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Choosing Between In-Yard Wireless and Live View Wireless for School Buses

School Bus

Choosing Between In-Yard Wireless and Live View Wireless for School Buses

One of the biggest challenges that school bus transportation staff face is retrieving video footage from school buses. Staff have to enter each bus, find the recording devices, and remove hard drives or SD cards to access videos.

This process takes a lot of time, requires labor, and takes time away from daily operations. It also increases the risk of errors and delays in responding to incidents.

Gatekeeper offers two wireless solutions that offer remote access to video data: In-Yard Wireless and Live View Wireless. Understanding the differences between these systems can help you choose the right option for your school bus operations.

In-Yard Wireless: Automatic Video Downloads When Buses Return

What Is In-Yard Wireless?

When buses return to the yard, In-Yard Wireless connects via Wi-Fi to the bus’s Mobile Data Collector (MDC) and can begin downloading recorded video. In-Yard Wireless can be configured so that when a bus returns to the yard, the system can automatically download the recorded footage. In-Yard Wi-Fi eliminates the need to send staff to buses to manually pull video, saving time and labor.

Key Features:

  • Post-Record Video Download: Downloads recorded video when the bus is within Wi-Fi range at the yard.
  • Remote Access: Staff can access video data without entering the bus.
  • No More Physical Retrieval: Addresses the major challenge of manually pulling video.

Benefits of In-Yard Wireless:

  • Time Savings: Automates video retrieval, freeing up staff for other key tasks.
  • Fewer Errors: Reduces the risk of mistakes during manual video retrieval.
  • Faster Incident Review: Provides quicker access to footage for timely responses.
  • Fewer Equipment Costs: Reduces the need for spare MDCs used in swapping for video pulls.

Case Study: Rutherford County Schools

Rutherford County Schools faced multiple challenges in managing video for their fleet of over 350 buses. The manual process they were using was time-consuming and inefficient. By switching to Gatekeeper’s In-Yard Wireless, they:

  • Reduced the time spent on video retrieval.
  • Avoided hiring additional staff for video management.
  • Addressed disciplinary issues promptly.
  • Ensured cameras functioned correctly through better equipment monitoring.

Live View Wireless: Real-Time Access and Monitoring on the Road

What Is Live View Wireless?

Live View Wireless provides real-time access to all data on the MDC while the bus is on the road. It uses cellular connectivity to allow authorized personnel to view live video feeds, access live GPS tracking, and monitor all MDC data from any location with internet access.

Many school districts have to pay a separate GPS provider for location access to their fleet. With Live View, school districts can save on costs because real-time GPS data is included, as well as other key data points such as vehicle speed.

Live View also has the benefit of providing districts with the ability to respond to incidents immediately. Imagine the value of having live video on a bus where a weapon has been reported. Live View means that you can always know what is happening on your buses, no matter where they are.

Key Features

  • Real-Time Video Access: Offers live video streaming from the bus for quick incident response.
  • Live GPS Tracking: Tracks the exact location of the entire fleet in real-time.
  • Speed Monitoring: Monitors vehicle speed for safety and compliance.
  • No Physical Retrieval: Eliminates the need to enter buses to access data.

Benefits of Live View Wireless:

  • Immediate Incident Response: Staff can view live footage and act quickly.
  • Behavior Monitoring: Monitors student and driver behavior in real-time.
  • Cost Savings on GPS Services: Eliminates the cost of using a separate GPS provider.
  • Advanced System Monitoring: Ensures all equipment functions properly through AI-powered Health Check.

Comparing In-Yard Wireless and Live View Wireless

Both solutions offer remote access and eliminate the need to pull video from buses manually. Here are the main differences:

In-Yard Wireless:

  • Function: Downloads recorded video when buses return to the yard.
  • Connectivity: Uses Wi-Fi access points installed at the depot.
  • Ideal For: Streamlining video management without live monitoring.

Live View Wireless:

  • Function: Provides real-time access to video and data while buses are on the road.
  • Connectivity: Uses cellular networks for continuous connection.
  • Ideal For: Immediate incident response and comprehensive monitoring.
  • Additional Features: Includes live GPS tracking, speed monitoring, and advanced health checks.
  • Savings: No need to pay for a separate GPS service.

Part of the G4 Vision Suite

Both In-Yard Wireless and Live View Wireless are part of the G4 Vision suite, which offers connectivity and control over your fleet’s video and data systems. Features of G4 Vision include:

  • Video Management: Manage all of your video in an easy-to-use platform
  • Driver Emergency Alert Button: Allows drivers to trigger immediate video uploads in emergencies.
  • Scheduled Wireless Transfer: Enables pre-defined video downloads.
  • Wireless Configuration of MDCs: Adjust MDC settings remotely.
  • Event-Based Automatic Wireless Transfer: Triggers video downloads based on specific events.

Media Analytics Health Check:

Both of Gatekeeper’s wireless solutions also offer true end-to-end Health Check by using Media Analytics. Unlike standard checks that only confirm if a camera is powered on, Media Analytics analyzes the actual camera view. It can detect if a camera is blocked, out of focus, or pointed incorrectly. This proactive monitoring ensures that all cameras are working correctly and capturing important footage.

Conclusion

Eliminating the need to manually pull video from buses manually addresses one of the biggest challenges for school bus transportation departments. While both In-Yard Wireless and Live View Wireless are a valuable solution, Live View Wireless provides additional features that can improve safety, fleet management, and cost savings. Understanding these differences will help you choose the solution that fits your operational needs.