Improving Transportation Management by Real-Time Bus Tracking using GPS

Abstract

This study aims to present an innovative real-time bus tracking system using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to enhance public transportation management. The research addresses current challenges faced by public transportation systems, such as traffic congestion and bus delays, and proposes a technological solution that improves service efficiency and passenger satisfaction. The proposed system includes modules for central management, individual bus tracking, and information display at bus stops, providing accurate data on bus location, speed, and estimated arrival times. The prototype was developed using the Waterfall Model methodology, focusing on modular design and effective client-server communication. Functional and usability testing results showed promising performance for the system, confirming its ability to improve passenger experience and reduce environmental pollution caused by congestion. The study recommends further development to include advanced security features and communication enhancements to improve the system’s reliability and widespread applicability in smart cities.

Introduction

Public transportation is vital for urban development but faces challenges like traffic congestion, delays, and lack of real-time passenger information, which reduce service efficiency and push people toward private vehicles, worsening congestion and pollution. Traditional fixed schedules lack flexibility, causing passenger uncertainty and long waits. Providing accurate, real-time arrival information has been shown to improve passenger confidence and satisfaction.

This paper proposes an integrated real-time bus tracking system using GPS technology to enhance fleet management and provide accurate bus location and arrival times to passengers. The system is designed with a client-server architecture, comprising a central server, bus units, and bus stop units, all communicating via TCP/IP. The database efficiently manages buses, routes, stops, and drivers, ensuring reliable data handling.

The system includes interfaces for administrators (managing buses, routes, stops, and monitoring), bus drivers (displaying location, schedule adherence, and emergency reporting), and passengers (showing bus locations, estimated arrivals, and traffic status). The development followed a structured Waterfall methodology with phases from planning to maintenance.

Testing confirmed that all system components function correctly, with efficient real-time communication capable of handling multiple simultaneous connections with fast response times. This integrated system aims to improve public transportation efficiency, passenger experience, and support smart city goals through advanced technologies like GPS, IoT, and data analytics.

Conclusion

This study aimed to analyze, design, and implement a prototype of an automated public transportation management system, focusing on real-time bus tracking using GPS technology. A structured software development methodology was followed, starting from requirements definition, through design and implementation, to testing and evaluation. The results showed that the proposed system is capable of providing accurate and reliable information about bus locations and estimated arrival times, contributing to improved public transportation service efficiency and passenger satisfaction. The main contributions of this study are the provision of a comprehensive architectural design for a real-time bus tracking system and a practical implementation demonstrating how to integrate GPS, TCP/IP, and Google Maps technologies to provide an integrated solution. The system’s effectiveness was also verified through unit and usability tests, which showed strong functional performance and good user acceptance.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Yousif Hamad Ahmed Abdelhafed. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.