While GPS School Vehicle Tracking System have been around for decades with numerous benefits, most people have a lot of myths or misconceptions about them. This prevents them from implementing the technology for their school bus fleet. Below given are some of the common misconceptions about GPS School Vehicle Tracking System.
Misconception #1
- GPS tracking is about monitoring students’ every move and intruding their privacy.
Truth
It is not about tracking every move of students or intruding their privacy. Rather, it is about providing safety and security to the children and also about reducing operating costs and tackling on field inefficiencies. It has been proven time and again that GPS systems can be used to reduce fuel consumption and maintenance costs. This is done mainly by efficient planning and routing.
Misconception #2
- All drivers will quit if GPS tracking system is implemented.
Truth
The system makes the job a lot easier for drivers. In fact it gives them additional security too. If a child has failed to get into the bus at the designated stop, the information gets reported to the concerned authorities and parents. The system helps to provide roadside assistance. It also reduces the amount of paper work they are required to submit.
Misconception #3
- Installation and use of GPS Tracking Systems are very complicated.
Truth
The GPS Tracking System has basic hardware installation and simple, easy to use web interfaces. Moreover, if the GPS provider is reputable, such as Edsys, then they will provide you with skilled experts to install hardware and the software. These technicians will be available at all times to cover service issues as well.
Misconception #4
- My mobile phones are enough for me to track my fleet. GPS systems are unnecessary.
Truth
They might have ushered in a communication revolution, but GPS tracking systems are far ahead of tracking just by mobile phones. They provide real-time vehicle location, valuable statistics such as history of stops and stop times, mileage, fuel consumption, or speeding patterns. With handheld devices, it is possible to track the location of people, but then they may not remember to switch on their mobile device, and moreover, students profiling becomes very difficult.
Misconception #5
- GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems are all the same
Truth
If you are not aware of the additional features provided by a GPS tracking system, you might tend to think that GPS systems are all the same. But the truth is completely different. There are systems that simply show the location of the school bus on the map to systems that provide valuable details that provide insights to make your fleet more efficient and effective.
There is difference in the equipment too. In the case of Edsys, the hardware is provided by Taximeter, one of the leading providers of taxi meters and fare meters in India. But even if the hardware is the same, experienced people know that it is the relationship with the provider that makes all the difference.
Misconception #6
- GPS Tracking Systems are expensive
Truth
While these systems were expensive a few decades ago, they are relatively affordable nowadays. Moreover, the savings they bring in by means of dealing with reckless driving, inefficient routing, excess overtime, side trips, excess engine idling, etc are far more than what they cost school managements.
Misconception #7
- GPS Tracking is a relatively new, unproven technology
Truth
GPS technology has been around for decades now, and has found applications in several fields. In fact, the era of the reliable standalone GPS systems that were so helpful for travellers are now being replaced by handheld devices. But handheld devices fall short when it comes to tracking vehicles including school buses, and hence GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems become vital for schools and parents looking for a reliable student safety system.