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Enhancing Student Safety

The calendar has only just flipped to March, but 2025 has already seen more than enough tragedy involving children on their way to or from their school bus stops.

In Florida alone, at least three families have been devastated by accidents that left two children dead and another fighting for his life:

• On Jan 17, according to stnonline.com, “an Atlantic Coast High School student died after being struck by a vehicle while trying to get (to) her school bus stop.” The 16-year-old girl was reportedly crossing the street on her way to her bus stop at approximately 6 a.m. when a car struck her. The victim, Alondra Martinez, later died of her injuries.
• On Jan. 23, WFLA-TV (NBC) in Tampa reported that an 11-year-old girl died from injuries sustained when she was hit by a car while walking home shortly after getting off her school bus. The Florida Highway Patrol, WFLA reported, said the Hernando County girl “was on the edge of the road when a Toyota Corolla driven by a 65-year-old Brooksville woman hit her.” She was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries.
• On Jan. 10, stnonline.com also reported, “a teenager later identified as Maslin Mooney was a victim of a hit and run while walking to his bus stop. … The Sheriff’s office of St. Johns County stated that Mooney was discovered by a passerby at approximately 6:45 a.m. Lifesaving efforts were immediately initiated, and he was transported to a trauma center by air ambulance. The Sheriff’s Office added that the preliminary investigation revealed Mooney was walking to his bus stop—the scheduled pick-up was at 6:08 a.m.—but never made it to the location. As of Jan. 12, the Sheriff’s Office stated investigators identified and interviewed the suspect and seized the vehicle.”

Just prior to the accident that killed Martinz, First Coast News spoke with the Duval County Public Schools Superintendent, Christopher Bernier, about a new safety campaign they’re launching because of the number of students getting hit by cars on their way to and from school.

“Be safe, be seen,” said Bernier, referring to the campaign’s name. “Please, if you’re a driver watching this, be on the lookout for our children. We’ve had three fatalities this year with young people being hit to and from school.”

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, ensuring the safety of students during their daily commutes to and from school has become a paramount concern for parents, educators, and policymakers alike.

The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) and related technologies offers innovative solutions to enhance student safety, particularly during their journeys between home, bus stops, and school premises.

This comprehensive exploration delves into the significance of school safety, the role of IoT in safeguarding students, the application of RFID tags for student tracking, and the challenges posed by bus driver shortages.

The Significance of School Safety

School safety encompasses a broad spectrum of concerns, ranging from in-school incidents to the security of students during their commutes.

Parents entrust schools with not only the education but also the well-being of their children. 

Any lapse in safety can have profound implications, affecting student morale, parental trust, and the overall reputation of educational institutions.

Recent incidents, like the Florida incidents mentioned above, have heightened awareness about school safety measures.

The Role of IoT in Enhancing Student Safety

Ensuring the safety of students during their commutes to and from school bus stops is a paramount concern for school districts.

Implementing comprehensive strategies and leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) technology can significantly enhance student safety during these critical times.

IoT refers to a network of interconnected devices that communicate and exchange data in real time.

Strategies for School Districts to Enhance Student Safety

• Optimize Bus Stop Locations: Carefully selecting bus stop locations is crucial. Stops should be in areas with low traffic volumes, reduced speed limits, and minimal multi-lane crossings. Prioritizing locations with sidewalks or designated pedestrian paths further safeguards students.
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• Implement Stop-Arm Camera Enforcement: Equipping school buses with stop-arm cameras can deter and document illegal passing incidents, enhancing safety during boarding and disembarking. Collaboration with local law enforcement ensures effective enforcement of traffic laws.
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• Educate the Community: Conducting informational sessions raises awareness about the dangers surrounding school buses and emphasizes the importance of adhering to safety protocols. Engaging the community fosters a collective responsibility toward student safety.
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• Adjust Bus Routes to Minimize Street Crossings: Designing bus routes that reduce or eliminate the need for students to cross streets can significantly lower the risk of accidents. Utilizing advanced routing software can help create safer and more efficient routes.
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• Prepare for Extreme Weather Conditions: Establishing protocols for severe weather ensures student safety during harsh conditions. Decisions to delay or cancel school should consider the safety of students waiting at bus stops.
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Leveraging IoT Technology to Enhance Safety

• Real-Time Bus Tracking: IoT-enabled GPS devices installed on school buses allow parents and school administrators to monitor bus locations in real time, reducing uncertainty and waiting times at bus stops. 

• Student Tracking Systems: Integrating RFID tags with IoT systems enables real-time tracking of students boarding and alighting from buses, ensuring accurate attendance and preventing incidents of students being left behind. 

• Environmental Monitoring: IoT sensors can monitor environmental conditions, such as temperature and air quality, ensuring that students are not exposed to hazardous conditions during their commute. 

• Automated Stop-Arm Enforcement: IoT-enabled stop-arm cameras can automatically detect and record vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses, enhancing enforcement and deterring violations. 

• Driver Behavior Monitoring: IoT devices can monitor driver behavior, such as adherence to speed limits and safe driving practices, ensuring that bus drivers operate vehicles safely and thereby protecting students during transit. 

By implementing these strategies and embracing IoT technologies, school districts can create a safer environment for students commuting to and from bus stops, ensuring peace of mind for parents and the community.

As the only software solution that merges GPS Fleet Tracking and routing data into a new solution, Bytecurve360 is the fastest-growing technology serving the student transportation industry thanks to its ability to significantly improve: 

• Payroll operations, including the streamlining of different pay codes and jobs or tasks between and among staff members 
• Dispatching operations, including the ability to alter routes, runs and tasks in real-time to respond to later and/or absent drivers 
• Real-time app-powered communications, including the ability for drivers in the field to respond to route changes via the app

The integration of real-time tracking, optimized routing, student identification, behavior monitoring, effective communication, and data analytics collectively contributes to a safer and more efficient transportation system.

Features and Benefits of Parent Tracking Apps

In the quest to ensure student safety during daily commutes, parent-centric applications have also emerged as vital tools.

These apps empower parents with real-time information about their children’s whereabouts, fostering a sense of security and enabling prompt responses to potential issues.

Modern parent tracking applications offer a suite of functionalities designed to monitor and safeguard students:

• Real-Time Bus Tracking: Parents can monitor the exact location of school buses, allowing them to anticipate arrival times and reduce prolonged waiting periods at bus stops. For instance, the FirstView® tracking app provides GPS-based vehicle tracking, enabling parents to stay connected with their student’s trips. 
• Notifications and Alerts: These apps send instant notifications regarding bus arrivals, delays, or route changes, ensuring parents are informed of any deviations from the regular schedule. The ReaXium Parent app offers real-time notifications about the student’s estimated arrival time, pick-up, drop-off, and status along the routes. 
• Student Ridership Tracking: By integrating with RFID systems, some applications notify parents when their child boards or disembarks from the bus, confirming their safe transit. Treker, for example, lets parents know when the bus will arrive, when their child boards and unboards, and tracks the bus en route to school. 
• Two-Way Communication: Certain platforms facilitate direct communication between parents and school transportation departments, allowing for quick resolution of concerns. SchoolStatus pairs student data with family communication tools, providing a unified platform for educators who value family engagement to improve student outcomes. 

Addressing Privacy and Ethical Considerations

While these applications offer significant safety benefits, they also raise concerns regarding privacy and the potential for over-monitoring:

• Data Security: Ensuring that student location data is securely stored and transmitted is paramount to prevent unauthorized access.
• Balancing Oversight and Independence: Excessive monitoring can impede a child’s development of independence. It’s crucial for parents to use these tools judiciously, fostering trust while ensuring safety.
• Consent and Transparency: Older students should be informed about the tracking measures in place, promoting an environment of openness and mutual respect.

RFID Tags and Student Tracking

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has emerged as a pivotal tool in monitoring student movements, thereby enhancing safety during school commutes.

RFID systems consist of tags and readers. The tags, embedded with microchips, transmit data to readers via radio waves.

When affixed to student ID cards or belongings, these tags enable the tracking of student movements within and around school premises.

Applications in Schools

• Attendance Monitoring: RFID systems automate attendance recording, reducing manual errors and ensuring accurate records.
• Bus Boarding Verification: By installing RFID readers on school buses, schools can verify student boarding and disembarking, ensuring no child is left behind or boards the wrong bus.
• Access Control: RFID-enabled access systems restrict entry to authorized personnel, enhancing security within school buildings.

For instance, some schools have integrated RFID tags into student uniforms or ID cards, allowing seamless monitoring of attendance and movement and thereby ensuring student safety.

Benefits of RFID in Student Safety

• Enhanced Security: Continuous monitoring deters unauthorized activities and ensures students remain within safe zones.
• Operational Efficiency: Automation of attendance and access control streamlines administrative processes.
• Parental Assurance: Real-time updates on student whereabouts provide peace of mind to parents.

School Safety Amid Bus Driver Shortages

The transportation sector has been grappling with a shortage of bus drivers, exacerbating concerns about student safety during commutes. This shortage leads to:

• Increased Student Commute Times: Longer routes and delays can expose students to additional risks.
• Overcrowded Buses: Compromised supervision due to overcrowding can lead to safety incidents.
• Unfamiliar Drivers: Temporary or substitute drivers may lack familiarity with routes and student needs.

Technological Interventions to Mitigate Risks

To address these challenges, schools are adopting technological solutions:

• GPS Tracking Systems: Real-time tracking of buses ensures adherence to routes and schedules, allowing parents and administrators to monitor bus locations.
• Driver Monitoring: IoT devices can assess driver behavior, ensuring compliance with safety protocols and alerting authorities to any irregularities.
• Parent Communication Platforms: Mobile applications provide parents with real-time updates on bus locations, delays, and estimated arrival times, enhancing transparency and trust.

For example, some school districts have implemented systems that combine GPS tracking with RFID tags, providing comprehensive monitoring of both buses and students and thereby enhancing overall safety.

The Katy, Texas, Independent School District, for example, required all students to have Smart Tag ID cards for when they exited and entered the bus. Every bus ride, over 90,000 students will scan in and out to ensure they get where they need to be. 

The ID cards do not track student’s locations outside of the bus; they are used solely for tracking attendance on the school bus. Students tap their cards on a bus-installed tablet to board and exit. 

The tablet, which only works when the bus is stopped, includes a GPS device to report the location and speed of the bus to school officials and parents.

The tablet also allows drivers to manually check on a student in case they forget to bring their ID card with them.

Conclusion

The integration of IoT and related technologies presents a transformative approach to enhancing student safety during school commutes.

While challenges such as privacy concerns and ethical considerations persist, the benefits of real-time monitoring, operational efficiency, and parental assurance are compelling.

As schools navigate issues like bus driver shortages, technological interventions offer viable solutions to maintain and even elevate safety standards.

A balanced approach, emphasizing both technological innovation and ethical responsibility, is essential to safeguard our students in an increasingly connected world.

About Bytecurve

Founded in 2018 by GP Singh after many years on the frontline of student transportation operations with one of the country’s largest private student transportation providers, Bytecruve is designed as the 360 view of operations.

By blending routing and GPS fleet tracking data, and adding a payroll capability as well as mobile app for two-ways communications between dispatch and drivers, Bytecurve 360 has created a new category for student transportation excellence: the dispatch command center.

“We believe many school bus operators still don’t appreciate all the potential improvments they can deliver by taking two powerful yet independent systems and merging them into a new layer of visibility and action,” Singh said. “We’re integrated with all the major providers of routing systems and GPS fleet tracking so virtually any school district with both systems can take advantage of our transformative technology.”

Trusted by dozens of districts across North America, more than 40,000 school bus rely on Bytecurve technology to improve their efficiency and safety.

“I know from first hand experience what school bus fleet leaders need to perform at their best, and we work tirelessly on our product and with our customers to deliver this experience so they can know they are investing in the safest and most efficient fleet.”