Abstract
The “Android Based School Bus Tracking System” is a mobile application designed to enhance
the safety and efficiency of school bus transportation. The system allows parents and school
administrators to track the real-time location of school buses, ensuring that students are safe and accounted
for during their journey to and from school. The app provides features such as live tracking, estimated arrival times, and notifications, helping to reduce anxiety and improve communication between parents, drivers,
and school authorities.
Existing System
In many schools, the process of tracking school buses is manual and relies on phone calls or radio
communication between drivers and school administrators. Parents often have little to no visibility into the whereabouts of the bus, leading to uncertainty and anxiety, especially during delays or emergencies.
While some schools use GPS tracking systems, these may not be integrated into a user-friendly mobile
application, limiting accessibility and usability.
Proposed System
The proposed “Android Based School Bus Tracking System” will provide a comprehensive solution for
tracking school buses using GPS technology and real-time data. The system will include a mobile application for parents and school administrators, offering features such as live bus tracking, route planning, estimated arrival times, and notifications for bus arrival or delays. The system aims to improve safety, reduce waiting times, and enhance communication between all stakeholders.
Methodologies
- Agile Methodology: Use Agile practices for iterative development, enabling continuous improvement based on user feedback and testing.
- Prototyping: Develop prototypes to test core functionalities like real-time tracking, notification systems,
and user interfaces, refining features based on user experience. - Model-View-Controller (MVC) Architecture: Employ MVC architecture to separate the user interface
from application logic and data management, ensuring a modular and maintainable design.
Technologies Used
- Android SDK: For developing the mobile application, including user interface design and core functionalities.
- Java/Kotlin: Programming languages used for Android development.
- GPS Technology: For tracking the real-time location of the school bus.
- Google Maps API: For displaying bus routes, real-time locations, and providing navigation support.
- Firebase/SQLite: For storing and managing user data, bus routes, and tracking information.
- Push Notifications: For sending real-time alerts and notifications to parents and administrators about bus arrival times and delays.
- RESTful APIs: For communication between the mobile app and the server, ensuring real-time data synchronization.
System Features
- Real-Time Bus Tracking: Allows parents and school administrators to view the live location of school buses on a map, providing real-time updates on the bus’s position.
- Estimated Arrival Times: Calculates and displays the estimated arrival time of the bus at each stop, helping parents and students plan accordingly.
- Route Planning and Monitoring: Displays the bus route on the map, allowing users to monitor the bus’s progress along the route and detect any deviations.
- Notifications and Alerts: Sends notifications to parents and administrators regarding bus arrivals, delays, or any unexpected events (e.g., detours or breakdowns).
- Student Check-In/Check-Out: (Optional) Allows drivers to mark when students board and leave the bus, ensuring all students are accounted for.
- Parent and Administrator Dashboards: Provides different levels of access, with parents viewing their child’s bus and route, and administrators managing all buses and routes.
- Emergency Management: Includes features for handling emergencies, such as direct communication with the driver or sending alerts in case of accidents or breakdowns.
Benefits
- Enhanced Safety: Provides peace of mind to parents by allowing them to track their child’s school bus in real-time and receive updates on any delays or issues.
- Improved Communication: Facilitates better communication between parents, drivers, and school administrators, ensuring everyone is informed and connected.
- Time Efficiency: Helps parents plan drop-offs and pickups more effectively by providing accurate estimated arrival times, reducing waiting times.
- Accountability: Ensures that all students are accounted for, reducing the risk of students getting lost or left behind.
