Frequently Asked Questions

1. What technology is used for school bus tracking?
2. How accurate is school bus tracking?
3. How often do the school buses report their locations?
4. Can I see every time a school bus stops and opens a door?
5. Can we see our entire fleet on a map at one time?
6. Does the screen automatically update the location of the school buses?
7. Can we have multiple users monitoring our school bus fleet at the same time?
8. Is there software to install in order to track our buses and students?
9. How long does it take to start tracking our bus fleet?
10. Can our school bus maintenance team install the hardware?
11. What technology is used to track students on school buses?
12. How does student tracking work?
13. Could we use the student tracking technology in other places in the school district?
14. How many buses and students can be tracked at one time?
15. Can I divide my school bus fleet into sub-fleets?
16. What does school bus and student tracking cost?
17. Can I view past travel information for the school buses?
18. How is the identity of students protected?

1. What technology is used for school bus tracking?
The School Bus Roster system utilizes a GPS locating and cellular communication device to report all school bus tracking information. These devices allow administrators to see the current location, speed, and direction a bus is traveling. Additionally, school administrators responsible for the bus fleet can know if a bus is idling, where the door was opened, if the bus is moving or stopped, the daily mileage traveled and more.
The actual tracking software, used by school officials, is completely Web-based. That means that there is no software for the school district to install on their computers.
The software is intuitive and easy to train on. Typically, school district employees can complete their training and be fully efficient performing tracking duties in about 30 minutes.

2. How accurate is school bus tracking?
The GPS technology we use is accurate to within 3 meters. Practically, that means we can tell you what parking spot a school bus is parked in or what lane on a road the bus is in.

3. How often do the school buses report their locations?
The School Bus Roster system is very configurable. School buses can be configured to report their locations as frequently as every second or as seldom as you would like. For most applications, school buses are configured to report their location every 30-90 seconds.
The School Bus Roster system also has a feature where administrators can configure the auto reporting rate "on-the-fly". This allows administrators to reduce the frequency of auto locates when a bus is being used for field trips or similiar events.
The frequency of auto locates is the primary means by which school bus and student tracking is impacted. Your School Bus Roster salesperson can explain the impacts and pricing options associated with the frequency of auto locates.

4. Can I see every time a school bus stops and opens a door?
Yes. School buses can be equiped with the ability to know when the door is opened and closed. This is a requirement when purchasing student tracking.

5. Can we see our entire fleet on a map at one time?
Yes. The default view of the School Bus Roster software is a view of your entire fleet on a single map.

6. Does the screen automatially update the location of the school buses?
Yes. Every 2 minutes the locations of the fleet vehicles updates automatically. So, your dispatch personnel can watch the school bus fleet's movement throughout the day without ever having to click "refresh".

7. Can we have multiple users monitoring our school bus fleet at the same time?
Yes. There is virtually no limit to the number of users that can be logged into the tracking system at one time.

8. Is there software to install in order to track our buses and students?
Because the School Bus Roster system, powered by Track What Matters, is completely Web-based, there is no software for school districts to install on their computers.

9. How long does it take to start tracking our bus fleet?
Generally it takes less than 2 weeks from the issuing of a purchase order to the start of full school bus tracking. You can find more detailed information on the Timelines page.

10. Can our school bus maintenance team install the hardware?
Generally, anyone qualified to install a car stereo is qualified to install school bus and student tracking. School Bus Roster provides a comprehensive installation document and technical support by phone.

11. What technology is used to track students on school buses?
Student tracking, on your school buses, is done by incorporating simple, inexpensive bar-coded student ID cards with a mounted infrared scanner on your school buses. The student ID scans are sent to the School Bus Roster servers and then reported to users through the online tracking software.

12. How does student tracking work?
The School Bus Roster system combines the school bus tracking features with student card swipe tracking. Basically, students entering and exiting the school buses will pass their bar-coded ID cards beneath the card scanner. With each scan, the student's ID, the bus they are riding, the time of the card swipe, and the buses location are sent to the School Bus Roster servers. Then, the student card swipe information is immediately avaiable for School Bus Roster users to see within the application.

13. Could we use the student tracking technology in other places in the school district?
Reuse of technology is an important cost-saving tool. Student ID cards can be used throughout your school district. It is even possible to utilize inexpensive barcode scanners at the doors of every classroom to cut down on time spent taking class attendance. Your School Bus Roster salesperson can discuss more options with you.

14. How many buses and students can be tracked at one time?
There is no limit to the number of buses and students that can be tracked at one time.

15. Can I divide my school bus fleet into sub-fleets?
Yes. Though there is no limit to the number of buses that can be tracked at one time, it is usually necessary for the purpose of usability to subdivide school bus fleets. If your fleet is over 50, your salesperson will discuss this option with you. If your fleet is smaller and you would like to better organize it, just ask.

16. What does school bus and student tracking cost?
Pricing varies based on requirements for frequency of auto-locates, studen tracking requirements, custom development requirements, government regulations, and other factors. The quote process is very simple and can be completed for you in a short amount of time. Please call for a custom quote at 800-293-0420.

17. Can I view past travel information for the school buses?
Absolutely. We keep almost all data online for years. If ever you need data that has been archived, that can be restored and made available to you.

18. Can I view past travel information for the school buses?
The protection of students' identities and personal safety is of chief importance. Therefore, no student information is kept on the School Bus Roster servers. Student ID cards simply contain the students' 8 digit ID. The School Bus Roster servers hold no student information other than ID card scans.