The system will transmit latitude and longitude information to the dispatch center, allowing NVUSD personnel to monitor location information on buses as they pick up and drop-off children along their routes, helping to increase efficiency, reduce operating costs and improve safety.

NVUSD buses transport nearly 1,700 students twice daily across an area encompassing 259 square miles, with half of all bus routes including students with special needs.

The entire NVUSD fleet of 70 school buses will be outfitted with mounted Nextel i58sr GPS-enabled handsets.

Each handset is equipped with TeleNavTrack, a GPS application developed by Televigation, a transportation software developer, as well as Nextel Direct Connect walkie-talkie service.

This allows for instant voice communications between drivers, the NVUSD dispatchers and bus lots. It also gives drivers the capability to contact 911 in an emergency situation.

"The safety of the children and peace of mind for the parents is our number one priority," said Ralph Knight, director of transportation for Napa Valley Unified School District.

"This system allows us to monitor and locate any and all school buses instantly. We will always know the location of our students, drivers and buses in spite of weather, traffic, or any other event. "Additionally, the information we generate through GPS tracking will allow us to design bus routes that maximize fleet efficiency."

The mobile device receives data from the network of GPS satellites and wirelessly transmits its location information on Nextel's all-digital network to servers that authorized users can access from a workstation monitored by dispatchers at the school system's transportation center.

Bus locations are displayed on a map, allowing dispatch to quickly recognize if a bus is delayed or off course.

Minute-by-minute updates of bus locations and speed of travel offer the ability to view an exact bus route and generate reports over any period of time. Location data can be stored to help manage buses more effectively.

"GPS tracking gives NVUSD the ability to locate its buses, where they are traveling and how to get them to their destination in the most efficient manner," said John Salamida, Nextel's senior manager for the education vertical, West Region.

"If there is a delay or a break down, district officials know immediately and they can communicate with the bus driver instantly via Direct Connect walkie-talkie service to provide assistance. This combination of visibility and access cannot be underestimated given the precious cargo riding on these buses."

Napa Valley Unified School District

Located just north of the San Francisco Bay, Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD) encompasses 259 square miles and serves 87 per cent of the public school population in Napa County. NVUSD's 16,500 students attend 21 elementary, four middle, and four high schools.

In addition a comprehensive adult education program provides services community-wide.

The District employs 980 full and part time certificated staff (teachers, principals, counselors, nurses, librarians, etc.) and 660 full and part time classified staff (clerical, food services, bus drivers, instructional assistants, maintenance, grounds, etc.).

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