When choosing a bus tracker app, understanding the different approaches to GPS tracking is essential. Two of the most common methods are geofencing and real-time live tracking. While geofencing offers basic notifications, real-time tracking provides a more robust solution for precise location updates. Having worked with many transportation directors that were frustrated by the limited impact of a geofencing solution, we hope to explain the technical basis and capabilities for each solution and the impact they can have on your school’s transportation efficiency, children safety and parents ease of mind.
This article compares these approaches and highlight the limitations of relying solely on geofencing.
If you are looking to learn more about improving transportation efficiency, read about BusWhere’s comprehensive GPS tracking technology and its impact on school transportation, administration, drivers, and students.
What is Geofencing?
Geofencing uses virtual boundaries or zones on a map. When a GPS-equipped school bus enters or exits these zones, notifications are triggered. This approach is event-driven and focuses on location-based alerts rather than continuous tracking. While useful for specific scenarios, it has notable shortcomings when used alone.
What is Real-Time Live Tracking?
Real-time live tracking continuously monitors the exact location, speed, and direction of a school bus. It provides dynamic updates in real time, allowing administrators, parents, and drivers to see precisely where the bus is at any given moment. This method ensures a higher level of accuracy and responsiveness.
Key Differences Between Geofencing and Real-Time Live Tracking
| Feature | Geofencing | Real-Time Live Tracking |
|---|---|---|
| Precision | Moderate; zone-based | High; exact location updates |
| Update Frequency | Event-driven (entry/exit) | Continuous, often every few seconds |
| Use Cases | Notifications for specific areas | Dynamic monitoring and ETA adjustments |
| Data Granularity | Basic (zone entry/exit) | Detailed (location, speed, direction) |
| Parent Experience | Alerts on key points, like arrival | Real-time visibility into the bus’s movement |
| Traffic Adaptability | None | High; dynamic route changes possible |
The Limitations of Geofencing
While geofencing offers simplicity, its shortcomings can significantly impact different stakeholders:
- For Administrators:
- Limited visibility into the bus’s real-time location leads to uncertainty during delays.
- Reactive rather than proactive—alerts only trigger when buses enter or exit zones.
- For Transportation Directors:
- Inability to monitor buses dynamically limits the ability to address issues like traffic or detours.
- Geofencing alone doesn’t provide data to optimize routes or improve schedules.
- For Parents:
- Parents receive entry/exit notifications but lack real-time visibility, leaving them unsure of the bus’s exact location. For example, the bus could be in the neighborhood, but not near the exact stop.
- Increased anxiety during delays or emergencies when real-time updates are unavailable.
- For Drivers:
- No assistance with navigation or dynamic route adjustments.
- Drivers may face additional stress without timely updates from transportation directors.
Why Real-Time Live Tracking is Superior
Real-time tracking addresses the limitations of geofencing by providing:
- Continuous Monitoring: Administrators and transportation directors can see where buses are at all times.
- Proactive Management: Quick adjustments to routes and schedules ensure better adherence to plans.
- Enhanced Communication: Parents receive up-to-the-minute updates, reducing calls and complaints.
- Safety and Efficiency: Drivers benefit from dynamic routing and turn-by-turn navigation, improving punctuality and reducing stress.
Why BusWhere Combines Both Approaches
BusWhere’s bus tracker app integrates both geofencing and real-time live tracking, offering the best of both worlds. By combining these technologies, schools can:
- Automate arrival and departure notifications with geofencing.
- Monitor precise bus locations in real time for dynamic adjustments.
- Optimize routes and improve overall efficiency.
Bus Tracking Technology That Solves Real Problems
While geofencing offers basic functionality, its limitations can lead to frustration and inefficiencies for all stakeholders. Real-time live tracking provides a comprehensive solution, ensuring precise updates, proactive management, and improved communication. By combining these approaches, BusWhere’s bus tracker app offers a superior system for school transportation.
Ready to enhance your school’s transportation system? Contact BusWhere to learn how we apply the best-in-class technologies to your school’s transportation challenges.