Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, August 08, 2011

The GPS and radio frequency identification (RFID) system, which FCPS is implementing for elementary schools this fall, monitors buses’ locations and students’ movement. Intelligent bar codes on riders' RFID sensor cards talk to a networked system to track individual students. Meanwhile, the global positioning system records the route and speed of the bus. (Photo: Tammy L. Lane)

Starting this fall, Fayette County Public Schools can keep an even closer eye on elementary students riding those big yellow buses.

The school board has approved a GPS and radio frequency identification (RFID) system to monitor the buses’ locations and students’ movement. This first year of districtwide implementation is covered by a grant. 

“The main purpose of this system is for the safety of our kids,” Superintendent Stu Silberman said at the June 27 board meeting. “We’ll know exactly where a student got on or off a bus.”

The riders will have RFID sensor cards, with a scanner sitting on the dashboard near the door. The intelligent bar codes talk to a networked system to track the individual students. Meanwhile, the global positioning system records the route and speed of the bus, documenting whether it is running on time and where it is located at all points along the way.

“We’re able to pull the record up within about 90 seconds,” said John Kiser, the district’s Transportation director.

The tracking system, which FCPS piloted in May with Ashland Elementary, initially will supplement the familiar bus tags and reassure families that someone always knows the whereabouts of their youngsters.

“It’s another layer of safety for us and accountability, and I like to do anything we can to help the drivers,” Principal Schuronda Morton said.

In FCPS, each school bus has an adult monitor in addition to the driver, and they will continue to use a daily manifest to check off each young rider. Plans are for the RFID cards to be colored-coded, matching the colored placards in the assigned bus window.

“The kids were responsible with the cards. We didn’t have to replace one,” Morton said, recalling the smooth transition for Ashland’s staff and their roughly 250 bus riders.

Kiser expects to prep the other elementary schools and outfit the rest of the buses with tracking equipment in the next couple of months. The rollout should start in September, with one or two schools per week.

He noted this proven technology is common in the trucking industry and has been implemented nationally at several larger school districts.

“We hope to have all buses equipped and operational by the end of October,” Kiser said. 

Resources

“Parents in Action” – This latest episode airing on Channel 13 spotlights school bus routes, safety tips and the new GPS tracking system.

Transportation Department