Student Transportation Solution

In a time where homeland security and the safety of children are such high priorities, the need to keep passenger censuses is critical. Hand written manifests cannot effectively or accurately track when students enter or exit a bus, nor can they be useful to safety authorities if they are on the bus when the bus is in transit.
A solution is needed to accurately keep track of which students are on a bus at any given time. The exact location of buses at any given time is also necessary. Moreover, the collection of this data should be quick and easy for the students and not be an interruption for the driver.

Solution Overview

• The School Bus solution consists of the ALERT ED software that
  will enable school administrators and public safety personal to locate a school bus, monitor passenger activity, and access passenger census.
  
  The figure below shows the end-to-end solution for the Yellow School Bus Project.
  
  

• Hardware
  - High resolution, day/night vision digital Ethernet video cameras provide passenger monitoring from any location via cellular data network
  - iRX Wireless Platform provides on-board 802.11 Access Point provides high frame-rate video to public safety personnel within close proximity to vehicle
  - Panic buttons give drivers the ability to discreetly alert administrators and first responders of trouble
  - AWID RFID proximity cards keep accurate records of when & where passengers enter or exit the bus
  - GPS provides exact location of bus at anytime
  - Handheld microphone provides bi-directional Push-to-Talk voice connectivity between bus driver and dispatcher

• Network – Information is transmitted back and forth over the Sprint/Nextel cellular network with the ELUTIONS application server which:
  - Monitors, alarms and presents the information in a browser-accessible form
  - Dispatcher makes appropriate decisions and communicates with the driver.

• ALERT ED software
  - Secure web-based application
  - Includes features of mapping, geo-fencing and dispatching, as well as management features of asset monitoring and control.
  - Any authorized user can log in from an internet browser to manage rental assets, view locations, view alarms, monitor key parameters, and take control if needed.
  - Provides flexible reports identify stops, stop locations, stop durations, stop sign deployment, door opening, etc.