibrate the district's GIS map as it is used over time. Two-way integration of AVL and routing software is another industry milestone, and unique to edulog.
No topic related to school bus GPS/AVL has received more attention in recent years than student tracking. The motivations for automatic student tracking range from: increasing student safety and security; improving the efficiency of special needs routing; meeting state/provincial reporting requirements; securing Medicaid reimbursement.
The options for student tracking technology are as diverse as the motivations to implement them. Hardware products include RFID, swipe cards, bar coding, mobile data terminals (MDT), biometrics, and more. The only clear conclusion is that there is no perfect answer to student tracking. Every option has advantages and disadvantages that clients must consider to make an informed decision. In keeping with the "one size does not fit all" philosophy, edulog's approach to student tracking has been to design its GPS solutions to offer clients the ability to select from the complete range of student tacking options. For many clients, a combination of student tracking technologies will provide the best fit.
But being a true solution provider means going far beyond simply selling a variety of hardware options. There needs to be accountability and responsibility for the operational success of the overall system, which is directly affected by the selected technology. Therefore, edulog works with each individual client to understand and define the unique requirements and expectations for the student tracking system. Only then can meaningful, objective recommendations be made, and subsequent operational experiences be evaluated with the district.
While a variety of student tracking options are available, many clients have selected the following technologies.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) - Widely used in other industries, RFID technology offers clients an effective way to accurately identify students as they board and exit the bus. The type, size, and costs vary based on the range or proximity required by the client for both the RFID reader and the student credential being scanned. The smaller the range, the less passive the system is thus requiring physical participation from each student to ensure a successful scan. edulog works with clients to adapt the installation of this equipment to fit with the models of school buses in a client's fleet.
Click here for pictures of installed RFID readers.
Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) - Through the integration of the student tracking system with planned routing data, student information can be sent out to each bus and displayed on an MDT for the driver to interact with. This can be especially effective for special needs student tracking: the driver can simply push a button to indicate whether or not a child was picked up and if not, select from a list of reasons why. Beyond student tracking, the MDT offers the additional features of being able to provide run directions, color moving maps, and more to the driver - all especially helpful for frequently changing bus runs and/or substitute drivers.
Click here for pictures of installed MDT's.
As with AVL, the value of a student tracking system can be exponentially increased when it is integrated with planned routing data. Rather than simply tracking which students board and exit the bus, clients can compare this information to a list of students assigned to a given bus stop. Not only can dispatch know when a child has exited at an unassigned stop, the driver will know when someone, who isn't supposed to, boards the bus.
A true dispatch tool, EduTracker allows operators to better manage phone calls from parents and determine with detailed accuracy where their child is located, if/when they were picked up or dropped off, and exactly what time this occurred. Ultimately this allows operators to "Manage by Exception", rather than being flooded with data that represents business as usual. This unique design makes a wide range of features possible. For example, comparative reports can be generated to show:
1) The list of students that rode the wrong bus that day.
2) The list of students that got off at the wrong stop that day.
By leveraging the ability of real time student tracking data, comparative analysis can be automatically performed by the EduTracker software dynamically. As school buses drive their planned routes the software can monitor exceptions and immediately notify operators of events that require their attention (through pop-ups, color and/or flashing text, icons, etc.)
Dispatchers also have the ability to utilize the system to drill down, looking at a specific school bus (or individual bus stop) to observe the real time status of which assigned students are: a) waiting for the bus, b) have been picked up and are onboard, c) have been dropped off, and d) were missed at a bus stop.
The ability to perform 2-way communication between the AVL/routing software and the GPS unit on the school bus in real time allows the "Edulog network" to be extended to include the buses themselves. This important features offers flexible options for future expansion such that comparative analysis of actual vs. planned student data can be performed onboard the bus itself at each stop and then communicated to the driver through a Mobile Data Terminal or similar device.
Beyond daily operations, further routing efficiencies can occur because the system gives you a better understanding of exactly how many students are actually riding the bus compared to the total number eligible for transportation.
In order for student tracking to work, clients need much more than student tracking hardware and software, they need a cohesive management system. Many districts underestimate the resources needed to successfully maintain and operate a student tracking system, especially when individual credentials are assigned to students. Questions such as: Who will assign cards to students? Where will this occur? What happens when a card is lost? How will all of this integrate with the existing student database? Fortunately, edulog has developed software tools within EduTracker to help clients manage these challenges. Card assignments are as simple as scanning an ID and then the system instantly connects this card number to both the transportation assignment for that studentand the student record within the district's student information system.
This winter a severe storm was coming to our area and the district was debating on how to respond to what would prove to be heavy snowfall. The district decided on an early staggered release for HS school, Middle school, and Intermediate school students, and then releases elementary students at the normal time. Naturally, this would affect the busing patterns. Using our integrated edulog EduTracker GPS system, we could see in real time where all the buses were, determine which buses were ahead of schedule (as tracked in real time against the information stored in the edulog routing and scheduling system), and tell principals when to expect buses.
Using the edulog system, we were able to create an immediate action plan that worked quite well. The administration was impressed with the GPS functionality-especially at how accurate the system was at tracking early and on-time buses, and how easy it was to use the system to answer questions from parents who needed to meet buses. The administration watched all this happen in real-time right on the computer monitors.
On May 23 of 2007 there were tornado warnings. Our HS Students had already loaded and left the school when the sirens went off. I was able to use the edulog GPS system to answer questions for parents that were very concerned about their children and where they were on the buses. Using the graphic interface of the edulog system, I was able to give them the answers they needed to hear and give them a peace of mind. We then held back the others until the weather was cleared and with the edulog EduTracler GPS system we were able to see when the buses were going to get to the schools and when they were done for the afternoon and our students were home safely.
In both incidences our edulog EduTracker GPS program was a positive tool we were able to use. It was kind of a bonus having the system in place. When we were looking at the system these weather related issues were not a factor of which we thought we would use it for, but has proven to be very helpful and necessary tool.
We currently have five GPS units in our initial pilot program. Our fleet is currently 497 school buses. We also use edulog for our routing and scheduling software. We have on been a customer of edulog for twenty one years.
The GPS units are producing the results we hoped for. The analysis of real time and planned routes have been helpful. We have used the GPS to handle calls from citizens about speeding. We have reduced our idle time on GPS enabled buses.
There were two deciding factors we used to determine edulog was right for us. The first was the ability to share the data between planned data and GPS data. The second was the shared terminology of the two softwares. This helped reduce the learning curve.
The decision to go completely with one vendor for hardware and support was an excellent choice. We deal directly with edulog support for all aspects of the GPS program.
Shallowater I.S.D. is a small community of 2500 in West Texas. We transport around 400 students a.m & p.m. for 180 days a year. Like most small schools of 1400 students enrolled our support staff is very small. The GPS system has allowed me to watch and answer questions on demand that I couldn't provide to the public before. It has made our operations more efficient and has given us time to do other jobs we have in the district on a daily basis. As many are aware of the phone calls you can receive every day from buses going to fast , not stopping at the assigned location, being late or early has made our department able to answer all questions more accurate and more timely. We feel this system will work with our next step, as we will add the student ID with the GPS so we can answer even more questions about who is on the bus and where they got off and also what time . Edulog has worked with us to provide the system that we need for a small school and has not ignored us as a small vendor. We have been treated like we are just important as the big fish.
GPS has saved me a lot of time and money that is hard to put a price tag on. Being able to answer to the administration about problems and showing the drivers about being accountable for the routes and keeping the buses in check from speeding to making the right stops has reduced 70% of the phone calls. We are very proud of this service we have to offer as a school district to parents that are thinking about moving here or buying a house. It has been a comfort to the parents to know we are staying with the technology that is provided to a school district and we feel it has increased our enrollment as well.