A Cross-Platform Vehicle Tracking System for Pabna University of Science and Technology with Android and Web Interfaces

A Cross-Platform Vehicle Tracking System.

Abstract

In recent years, the development of cross-platform applications has gained increasing popularity due to their ability to enhance accessibility, usability, and functionality across multiple devices. This paper proposes a cross-platform vehicle tracking system for Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST), addressing key challenges in vehicle management, transportation efficiency, and security. The system includes both android and web interfaces designed to provide real-time location monitoring of university vehicles. The primary problems identified are the inefficient tracking of university vehicles, lack of security in vehicle usage, and suboptimal route management. To address these issues, our system leverages modern technologies such as the Google Maps API, Node.js, and the Real-time Firebase Database. The Android app and web-based interfaces allow authorized users to track the real-time location of university vehicles, access detailed vehicle information, and review historical routes. Additionally, the system issues real-time alerts for unauthorized usage or irregular activities. The embedded system uses a Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) for tracking and positioning vehicles. The ESP8266 NodeMCU is interfaced serially with a GPS module Ublox NEO6M Receiver to continuously monitor and report vehicle status. The GPS module sends the vehicle’s position (latitude and longitude) to the real-time Firebase database, which then transmits this data to the mobile and web interfaces. The proposed system underwent comprehensive user acceptance tests, yielding satisfactory results that attest to its potential for enhancing vehicle management, transportation efficiency, and security at PUST. This paper details the design, development, and evaluation of the system, highlighting its benefits and outlining future research directions.