GPS satellites circle the earth in a very precise orbit and transmit signal information to earth. GPS transponders on the school bus take the information from the Department of Defense satellites, use triangulation to calculate the vehicles's exact location, and transmit that location via VHF or UHF radio signal, or through the cellular system, to a series of towers in the seven county Metropolitan area.

• When the ignition is turned to the "on" position.
• The location of the school bus at any specific point in time.
  
• The route the school bus takes from from the time it leaves the terminal until it returns to the terminal.
  
• All stops made by the bus, including stop signs, student pickups and drop-offs, railroad crossings, layovers, and waiting at schools, and the length of time of those stops.
• Vehicle speed at any given time or location.

• Rapidly resolve complaints of late buses, missed stops, or deviation from route sequences.
• Assist drivers who are unfamiliar with an area.
• Monitor any school bus crossings of the three weight restricted bridges in Saint Paul.
• Rapidly resolve any complaints of vehicle speeding.
• Rapidly locate and respond to a driver requesting assistance who may not be able to provide an accurate location.
• Immediately dispatch the nearest District safety and/or police vehicle to an accident or a driver in need of assistance.
  

• Provided accurate data on actual school bus pickup location times and school arrival times that assist with efficient routing, parent inquiries, and school communications.
• Significantly improved school bus security for drivers and students,
• Significantly reduced unauthorized use of school buses for personal business.
• Assisted in more rapidly responding to breakdowns and other emergency situations.