Pilgrim tracking and identification using the mobile phone

This paper describes a system developed for the tracking and identification of pilgrims in the Holy areas, in Makkah-Saudi Arabia, during Hajj (Pilgrimage). The area is already covered by a sophisticated 3.5G network by several service providers. Upon request or periodically, the mobile phone sends its UID, latitude, longitude, and time stamp. A server maps the latitude and longitude information on a Google map or any geographical information system. If the Internet connection is lost the mobile phone stores the location information in its memory until the Internet connection is restored, then it sends all stored location information and clears this information from memory. The developed system can be used to track a specific pilgrim. Alternatively any pilgrim can request emergency help using the same system. The developed system works in coordination with an RFID identification system that was proposed earlier. The developed system was tested successfully during the recent pilgrimage season.