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SPECIAL REPORT


School Bus Wi-Fi: A Turning Point In Transportation Technology


Written By Julie Metea A


s the next generation of mobile networks emerges, school transportation is still coming around with onboard bus Wi-Fi. It has been about a decade since the first 4G networks


appeared in the U.S., and they have been fast enough to support real-time GPS and tracking applications on some fleets of school buses. The networks also have been strong enough to sup-


port widespread disruption in transportation through ridesharing applications. With 5G networks emerging, there are expectations of greater advancement in aug- mented-reality shopping, virtual presence at live events, telemedicine and self-driving vehicles.


5G is on the Rise Student transporters can expect a wide range of 5G ap-


plications to emerge by 2021 or 2022, according to AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. The now big-three—following Sprint’s merger into T-Mobile—are currently investing in 5G networks through initial programs in larger U.S. cities, from Los Angeles to New York City. In the United Kingdom, FirstGroup and Blu Wireless


launched a project in February on the South Western Railway, to boost connectivity on trains through 5G technology. The new technology can process data 100 times faster than 4G technology, meaning it will be easier for riders to enjoy consistent and fast Wi-Fi con- nectivity during their trip.


As school buses and other areas of transit become


more connected with more applications, the need for 5G will grow. “There is great potential for 5G networks in the long term, as school districts start to incorporate more cameras on buses,” explained Dan Clem, a product man- ager at Zonar. “5G will be the best way to stream driver coaching, stop-arm violation capture, security inside and outside the bus, or any other number of use cases.” Currently, the majority of school bus operations needs


are met with existing 3G and 4G capabilities. School districts that have invested in Wi-Fi on buses are now receiving a lot in return.


Keeping Students on Track All 71 school buses used by Raytown Quality Schools,


located about 10 miles southeast of Kansas City, Missouri, are now equipped with Wi-Fi. The fleet-wide installation followed a successful pilot program that started with six buses. Technology companies Synovia and Kajeet provided the hardware and software to help the district’s transporta- tion team track 53 daily routes via GPS in real-time. Using an app called “Here Comes the Bus,” students


know exactly when the bus will show up at their stop, and parents receive real-time notifications that their children were picked-up and dropped-off at assigned locations. The district has set up about 1,500 users on the app, which secures the data transmission from unauthorized users.


5G will be the best way to stream driver coaching, stop- arm violation capture, security inside and outside the bus or any other number of use cases.”


— Dan Clem, Zonar 20 School Transportation News • SEPTEMBER 2019


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