The use of GPS technology in public transportation such as buses and taxis is increasing rapidly. Listed below are a few of the ways that it has been used or might be used in the future. If you would like to share additional ideas on how GPS can be used please email them to:
GPS Use in Public Transportation:
School
Bus Tracking: GPS tracking can be used to monitor
school buses. This will enable school officials
to continuously know the location of all buses,
route them more efficiently, monitor speeding and
cut costs.
Snow
Plow Tracking: GPS tracking units placed on
snow plows can keep track of the location of all
plows at any time and record the areas which have
been serviced. They can also be used for more effective
routing and to confirm the services of contractors.
GPS-Equipped
Bus Routes: The city of Edinburgh, Scotland
has a "Bustracker" system that tracks
the location of city buses. When an emergency or
crime occurs the bus location is immediately available.
In addition the bus transmitts its location and
speed and this information is used to display estimated
time of arrivals at street-side bus stops.
GPS-Equipped
Taxi Cabs: Tracking taxi cabs with GPS can yield significant cost savings and customer satisfaction. When a call for a cab comes in the dispatcher can use a GPS tracking system to locate the cab nearest to the pick-up. This saves not only vehicle miles but the customer also gets picked up faster and to his destination happier.
