A smart bus tracking system based on location-aware services and QR codes

When it comes to taking the public transportation, time and patience are of essence. In other words, many people using public transport buses have experienced time loss because of waiting at the bus stops. In this paper, we proposed smart bus tracking system that any passenger with a smart phone or mobile device with the QR (Quick Response) code reader can scan QR codes placed at bus stops to view estimated bus arrival times, buses´ current locations, and bus routes on a map. Anyone can access these maps and have the option to sign up to receive free alerts about expected bus arrival times for the interested buses and related routes via SMS and e-mails. We used C4.5 (a statistical classifier) algorithm for the estimation of bus arrival times to minimize the passengers waiting time. GPS (Global Positioning System) and Google Maps are used for navigation and display services, respectively.