School buses should be among the safest transportation options because they mostly carry children and teenagers. Fortunately, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), students are 700% more likely to arrive accident-free when riding a school bus than traveling by other means.
However, there is always room for improvement. School bus accidents still happen, highlighting the need for more robust safety solutions. It's not enough that drivers and students receive top-notch bus safety training; schools should also integrate buses with the latest innovations to ensure passenger safety.
Thankfully, many companies provide technology solutions for school buses so that schools will have no shortage of options. Here are a few school bus technologies that can provide students with a safer, healthier, and more efficient commute.
Belted Seats
School buses must utilize the latest seatbelt products to improve passenger safety and comfort. Children are usually rowdy on the bus; they play and tease their schoolmates during the trip. Some even stand up in their seats, which can lead to injuries if the bus suddenly stops. Belted seats can prevent mishaps like this while reducing driver distraction.
Alternate Fuel Technologies
Diesel-powered school buses emit dangerous gases that harm their passengers and the environment while contributing to noise pollution. Schools must find alternative fuel solutions to protect students and save on rising fuel prices.
Many districts are turning to propane autogas to reduce maintenance expenses and overall ownership costs. Propane-powered buses emit significantly fewer greenhouse gases and hydrocarbon emissions than traditional diesel-powered ones.
RFID Tracking
Radio Frequency Identification devices (RFID) can track students entering or leaving the school bus. The RFID tags are attached to the student IDs, which are swiped and scanned whenever they ride the bus. Parents and school authorities also receive a notification of the bus and the student's current location.
In-Bus Video Surveillance
Schools can install advanced digital cameras inside the buses to comprehensively monitor everything that happens during the commute. Bullying is a common problem in schools and sometimes extends to the school bus. Having in-bus video surveillance helps school personnel record, monitor, and investigate possible bullying situations or unruly behavior concerning students.
Driver Alcohol Detection
Even the best technologies will not matter if your bus driver is intoxicated. Installing bio-sensors on the steering wheels will detect even the slightest presence of alcohol in the driver's blood through touch.
If the resulting alcohol levels exceed the pre-set limits, the bus is automatically immobilized, and the school is alerted. This strategy ensures safe driving and improves school transportation transparency.
Wi-Fi Filtering
Schools have added Wi-Fi connectivity to their buses to improve communication and provide students with entertainment since they spend at least an hour commuting daily. Wi-Fi filtering guarantees that they can only access websites for educational purposes.
Real-Time Fleet Monitoring
It's challenging for large school districts to monitor dozens of school buses. Real-time monitoring software helps map the exact location of buses, including timestamps of each stop made along the way.
Schools can use historical data and real-time visibility to identify possible traffic causes and create alternative routes until they find the optimal track with minor disruptions.
