I was involved with research and development for a vehicle/fleet telemetry company. (about 18 months ago, NDA expired so i can finally talk to this) The idea was to use a data-enable gps tracking unit in a vehicle (which uses a cell phone modem) and transmit speed of school buses, doors open/closed, etc... as well as tracking data to a central database. I helped to develop something called the Student Accountability System . This has NOT taken off in the USA. however it is pretty interesting. The first iteration of it had each student carrying a bar-coded id, and an aid scanning each bar code getting on the bus. I developed a major improvement for this system using an RFID reader and two antennas. (for those who dont know what RFID is, think ezpass for tolls, or mobil speedpass)
Antenna 1 was over the bus door. therefore the students would be marked on/off the bus as they got on.
Antenna 2 was for something different. We tested with a Pre-K-2nd grade school where all the seats were safeguard S.T.A.R Plus'. I experimented with a 2-part rfid tag mounted on the buckle, which looked like a thin sticker with VERY strong adhesive. this was on the rear of the buckle, so it didnt change any safety aspect. The second part was adhered to the nearby waist straps. I set the limit between the two elements to be about 3 inches.
The data was organized as follows:
student on bus + both tags within 3 inches -- O.K.
student not on bus + any other data -- OK
Student on bus + restraint unbuckled -- Alert sent to transit manager's pager.
This system also allowed for over-speed alerts and geographic map based fencing. It would have been a major safety improvement to students everywhere if it caught on, however, it didn't.
P.S. riding at 7 am with a busload of children and a laptop reading data can drive someone crazy; I gained alot of respect for bus drivers after seeing what they deal with on a daily basis.
Antenna 1 was over the bus door. therefore the students would be marked on/off the bus as they got on.
Antenna 2 was for something different. We tested with a Pre-K-2nd grade school where all the seats were safeguard S.T.A.R Plus'. I experimented with a 2-part rfid tag mounted on the buckle, which looked like a thin sticker with VERY strong adhesive. this was on the rear of the buckle, so it didnt change any safety aspect. The second part was adhered to the nearby waist straps. I set the limit between the two elements to be about 3 inches.
The data was organized as follows:
student on bus + both tags within 3 inches -- O.K.
student not on bus + any other data -- OK
Student on bus + restraint unbuckled -- Alert sent to transit manager's pager.
This system also allowed for over-speed alerts and geographic map based fencing. It would have been a major safety improvement to students everywhere if it caught on, however, it didn't.
P.S. riding at 7 am with a busload of children and a laptop reading data can drive someone crazy; I gained alot of respect for bus drivers after seeing what they deal with on a daily basis.
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