Pacer Tracer: USC Aiken's approach to contact tracing
USC Aiken has developed a tracker, named Pacer Tracer, to aid in contact tracing on campus.
The CDC defines contact tracing as “a process to identify, monitor, and support individuals who may have been exposed to a person with a communicable disease, such as COVID-19.”
Ernest Pringle, the vice chancellor for information technology at USCA, sent an email on Aug. 25 including information on contact tracing on campus among other changes this fall semester.
The purpose defined for Pacer Tracer in the email is similar to the CDC’s definition. By utilizing Pacer Tracer, in the event that there is a COVID-19 outbreak on campus, contact tracers can employ the data from the app and notify those who may have been exposed.
Quick response codes, or QR codes, have been posted outside of classrooms, conference rooms and other facilities in order to capture your location at that time. Currently, the data doesn’t seem to be updated often, with the same numbers having been posted for two weeks.
Systems and Security Architect with the Computer Services Division and developer of Pacer Tracer, Chris Clark, provided information on the development and utilization of the application.
The development of the Pacer Tracer app began late May to early June.
“The web app is ready,” Clark stated. “We’re testing it amongst ourselves in CSD with the marketing team and with a few faculty members, (including) Dr. Timmons.”
Release dates differ between Android and IOS versions.
“As far as the Android and iOS versions, the Android version was ready at the beginning of August, but there’s a huge backlog in the play store for Google to review apps. That’s been a huge waiting game. As soon as that’s done, then we’ll release that, and the iOS will follow.”
There are concerns about the process of getting feedback and revising the application Clark expressed.
“One concern was that having these (QR codes) outside the classroom might cause a backlog of students trying to get in and get out at the same time. Right now our team is changing the desktop backgrounds on the instructor stations to show (the QR codes) so you don’t have to be outside the classroom to scan-in or scan-out … Once that’s done, mid-next week, I think, we should be able to launch the following week and get everyone using it. ”
Information will be updated in real-time, “As soon as you scan a code, it goes into a database and it’s available for them to review.”
When students scan a QR code with Pacer Tracer, “...it logs the code affiliated with that room in our database, the date and time, and who entered it.”
Clark also provided a brief walkthrough on how to use the app.
“When you first launch it, you’re prompted with a login screen. You enter your USCA credentials just like you would with anything else on campus … Once you log in, you’ll see (a) menu. (You can do an) entrance scan, (or an) exit scan.
“When you do an entrance or exit scan, you’ll see (a) camera screen. Just like with anything else, you hold it up against the code, then we go back to the menu.”
It’s meant to be used on a mobile device, but it will work on a computer.
If you have any troubles with Pacer Tracer, you are asked to direct your questions or concerns to the Help Desk (803-641-3391).
