University Bus Tracking System Using Mobile

Application

A Project Report
by
Saklain Mostak

Department Of computer Science & Engineering

Pundra University of Science & Technology
Rangpur Road, Gokul, Bogura, Bangladesh

February ,2023

i
 University Bus Tracking System Using Mobile
Application

A Project Report
by
Saklain Mostak
ID: 01319106069
Batch: 13th

Submitted to
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering of Pundra
University of Science & Technology. This Report Presented in Partial
Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Bachelor of Science
In
Computer Science & Engineering
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
Pundra University of Science & Technology, Bogura.

February 2023

ii
University Bus Tracking System Using Mobile
Application

A Project Report
by
Saklain Mostak
ID: 01319106069
Batch: 13th

Approved as to style and content by

…................................................................
Md Rabiul Islam
(Supervisor)

Department of Computer Science & Engineering

Pundra University of Science & Technology, Bogura.

February 2023

iii
 CERTIFICATE
I am pleased to certify that Saklain Mostak . Roll No: 01319106069,
Reg-No:01319106069, Session: Spring-19 has performed a thesis
work entitled “University Bus Tracking Application Using Flutter”
under my supervision for the requirement of the completion of
course entitled ‘Project’. So far, as I am concerned this is an original
project carried out for one year at the Department of Computer
Science and Engineering, Pundra University of Science & Technology,
Bogura-5800, Bangladesh.
To be best of my knowledge, this paper has not been duplicated
from any other paper or submitted elsewhere prior to submission to
the department.

[Md Rabiul Islam]

Lecturer
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Pundra University of Science and Technology, Bogura-5800,
Bangladesh.

iv
 DEDICATION
In accordance with the rules and regulations of Pundra University of
Science & Technology following declarations are made I hereby
declare that this thesis has been done by me under the supervision
of Md. Rabiul Islam, Lecturer, Department of Computer Science and
Engineering, Pundra University of Science and Technology, Bogura-
5800.
I also declare that neither this project nor any part of this project has
been submitted elsewhere for awarding of any degree and any
material reproduced in this thesis has been properly acknowledged.

v
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

All praise to Allah who has created us and given us the greatest
status among all his creations. First of all, I express my gratefulness
to almighty Allah for enabling me to perform this task successfully. I
would like to express my deepest sense of gratitude to my honorable
supervisor Md Rabiul Islam, Lecturer, Department of Computer
Science & Engineering (CSE), Pundra University of Science
&Technology for his scholastic supervision, valuable guidance,
adequate encouragement, and helpful discussion throughout the
progress of this work. I am highly grateful to him for allowing me to
pursue this study under his supervision.
I am deeply thankful to the honorable chairman, Md. Habib Ehsanul
Haque, and all the respectable teachers of the Department of
Computer Science and Engineering, Pundra University of Science &
Technology, Bogura-5800, Bangladesh, for their encouragement and
help in the last few months that enabled me to acquire a lot of
knowledge relevant to my project work. Finally, I am very grateful to
my family members, especially to my parents, all my friends, and
well-wishers for their encouragement and support.

vi
 Abstract

University Bus Tracking Mobile Application is a mobile application to

help students detect the current location of the bus. It is a hybrid
mobile application. We can use android and iOS both. It can show
updated location. This project uses two mobile devices, which are
driver mobile and user mobile. The driver mobile will transmit the
data into a cloud database which is Firebase. User mobile read that
data and show the current location.

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 Table of Contents
Chapter 1........................................................................................................1
Introduction....................................................................................................1
1.1 Background:.................................................................................................1
1.2 Objective......................................................................................................2
1.3 Motivation...................................................................................................3
1.4 Methodology...............................................................................................3
Chapter 2........................................................................................................4
Features and Technology Platform..................................................................4
2.1 Features:......................................................................................................4
2.2 Platform:......................................................................................................4
2.2.1 Android:....................................................................................................4
2.2.2 IOS:............................................................................................................5
2.2.3 Web:.........................................................................................................5
2.3 Programming language:..............................................................................5
2.3.1 Dart:..........................................................................................................5
2.3.2 Features of Dart language:.......................................................................6
2.3.3 Why do we use Dart?...............................................................................6
2.4.1 Flutter:......................................................................................................7
2.4.1 Features of Flutter framework:................................................................7
2.4.2 Benefits of Flutter framework:.................................................................7
2.5 Database:.....................................................................................................8
2.5.2 Advantage of Firebase:.............................................................................8
2.6 Medium:......................................................................................................8
2.6.1 GPS, Google Map API:...............................................................................8
2.6.2 Uses of GPS mobile geolocation apps:.....................................................9
2.6.3 Set up Flutter environment for using google map API:............................9
2.6.4 Add to Google Maps Flutter plugin as a dependency:.............................9
2.6.5 Configuring Android min SDK :...............................................................10

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 2.6.6 API key for an Android app:....................................................................11
Chapter 3......................................................................................................13
Flowchart Diagram & Block Diagram.............................................................13
3.1 Flowchart:..................................................................................................13
3.2 Block Diagram:...........................................................................................14
Chapter 4......................................................................................................16
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS..........................................................................16
4.1 Introduction:..............................................................................................16
Chapter 5......................................................................................................18
Limitations....................................................................................................18
5.1 Limitation:..................................................................................................18
Chapter 6............................................................................................................19
Conclusion....................................................................................................19
6.1 Conclusion:...........................................................................................19
Chapter 7......................................................................................................20
References....................................................................................................20
7.1 References:................................................................................................20

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 List of Figures
Figure 1.1: Add to Google Maps Flutter plugin as a dependency......................10
Figure 2.1: Configuring Android min SDK...........................................................11
Figure 3.1: Adding an API key for an Android app.............................................12
Figure 4.1: Flowchart of University Bus Tracking System..................................13
Figure 5.1: Block Diagram of University Bus tracking System............................14
Figure 6.1: Registration for User and Driver.......................................................16
Figure 7.1: Login for User and Driver..................................................................17
Figure 8.1: Enable & View Location....................................................................17

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 Chapter 1
Introduction

In this chapter, we will introduce our project background, objectives

of the study, motivation, expected outcome, and assumption. In
section 1.1 we will discuss the background, in section 1.2 we will
discuss objectives, in section 1.3 in the section we will discuss
motivation, in 1.4 we will discuss Methodology

1.1 Background:
Vehicle tracking systems have been used in many applications. It was
first used in the shipping industry. Nowadays automated vehicle
tracking systems are being used in a variety of ways to track and
display vehicle locations in real time. Basically, the tracking system is
based on Global Positioning System (GPS) which communicates with
satellites. Bus Transportation already began on August 10, 1826, in
Nantes called Omnibus [1]. Omnibuses consist of 2 horses and can
hold 16 passengers at one time. The word bus is derived from the
Latin word which is Omnibus which carries the meaning of carriage
for all. After the development of the Omnibus, people kept inventing
similar architectures such as horsecars, cable car streetcars, and
modern buses. Public transportation in Malaysia starts to develop
during the British era.

Since then, public transportation in Malaysia is getting better over

time. However, over the years, many issues occurred such as the
time management of bus transportation decreased due to

1
environmental factors [2]. For example, in a university, the main
passengers are students and staff members. Currently, they are often
late to class and faculty because they decide to wait for the bus
without knowing the exact location of the bus. Most of them feel
unsure where the location of the bus. They do not know the current
location of the bus and they could not estimate the time of arrival
and time for them to get prepared. Other than that, not knowing the
unique identification for a bus will also complicate which bus they
should take. To reduce this inconvenience, a Real-Time Bus Tracking
System is developed. The system eases people in managing their
journey plans. The system's main function is to track a bus's exact
location. Other than that, the main objective of developers
developing a Real-Time Bus Tracking System is to motivate more
people to ride public transportation and increase their satisfaction.
This system can help reduce traffic congestion as well as
environmental impact.

1.2 Objective
Bus tracking systems are a great way to increase efficiency and make
sure your buses run during your valuable time. It provides you to
monitor the location, direction of commute, and other metrics about
your fleet in real time. This information is valuable for destinations
and even maintenance schedules. Real-time tracking is one of the
most important objectives of a GPS vehicle tracker. It helps to see
your vehicle's location in real-time and allows you to always keep an
eye on your bus, making it easy to track its whereabouts no matter
where you are. By monitoring your bus in real-time, you can keep
track of its location and movements, ensuring that they are being
used safely and efficiently. This not only helps to improve the overall
operation of your fleet but can also save you money in the long run.
It makes sure to use real-time tracking as one of your top priorities.

2
[3]
1.3 Motivation
Many countries have found that GPS tracking systems not only
improve the efficiency of their own bus operation but also encourage
commuters to take advantage of university bus tracking systems.
Many countries' bus systems have GPS tracking system permission
on monitoring the location and punctuality of their bus. The
application is totally free, and anyone can access it free of cost. The
basic idea for this project was to guide the bus passenger with the
routes, and all the possible stops that come on their way to the
destination and display maps and track their locations and show that.
The aim is to generate fast and accurate results and a safe commute.

1.4 Methodology
It is based on IoT technology that transmits the data over a network
to the GPS server. The location of the bus can be tracked through
monitoring software or a mobile app. With the help of the mobile
app, the student can see the bus's location on the map.[4]

3
 Chapter 2
Features and Technology Platform

2.1 Features:
The application is going to be a cross-platform application.
The application will be usable on mobile devices (Android, IOS) and
the web.
Users can download the application free of cost.
Students can track university bus locations very easily.
User-friendly UI, that anyone can use without technical knowledge.
Free account creation and many more.

• Platform: Android, IOS, Web

• Programming language: Dart
• User Interface Language: Flutter
• Database: Firebase
• Medium: GPS, Google Maps API
• Software: Visual Studio Code, Android Studio, Adobe
Photoshop, Figma
2.2 Platform:
2.2.1 Android:
Android is a mobile operating system based on a modified version of
the Linux kernel and other open-source software, designed primarily
for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
4
Android is developed by a consortium of developers known as the
open Handset Alliance, though its most widely used version is
primarily developed by Google.[5]
2.2.2 IOS: Apple (AAPL) iOS is the operating system for iPhone, iPad,
and other Apple mobile devices. Based on Mac OS, the operating
system which runs Apple’s line of Mac desktop and laptop
computers, Apple iOS is designed for easy, seamless networking
between a range of Apple products. [6]

2.2.3 Web:
The Web is the common name for the World Wide Web, a subset of
the Internet consisting of pages that can be accessed by a Web
browser. Many people assume that the Web is the same as the
Internet and use these terms interchangeably. However, the term
Internet refers to the global network of servers that makes the
information sharing that happens over the Web possible. So,
although the Web does make up a large portion of the Internet, they
are not one and the same. [7]

2.3 Programming language:

2.3.1 Dart: Dart is a general-purpose, high-level modern
programming language that was originally developed by Google. It is
a dynamic, class-based, object-oriented programming language with
closure and lexical scope.
It is an open-source programming language that is widely used to
develop mobile applications, modern web applications, desktop
applications, and IOT using by Flutter framework.

5
2.3.2 Features of Dart language:
Extensive library: It enables developers to properly namespace and
group Dart code into the necessary libraries.
Versatile compilation: Dart has the resilience needed to compile
code at lightning speed and supports the JIT (Just in Time) and AOT
(Always on Time) compilation techniques.
Security-based language:
It is a type-safe programming language that allows developers to
employ runtime and static type checking to ensure that a variable’s
value always matches its static type.
It also provides a big community.

2.3.3 Why do we use Dart?

• Dart is a cross platform language and supports all operating
systems.

• It is an object-oriented programming language and supports all

features of oops such as inheritance, interfaces, and optional
type features.[14]

• Dart is a very useful real-time application.

• It is an open-source language, which means it is available free

for everyone. It comes with a BSD license and is recognized by
the ECMA standard.

• Dart code to run in a command-line interface environment.[15]

6
 • Dart comes with the dart compiler which transmits the Dart
code into JavaScript code that runs on all modern web
browsers.

2.4 User Interface Language:

2.4.1 Flutter:
Flutter is Google's portable UI toolkit for crafting beautiful, natively
compiled mobile, web, and desktop applications from a single
codebase. Flutter works with existing code, is used by developers and
organizations around the world, and is free and open source. [8]
2.4.1 Features of Flutter framework:
1. Hot reloading
2. Rich widgets
3. Efficient user interface
4. Google Firebase assistance
2.4.2 Benefits of Flutter framework:
1. Simple to use
2. Available for all platforms
3. Fast MVP support
4. Single codebase
Flutter can build fully functional apps with a lot less code and it can
work with iOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and macOS. It always has
fast MVP support. Developers can manage their code more
efficiently because they don’t have to write separate code for both
platforms android & IOS. [13]

7
2.5 Database:
2.5.1 Firebase: Firebase is a set of hosting services, PHP, C++ ...). It
offers NoSQL and real-time hosting of databases for any type of
application (Android, iOS, JavaScript, Node.js, Java, Un, content,
social authentication (Google, Facebook, Twitter, and GitHub), and
notifications, or services, such as a real-time communication server.
[9]

2.5.2 Advantage of Firebase:

1. Real-time updating of data
2. Offline availability
3. Centralized database for all connected devices
4. Easy understanding
5.Cloud messaging

2.6 Medium:
2.6.1 GPS, Google Map API:
A Global Positioning System, also known as GPS, is a system of
satellites designed to help navigate on the Earth, in the air, and on
water. [10]
There are three elements of GPS these are Space (Satellites), Ground
control, and User equipment.

8
2.6.2 Uses of GPS mobile geolocation apps:
Location — Determining a position.
Navigation — It is getting from one location to another.
Tracking — Monitoring objects or personal movement.
Mapping — Creating a map of the world.
Timing — Making to take time measurements [12]

2.6.3 Set up Flutter environment for using google map API:

Needed two pieces of software to complete this lab Flutter SDK and
an editor like Android Studio, but It uses the preferred editor.
Mobile (Android or iOS) connected to the computer and set to
developer mode.The iOS simulator. (Requires installing Xcode
tools)The Android emulator. (Requires setup in Android Studio,
Visual Studio Code)

2.6.4 Add to Google Maps Flutter plugin as a dependency:

Adding the additional capability to use Pub packages. Add to Google
Maps Flutter plugin the following command:

9
 Figure 1.1: Add to Google Maps Flutter plugin as a dependency

2.6.5 Configuring Android min SDK :

To add minSDK at minSDKVersion 20. The path is

android/app/build.gradle as follows.

10
 Figure 2.1: Configuring Android min SDK

2.6.6 API key for an Android app:

To add an API key to the Android app

11
 Figure 3.1: Adding an API key for an Android app

Now it's time to see a map on the screen.

12
 Chapter 3
Flowchart Diagram & Block Diagram

3.1 Flowchart:

Figure 4.1: Flowchart of University Bus Tracking System.

13
3.2 Block Diagram:

Figure 5.1: Block Diagram of University Bus tracking System.

The tracking of the location is executed by using radio signals. The

satellites emit radio signals, and the GPS receiver receives signals
from the satellite to provide the exact location. The University Bus
Tracking System receives the coordinates from the satellite. Here, an
android app is designed to collect satellite data using Visual Studio
Code. Firebase, an online server, is a mobile and web development
platform provided by Google. [11]

Firebase Application is designed to deliver as an intermediate

communication medium between the driver app and the user app.

14
The user needs to select the desired bus and the current location can
see.

15
 Chapter 4
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1 Introduction:
In our system, the developed In-the University Bus Tracker
application was installed on a smartphone. In [Fig-5 & Fig-6] We use
Login the application to identify which user is making the request
and accordingly, serve related data to him/her. Registration is the
first step in identifying the user. After login, the driver will add
location and then enable location. Then the user can see the location
of the bus from his dashboard

Figure 6.1: Registration for User and Driver.

16
Figure 7.1: Login for User and Driver.

Figure 8.1: Enable & View Location

17
 Chapter 5
Limitations

5.1 Limitation:
There are some limitations in our project that we give in below:
1. Due to the short time, we cannot add more features to our
tracking system.
2. Due to the short time, we cannot apply accident detection, notify
the bus is in a jam, etc.

18
 Chapter 6
Conclusion

6.1 Conclusion:
In this system, we can add the extra feature of accident detection
and notify if the bus is in a jam If an accident occurs, the user will get
to know about the accident and detect the accident location which
will help to take any action. We have developed the 'University Bus
Tracking System' for one bus. This project is capable of being
implemented on all university buses of Pundra University of Science
& Technology. If our system can help at least one student, then it will
be a success for us.

19
 Chapter 7
References

7.1 References:

[1] Premiers omnibus à Nantes - Herodote.net. (2017, January 03).

Retrieved from https://www.herodote.net/10aou1826-
evenement18 26 08 10. php [Accessed April 04, 2018]
[2] Sejarah Bas Mini. (2013, September 20). Retrieved from
https://bm.ca ri.com.my/portal.php? mod=view&aid=4528 [Accessed
April 04, 2018]
[3] https://www.smartfits.co.uk/what-is-a-bus-tracking-system.
[4] https://flotillaiot.com/complete-guide-on-school-bus-gps-
tracking-software.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system.
[6] https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/apple-ios.asp .
[7] https://www.techopedia.com/definition/5613/web .
[8]https://docs.flutter.dev/resources/faq#:~:text=Performance
%20FAQ-,What%20is%20Flutter%3F,is%20free%20and%20open
%20source.
[9] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firebase.
[10] https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System .
[11] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firebase.
[12] https://www.geotab.com/blog/what-is-gps.

20
[13] https://www.turing.com/blog/flutter-vs-dart-best-platform-for-
app-development .
[14] https://www.javatpoint.com/dart-programming.
[15] https://www.javatpoint.com/dart-programming.

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