Driver training 101: this page explains how drivers can track student bus attendance with the Stop Check feature on Crosswalk K-12. Regardless of one’s level of experience with tablets, the following guide provides straightforward explanations of how drivers can effectively use this technology. Continue reading to learn more about the driver user experience on our transit solution.
Driver Dashboard on Crosswalk K-12
To begin, drivers arrive to the Dashboard after logging-in. This is where all of the magic happens between accessing Stop Check, performing a Maintenance Inspection, generating Stop Check Reports, in addition to requesting Field Trips. As shown below, it’s also a simple procedure to follow:
1. Under Live Maps in the Dashboard, click Stop Check. From a user experience, Stop Check is among the most important tools at a driver’s disposal. Meant to accompany drivers on their runs, this is where they have access to routes and student bus stop assignments throughout the school district.
NOTE: Another way to navigate the driver-side of Crosswalk K-12 is by using the menu on the upper right-hand corner where there are three lines. Everything displayed in the Dashboard is also visible here, including the ability to edit driver profiles. More capabilities include UniteGPS’ Privacy Policy, return to the Dashboard, log-out, coordinate Field Trips, as well as view the Stop Check Report.
Stop Check for drivers on Crosswalk K-12
2. When clicking Stop Check from the Dashboard, the screen takes users to the map where they select a route from the left-hand menu.
3. Confirm by pressing yes.
NOTE: What do drivers do if they accidentally chose the wrong route? On the tablet, they can refresh the page by swiping down from the top-center of the screen. As a result, this will deselect the route, allowing drivers to choose again.
4. Follow the route numbers in chronological order. In case they’re out of sequence, then be sure to check out our manual on how to change around bus stops on Crosswalk K-12.
NOTE: What happens if the driver selects the incorrect route but performs their runs anyway? This is more irreversible since the data will automatically be recorded. For example, if you select the AM route instead of the PM by mistake but still perform the run, the data for the PM route will overwrite the AM data. A best practice for drivers is to always double-check that they’ve clicked on the appropriate route before hopping on the road!
How drivers track bus attendance
5. Students assigned to the stop will appear when the bus approaches, which allows them to utilize their key fob or card to swipe on and off the bus. In turn, each entry gets recorded over Crosswalk K-12 and retrievable the following day for analysis on Stop Check Report.
NOTE: Depending on the school district’s preferences, data is recorded in one of three ways:
- ID cards
- Drivers scan students’ ID cards to document bus attendance.
- Key fobs
- Students using a key fob-based system tap their devices on the tablet. This will require pressing the “Allow NFC” on the bottom left-hand corner of the map as pictured below.
- Manual entry
- If students forgot their ID cards or key fobs, drivers can pull-up the roster by pressing Touch Pick-up/Drop-off. Demonstrated below, this is where drivers tap on the student’s name to record pick-up or drop-off.
NOTE: On one hand, the Touch Pick-up/Drop-off feature helps driver become more acquainted with students, especially when their pictures appear. Secondly, it’s a practical and sometimes mandatory solution in case students don’t have their card or key fob. When the driver taps on the student photo, the color behind the student’s name changes to green to indicate selection. Once the driver selects the save button in the lower-right corner, the student will either be marked as boarded or alighted in the Stop Check Report.
How to use Override Route Selection on Stop Check
6. Let’s say that a driver is sick and somebody needs to cover their shift. If so, this is where the Override Route Selection plays a huge role in Crosswalk K-12. When clicking the blue button, each available route within the district appears in the drop-down menu. All drivers need to do is select the route to assign to themselves for 24 hours.
Center of Bus tool
7. Press this green toggle-button to turn off the Center of Bus feature that keeps the vehicle’s real-time location centered on the screen for drivers. For some, this can be useful while following the tablet on the road. When you turn this orientation off, the button will turn red so drivers can explore the map without it always snapping back to center.
Be sure to check out our other blog teaching drivers all about the reporting tools on Crosswalk K-12!