Where is My City Bus Tracking Application Using Wi-fi Strengths

Abstract - The increasing demand for efficient and real-time public transportation tracking systems has led to the widespread adoption of GPS-based solutions. However, GPS systems often face limitations such as high implementation cost, signal unavailability in indoor or dense environments, and reduced accuracy in controlled areas like campuses. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a Wi-Fi Based Bus Tracking System titled “Where Is My city Bus Tracking Application using Wi-fi Strengths”, which utilizes nearby Wi-Fi signals for location detection instead of relying on GPS. The proposed system operates by scanning available Wi-Fi networks and analyzing their SSID (Service Set Identifier) and RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) values to determine the bus’s current location. Each Wi-Fi access point is pre-mapped to specific bus stops, enabling the system to identify the nearest location based on signal strength. The bus device continuously performs Wi-Fi scanning, selects the strongest known network, and updates the current location dynamically. To ensure real-time data availability, the system integrates with Firebase Realtime Database, which synchronizes location updates between the bus device and the passenger mobile application developed using Flutter. Users can track the live bus location, while the system also incorporates offline detection using timestamp monitoring to identify inactive or disconnected devices. The system leverages Wi-Fi positioning techniques such as proximity-based detection and RSSI-based estimation, providing a low-cost and energy-efficient alternative to traditional tracking systems. However, challenges such as signal fluctuations, environmental interference, and overlapping Wi-Fi networks are considered and addressed through optimized threshold logic and network filtering mechanisms. Experimental observations demonstrate that the proposed system performs effectively in controlled environments such as campuses or predefined routes, offering reliable tracking with minimal infrastructure requirements. Although the accuracy is lower compared to GPS in open outdoor environments, the system proves to be a practical and scalable solution for localized transportation tracking. In conclusion, the proposed Wi-Fi-based tracking system combines IoT, real-time cloud synchronization, and mobile application development to deliver an innovative, cost-effective, and efficient alternative to conventional GPS-based tracking systems. Key Words: Wi-Fi Based Tracking, RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), SSID Mapping, Indoor Positioning System, Firebase Realtime Database, Flutter Mobile Application, IoT-Based Tracking, Proximity Detection, Real-Time Location Tracking, Signal Strength Analysis