GPS and Indian Politics

CC Image courtesy of Stephan Rebernik via Flickr

In December 2012, a 23-year-old woman and her male companion boarded a private bus near South Delhi after a night out. The couple was immediately assaulted, and the woman was repeatedly raped by the male passengers as well as the driver of the bus. The woman later died from the injuries she sustained in the attack. The incident caused immediate public and violent outcry against a government that fails to protect its citizens, especially its female citizens. Laws were passed and changes implemented to protect passengers on public transportation, including a plan to install GPS-enabled navigation and surveillance equipment in all buses, cluster buses, and autorickshaws.

A Flawed Plan

In order to provide protection and security for its women, many of whom have no other means of getting around than public transportation or private buses, the Indian government decided to outfit all modes of transportation with GPS equipment in 32 cities throughout the country. But citizens may not be getting the high level of protection they expect because the large companies that manufacture GPS devices won’t do business with the government.

• Mapmy India has an annual revenue of more than $16.5 million and a growth rate of 800% over the last 5 years. They provide not only navigation devices but also surveillance equipment, but their head of marketing, Deepro Ganguly, says that working with the government “is very opaque. There is way too much confusion.”

• Arya Omnitalk Wireless Solutions is another large company in India that provides global positioning system services to Delhi police vans as well as radio taxis and corporate fleets. They have approximately 400 employees, but the company’s chief operating officer and chief technology officer, Saumil Dhru, reports that “in government tenders, there are so many unorganized players. There is no point in putting time and energy in these.”

Companies like these argue that the government has low entry barriers that allow smaller, less organized, and often low budget companies win bids for government contracts. They also complain that the government expects high-quality equipment and technology at unrealistically low prices, again letting less respectable companies bid and undercutting the very security the government hopes to attain.

A Case in Point

The government has many contracts ready to be handed out, but they lack not only regulations that would ensure a reliable GPS system but also an up-to-date and centralized monitoring system. It does no good to have a monitoring device on a bus if the data is not monitored by law enforcement who can immediately step into a situation. In Delhi, for example, the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) sees that the city’s cluster buses are automatically fitted with GPS units, but they awarded the contract to a less than ideal company.

Sobha Applied DSP was once an arm of the Sobha Developers, a real estate company, not a GPS manufacturing company. The company denies continued connection with its parent firm, but it did keep its name. They import their GPS equipment from Germany, undercutting India-based companies like MapmyIndia and Arya Omnitalk. They also supply GPS units for autorickshaws without the manufacturer’s license required for the fair meter. They maintain a tie-up with Pulsar Technologies, which the DIMTS lists on their website as an independent Bangalore company, though the fact is that the two companies share the same phone number. The DIMTs backs their decision, however, claiming that all devices were checked before installation. They also claim that they oversee the data collection and penalize drivers for speeding and reckless driving; however, the data is not yet connected to any police control room or law enforcement agency.

A Big Market

With so much at stake, the government cannot afford to lower its standards by alienating the bigger, organized companies that offer real solutions for real problems in favor of low-budget operations that are inferior. The statistics seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t pay to cut corners.

• The anticipated Indian market for GPS devices that fit in a car is 100,000 units.


• There are 5,000 buses in the city of Delhi alone; almost 4,000 are Delhi Transport Corporation buses with more than 1,000 cluster buses. Only 982 of these are equipped with GPS technology.


• Only new automobiles come equipped with GPS, leaving 55,000 old cars lacking basic navigation equipment.


• The estimated cost of outfitting all the remaining buses and automobiles with GPS devices is in excess of $65 million (385 crore).

Large companies like MapmyIndia and Arya Omnitalk know what it takes to have a sound, reliable, and potentially life-saving system in place, complete with high-quality GPS units and a centralized monitoring base. But if they are not willing to even bid because of the politics and bureaucracy of India’s government, there is not much hope that India’s people, especially its women, will find security in its public transportation.

GPS and Indian Politics

GPS-Guided Transportation for the Elderly

CC Image courtesy of Garry Knight via Flickr

We live in an aging society. As the Greatest Generation passes on, the Baby Boomers are swelling the ranks of the elderly. In fact, the National Center on Senior Transportation anticipates that by 2020, one out of every six people will be over the age of 65. And medical advancements have paved the way for these seniors to live even longer lives than generations past; however, with age comes failing health and disabilities with increased need of care. Organizations, family members, and individuals themselves are realizing the value technology has in not only improving their lives but also in making them more fulfilling. One such technological advancement is global positioning systems. From GPS-enabled devices in the form of phones, bracelets, and even shoes to GPS-empowered programs such as Project Lifesaver and Comfort Zone, GPS is helping seniors and others unable to care for themselves stay safe. Now transportation companies for the elderly are looking to GPS to help them better manage the increasing demands for service.

An Overwhelming Need

Thousands of citizens in every city across the country are unable to provide transportation for themselves in order to get to things like basic healthcare appointments and social functions. Some have no car or are just not able to drive anymore. Caretakers are not always available to drive a loved one here and there due to their own responsibilities and obligations. Still others have no access to safe public transportation, such as city buses or trains, either because of the area they live in or just the physical difficulties they have. With stairs to climb and crowds of people to negotiate, the elderly and the disabled are just not able to get around like they need to and like they want to. The director of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) says, “It is a silent need that a lot of individuals feel shame in sharing . . . because who wants to admit . . . that you have no means to travel?” Even for the able-bodied, it is sometimes difficult to ask for help. How much more for those who have lived through wars and economic setbacks through their own strength and independence but now have to rely on others for their basic way of life?

An Inspiring Solution

Society owes it to these brave wardens of the past to protect their independence. And various agencies, nonprofit organizations, and government offices are stepping up to make that happen by providing systems of transportation to help seniors and others in need of medical assistance live a normal life as much as possible. Providing transportation to medical appointments, the grocery store, the bank, the barber or hairdresser, and anywhere else the person may need to go, including social events, makes them feel alive and a part of society. But with an increase in the number of elderly and disabled, the demand on these transportation services is great. That’s where GPS technology can lend a helping hand. Places like Washington County, Pennsylvania, are tapping into the vast resources and applications of GPS to increase their efficiency and provide better service to those they care and provide for.

• The Program—Washington Rides is a public program that is 85% paid for by the Pennsylvania Lottery and subsidized by another 7.5% by the Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging, giving those needing it an affordable means of transportation. The program is designed primarily to help those over the age of 65 as well as those who are disabled or have medical conditions preventing them from driving. They provide door to door service and rides that are usually less than an hour. Drivers are not only trained on how to drive but also on how to assist their passengers, always being sensitive to their needs.

• The Plan—Drivers for the Washington Rides paratransit system now use tablet type computers installed with GPS software to get their passenger manifests each day. Once the addresses are geo-coded into the system, the GPS takes over to plan an efficient and organized route for picking up and dropping off customers.

• The Power—Senior citizens and those with disabilities now have a reliable means of getting from one place to another that gives them a sense of self-empowerment. Instead of being institutionalized, housebound, or dependent on someone else’s schedule, they can now get a ride that is convenient for them. They can reserve a ride the day before and are guaranteed safe, dependable transport within a 15-minute window of their reservation time Monday through Friday.

This is just one example of how GPS can help already over-extended transportation organizations reach and assist more people. By systematizing routes and creating databases of information, these agencies can focus on caring for the elderly and getting them where they need to be. And the elderly can focus on living their lives to the fullest, passing onto the next generation their wisdom and experiences.

GPS-Guided Transportation for the Elderly

New York Lawmakers Consider Bill to Restrict GPS Stalking

GPS tracking is a powerful tool, and like any tool it can be used both for constructive and destructive purposes. Tracking technology enables citizens to protect themselves and others, find lost cell phones and laptops, keep track of their pets, and benefit in many other ways. But in the hands of a criminal, it can also be used with criminal intent. One such usage of the technology is GPS-enabled stalking.

In 2012, Jackie Wisniewski contacted police and told them she was being stalked by her ex-boyfriend, Dr. Tim Jorden. Jorden had placed a GPS tracking device on her car without her knowledge and was threatening her. Wisniewski chose not to press charges because she was afraid of what Jorden might do. Unfortunately, at that time, GPS stalking was not a crime, and police could not take further action unless the victim chose to press charges. Months later, Wisniewski was murdered by Jorden, who then took his own life.

Stories like this one have prompted lawmakers in New York to consider a bill that would criminalize the use of GPS tracking to stalk someone. Both the state senate and the assembly have passed the bill, and it is now awaiting review by the governor.

Beating Criminals at Their Own Game

While it’s true that GPS tracking can be used inappropriately by those with malicious intentions, the same technology can also be used to protect the innocent and defend victims. One example is the use of GPS tracking to alert domestic violence victims to potential danger. Minnesota, Maine, and Pennsylvania (among other states) have all proposed legislation that would allow authorities to monitor offenders using a GPS tracking device. Most often worn as an ankle bracelet, the device would send an alert when the wearer crosses a specified boundary, giving victims enough advance warning to escape a potentially dangerous situation.

Some programs of this type are voluntary, and would allow offenders to qualify for monitored release. Others would allow authorities to require that offenders wear the bracelets if the potential for harm is considered extreme. Conditions of the program include:

• Offender must wear monitoring device at all times


• If a boundary is crossed, both the victim and the monitoring agency receive alerts


• If the device is removed, both victim and monitoring agency receive alerts


• Violations can result in charges or imprisonment

Victims reported feeling safer when they knew that the offender was wearing a bracelet as compared to a traditional restraining order. If the offender violates the restraining order, victims may not be able to escape harm since police often cannot respond quickly enough. However, with the bracelets, the advance warning often provides plenty of time for a victim to get to safety and for police to locate and restrain the offender.

The End of GPS Stalking

Despite the many positive applications of GPS tracking, including monitoring domestic violence offenders, there remains the stark possibility of the technology being used to harass. In the case of Jackie Wisniewski, GPS stalking played a key role in Jorden’s intimidation and possible murder of his victim. Because using a GPS tracking device to stalk someone had not yet been made a criminal offense, the police were limited in their ability to take preventive action. In this case, the victim’s fear of reprisal played right into the hands of the offender, enabling him to continue his threatening behavior without fear of police action.

For this reason, many states are now considering laws that restrict the use of GPS technology to track a person without his or her knowledge or against his will. Some situations that could fall under this category include:

• Police tracking of a suspect without a warrant—Most states now have laws in place that prevent police officers from placing a tracking device on a suspect’s car without a warrant. This falls under the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.


• GPS stalking—As we’ve already discussed, several states have proposed legislation to make stalking someone using GPS tracking a criminal offense.


• Cell phone searches after an arrest—On June 25, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that police officers could not conduct searches of the cell phones owned by people who were arrested. Because most cell phones have GPS tracking capabilities and many users have also installed GPS-enabled apps, this ruling would also protect against police searches of an arrested person’s recent movements without a warrant.

Can GPS Stalking Laws Stop Domestic Violence?

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to prevent every single case of domestic violence. However, many victims sustain additional injuries during second or third assaults. It is these cases that can largely be prevented by GPS stalking laws, especially when implemented in conjunction with GPS monitoring of offenders. With such powerful technology at our fingertips, it is our responsibility to help prevent criminals from using that technology to perpetrate violence.

New York Lawmakers Consider Bill to Restrict GPS Stalking

Chronicling Your Off Road Adventures with Spot Trace

If you like to spend your free time on a four-wheeler in remote areas of the country, you’ll be glad to know about Spot Trace, an anti-theft GPS device designed for the rugged road. This system relies solely on GPS coverage, so you can get a signal just about anywhere – even in remote desert areas. And it’ll send a progress report to as many cell phones and email addresses that you choose. You could even keep your friends up to date on where you are in your adventure!

Why Invest in a GPS System for Your Off Road Trips?

CC Image courtesy of NRMA New Cars via Flickr

There are many advantages to having a GPS tracking device with you on your off road adventures. We know, you may feel deprived of the freedom of being out in the wide open spaces all by yourself, just you and your four-wheeler. However, if an accident were to occur, it’s great for someone to be able to come and find you without having to search too hard.

In addition to being a potentially life-saving device, this GPS system can simply be a means of keeping in touch with your family at home. If your wife isn’t too keen on off road adventures, she can at least be notified of your whereabouts as you explore on your own or with a friend.

One of the primary motivations behind the creation of the Spot Trace was to prevent theft. You’ve invested a lot into your four-wheeler, and you don’t want someone snatching it away from you as you take a walk to enjoy the scenery. While you can’t completely prevent theft with this GPS tracking device, you can start tracking your vehicle as soon as you realize that it’s taken.

So, What Does the Spot Trace Do?

Spot Trace devices rely solely on satellite technology. As long as weather conditions and foliage density are okay, your four wheeler can be tracked even in the remotest locations.

The device utilizes the vibrations of your vehicle to detect movement. So, as long as you’re moving, it can be transmitting messages to your programmed phone numbers and email addresses as often as every 2-1/2 minutes or as far apart as every hour.

The Spot Trace is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. It can easily fit into your backpack or in a small storage unit on your four wheeler. And since it weighs just over three ounces, you won’t even notice that it’s there!

Even though it’s small, this device is incredibly durable. It’s designed to be shaken around a little, since that’s what happens on off road adventures. It’s also designed to survive in most climates. It works best at temperatures ranging from -22 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Users have found that using AAA Energizer Ultimate Lithium 8x batteries provide the longest battery life for this little device. That usually provides four to eight days of transmissions if you’re sending notifications every five minutes during constant movement. It will last for several months if you’re only riding about an hour a day and transmitting once during that time.

The initial cost for the Spot Trace device is currently $119.99. You’ll also need to purchase a service plan in order to transmit your location. The basic plan is $99.99 per year. If you’ll be transmitting reports at the maximum of every 2-1/2 minutes the plan’s cost doubles.

You’ll manage your Spot Trace account online. You’ll have your own unique account with a username and password. You’ll then have a wide variety of options to activate. As mentioned earlier, you can be notified while the unit is in motion. You can also be notified if the unit is ever powered off or if the battery is getting low. If you’re on a several day trip, you can program it to send a daily status update.

One of the cool items on your Spot Trace account is the ability to see where you’ve been. Once you get back from a trip, you can log in and pull up a map of your travels. This is also helpful if you have friends or family at home that want to keep track of where you’re going on your adventure. Just provide them with your unique username and password. They can see a map of where you’ve been and where you are currently located.

GPS Tracking during Off Road Trips – Is It Worth It?

It depends on your perspective. If you go on your off road adventures alone, it may be worth it to be transmitting your location home to a family member or friend. You can decide on a time to check in by calling or coming back. If you haven’t arrived or contacted anyone, then it’s time for your designated friend to pull up the map and find out where you are. Chances are, you may need help. Some would also consider Spot Trace well worth the expense for the tracking ability in case the vehicle is stolen. It’s much easier to find a stolen vehicle if you can track its location every five minutes or so!

Chronicling Your Off Road Adventures with Spot Trace

GPS and Wildfires

If you live in an area of the country where wildfires are common, then you know jut how important it is to prevent them. Sometimes, they can start on their own due to high desert temperatures. Whatever the cause of a wildfire, the important thing is to respond as quickly as possible to minimize devastation and risk to homes that might be in the fire’s path. To date, there have been nineteen fires in Arizona alone from April 21st – June 26th. Currently, firefighters rely on tree trimming to help them access areas that have caught on fire. It thins out the forest and allows firefighters easier access to the area that is impacted so they can begin their work.

CC Image courtesy of USFWS/Southeast via Flickr

Forests in areas prone to wildfires are also thinned out as a preventative measure in this fashion. However, wildlife prevention experts say these efforts to thin the forest are slow and expensive – a lot of work goes into determining which trees and limbs need to be cut, and then comes the problem of directing tree trimmers to these precise locations.

Pat Graham, executive director of the Nature Conservancy of Arizona, said they’ve discovered a way to get the job done more quickly and efficiently – hand held GPS tracking devices. “By incorporating technology that didn’t even exist 10 to 15 years ago, like tablet computers, GPS and cameras, we’re able to program and keep track of the thinning that goes on,” Graham said.

How It Helps

They will begin using GPS tracking devices and cameras directly on the wood cutting equipment used during the thinning process. It will show the operator of the wood cutter precisely where they need to be, which leads to more being cleared in less time. It is Graham’s hope these GPS devices will be even more “smart” – he wants the GPS technology to be improved to the point wood cutters will be able to indicate exactly which trees have been cut in any given area, which cuts time even more substantially.

Saving Time and Lives

So just how fast does the addition of the GPS device to the wood cutter make the process? It is estimated that just one wood cutter using the GPS technology could cut 20 acres per day. This technology will not only help residents and wildlife, it will aid firefighters as well.

They have an incredibly dangerous job. In 2011, an Arizona wildfire made headlines and took the lives of 19 firefighters. Across the country in Florida, two rangers were killed during a forest fire there. Most of these fires take lives when it’s difficult for firefighters to determine the location of the fire within the dense forest, a problem eased by the trimming and cutting.

GPS in the Line of Fire

GPS tracking is being used in a different way altogether, although with the same end result of saving lives and land. The Florida Forest Service equips firefighters out in the field with GPS tracking devices so that they know exactly where they are at all times in order to keep them safe. The supervisor is able to set location points in their laptops, hand out the tracking devices to firefighters headed out to battle the blaze, and watch in real-time the location of each of them.

It allows them to provide assistance to those who become disoriented in thick fog as well. As the manager of the Orlando district of firefighters said, “It’s a tool in our toolbox to make sure we know where our firefighters are to the best of our ability.”

As new as the system is, they’re testing it out in order to see exactly what it can do. They want to make sure that the GPS devices are as accurate as they can possibly be. In these tests, data is sent to the supervisor’s laptop every 30 seconds which tracks their location, direction, speed, and unit identification.

In the future, they’re hoping to add other handy functions to the technology, like cameras. This will enable firefighters to transmit supervisors’ pictures of the fire they’re battling.

Already There in Oregon

Oregon is already on top of it, testing out new technology to aid firefighters in their quest to put out wildfires. The Oregon Department of Forestry is about to test out the use of small remote-controlled helicopters complete with video, infrared cameras, and a GPS location device to get a bird’s eye view from the fire itself before firefighters even leave the station.

“You are always looking for improved visibility of your fire,” said Brian Ballou, fire prevention specialist with the forestry service. “It just cuts down on your unknowns.”

It can only fly about 400 feet above the ground, the only clearance the Federal Aviation Administration would give it, and it can only fly for about 30 minutes with the limitations of the gas tanks. It measures about 5 feet long, and has one thing a manned aircraft doesn’t : the ability to fly in zero-visibility conditions. As Marty Rogers, director of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration said, “I tell people if the job is dull, dirty, or dangerous, it probably is good for unmanned aircraft.”

GPS technology is changing the game for firefighters all over the country who worry about wildfires. Thanks to all of these advancements, it will become easier as time passes.

GPS and Wildfires

iPhone GPS Can't Keep Them From Cheating

CC Image courtesy of Nicolas Nova via Flickr

Though it may come as a shock to some, your iPhone cannot expose a cheating partner. “But wait,”I hear you say, “it features a GPS device, and it can track your partner’s every move!” According to a private investigator interviewed by New Zealand’s TV ONE, the GPS tracking device within your iPhone might document their every move, but it won’t matter – if your partner is going to cheat, they’ll find a way to do it.

Julia Hartley Moore runs a website where she claims she has “specialist expertise in uncovering infidelity,” and she said that people are more frequently turning to the apps that put to use the cheater’s GPS device built into their iPhone. “This is something they will put in their cars,” she said.

However, Moore points out, “The bad thing is that people are still going to cheat.” It seems that no matter how much you poke your nose into your cheating partner’s business, they are going to find a way regardless. Or are they?

TV ONE Investigates

TV ONE hosts Ali Pugh and Rawdon Christie decided to see just how a person’s iPhone GPS tracker works on their morning show, and followed one of their colleagues virtually via her phone. It showed her exact location over the course of a few months, and how long she spent wherever she went. The data is available to anyone with an iPhone using the Frequent Location Services function, located in the Settings menu on the iPhone.

They were able to determine where she had been, like one Saturday night, where she was tracked to a Mission Bay restaurant. She remained there from 7-8:30 pm, and then headed to Albany where she watched a movie from 8:52-11:10 pm at a cinema there.

According to Apple, the tracker exists to help people “learn the places that are significant to you and to improve traffic routing services.” All data is stored locally on your phone – Apple assures that this information is not shared with any third party services.

Find My Friends

Another app that Apple says is “a great way to share your location with people who are important to you” has been said to be great for catching a cheater in the act. In fact, one user posted his experience on MacRumors.com in 2011, explaining that the app showed her everywhere his wife was when she sent text messages. It also exposed her lie.

“I got my wife a new 4S and loaded up Find My Friends without her knowing,” he wrote. “She told me she was at her friend’s house in the East Village. I’ve had suspicions about her meeting this guy who lives uptown. Lo and behold, Find My Friends has her right there.”

He proceeded to text her to find out where she was, comparing her answer with the GPS location data provided by the app. They did not match up whatsoever, and now this husband is taking the screenshots of data that catch her in the lie straight to court, where he predicts victory. He said, “Thankfully, she’s the rich one.”

The ‘Infidelity App’

The Daily Mail reported that GPS location data is stored complete with a time and date stamp, and this data is then uploaded to the computer when the device is synced. It’s called the ‘infidelity app,’ and was uncovered by two software developers from the UK.

One man responsible for the discovery, Pete Warden, said, “Apple has made it possible for almost anybody – a jealous spouse, a private detective – with access to your phone or computer to get detailed information about where you’ve been.”

In response to the discovery, they set up a webpage where iPhone users can see exactly what location data is accessible on their phone. They say that although other smartphones have a GPS device, they don’t store the information that Apple does. What’s more, you don’t even need to consent – the iPhone tracks this data regardless.

Daniel Hamilton is the director of Big Brother Watch, a privacy advocacy group. He said, “I think the most concerning thing is that people are simply unaware that this vast database is being created. People ought to be able to move around freely without accumulating a digital record of all their movements.”

It seems the New Zealand private investigator has no idea the power of the iPhone in uncovering a cheater. Apple said that although they do collect the data, “We do not store location data, Maps searches, or Siri requests in any identifiable form.” They claim the data is collected anonymously. However, they say the collection of location data will be key in “smart homes” – they have been awarded a patent for technology that “can adaptively track a user’s location and use the data to intelligently control secondary devices at another locale, such as home appliances.” For example, if you are on your way home, the phone will know exactly when to open up the garage door for you.

There are numerous apps designed to catch a cheater. The logical thing to do: don’t cheat, and you can’t get caught.

What are your thoughts on apps such as this, and the fact that Apple logs all of this information? Will it change the way you use your mobile device?

iPhone GPS Can't Keep Them From Cheating

India: Improving Police Response Time With GPS

The safety of women in India moved to the forefront two years ago after a 23-year-old female paramedic student was gang raped on a New Delhi bus. Just five months ago, their government approved an addition to the budget earmarked for the safety of women, their response to an unforgivable act that led to the death of that female student, and a way to strengthen laws protecting women’s safety.

CC Image courtesy of Harini Calamur via Flickr

Part of the plan, proposed by acting chief secretary Sajal Chakraborty and transportation commissioner Manoj Kumar: all mass transit vehicles all across the state must install GPS devices within the next two months. Beyond that point, anyone wishing to obtain a road permit for their mass transit vehicle must install a GPS tracking device. How will these devices help protect women? Let’s take a look at the case, and how this technology might have saved her life.

The Brutal Incident

The victim was leaving an evening showing of the movie Life of Pi with a male friend when four men lured them onto their private bus, inviting them to ride around the city with them. They agreed, and upon entering the bus, the four men beat the male friend to incapacitate them. They then pinned the woman down and each of the four men took turns raping her themselves, and with a metal rod, which left her with such horrific injuries, she later died in a Singapore hospital.

The incident was highly publicized, and when the four men were brought to court to face murder charges, they were sentenced to death, ordered to the gallows. Judge Yogesh Khanna said, in his decision, that the attack “shocked the collective conscience” of India. “In these times, when crime against women is on the rise, the courts cannot turn a blind eye towards such gruesome crimes.”

Because they were sentenced to death the order moves up to India’s High Court, where the men will appeal. Since 2004, only two people have been put to death, both terrorists. Some people there believe that the judge only sentenced them to death due to political pressure. However, it signifies the winds of change are moving in.

The Way It Is

Women are still stuck in their traditional role, which is to serve men. In fact, when they head out to town, they are bombarded by lewd comments and are even groped by complete strangers, called “eve-teasing,” as they walk about. Women there typically don’t go out in the evening or at night unless they are accompanied by a male companion to keep them safe. In this student’s case, even that didn’t keep her safe.

Protester Satvinder Kaur said, “Too often the pressure is on the girls to stay safe. But parents need to take responsibility for their sons. The culture will only change when mother stop their sons from going out late at night, when they make it clear they will not stand behind them if they do something like this.” She believes the ruling sent standing behind them.”

How GPS Will Help

The government approved a proposal regarding GPS devices and video recording for 32 cities that have a population over one million after recommendations of a committee set up to make recommendations regarding the safety of women, a response to the rape. This proposal includes setting up GPS tracking for the entire nation, placing command centers in each state to oversee data collection.

The goal – have each and every passenger vehicle linked up to both these command centers and more local control rooms, allowing police to find the scene of a crime immediately. If someone is in trouble, they simply press an emergency button which triggers data being sent to the local authorities including the victim’s GPS location data and which mass transit vehicle they are riding in. The nearest patrol car will receive this location data as well, allowing them to respond as quickly as possible. The addition of the cameras allows the control center to view pictures of the incident as it unfolds, showing them the exact nature of the emergency.

Getting the Job Done

The state transport secretary met with various officials recently, discussing the best way to implement the system. Department of Transportation records show 30 lakh (3 million) vehicles registered in Jharkhand through last year. About 25 percent of those are auto-rickshaws or buses. Acting chief secretary said, “We have been trying to launch an integrated tracking system for quite some time.

After the Delhi gang rape, it has become mandatory for all states to ensure safety of women on public transport.” A notification will be sent out to all owners of mass transit vehicles, and they will need to install the GPS tracking devices as soon as possible. In talks with the bus and auto associations, things look promising – they appear to be on board with the plan, and compliance shouldn’t be an issue. They hope to have everything worked out and the mandate in place in two months.

India: Improving Police Response Time With GPS