How New Transportation Technology Is Working To Keep Schools Safe

Did you know that children are nearly 70 times more likely to arrive at school safely on a bus versus in a car?

School districts focus on school bus safety to ensure that children feel safe. Especially when so many tragedies are occurring.  

If you want to learn about what technologies the schools are using, there are a few below.

Continue reading to discover new transportation technology that will get kids to school safely! 

Monitoring With Cameras

One of the most useful and new transportation technology devices that drivers use is cameras. 

Depending on the district, cameras are getting installed on the interior and exterior of the buses. Some drivers also wear personal cameras for additional monitoring. Many arguments and issues have been resolved because of cameras.

When there are concerns with students, these cameras can see what happened. This makes it easier to stop bullying and harassment. Another advantage of cameras is that they can catch when people are driving past the bus at an illegal time. 

GPS Tracking 

Getting to school can involve taking different routes because of accidents and construction. 

Installing GPS in the buses can help drivers safely navigate throughout the town. It’s also good to have this feature in case of a missing bus. When accidents occur, the school doesn’t always find out fast enough and there are many concerned parents.  

Some schools permit parents to track their child’s school bus. This is a wonderful security feature and can also prevent parents from staying at the office too late. 

Pedestrian Detection 

Often, the most dangerous part about driving or riding a bus is the pedestrians.

Children, parents, and others walk along the bus paths, and with all of the distractions, accidents have occurred. With new technology, LED lights shine on the ground and alert the driver of pedestrians at risk. 

Cross-view mirrors and radar units are also utilized to prevent anyone from getting hit in a blind spot. These units will sound at 77 GHz to notify the bus driver that it’s unsafe to drive. The band gets installed around the bottom exterior of the bus to help detect the movement. 

Pedestrian detection units typically have a range of 10 feet. This means that if anyone is within 10 feet of the bus, the driver will get signaled. Not only do these detection units scan for people, but also objects. 

Cameras and sensors are already a common installment for buses. These devices help prevent pedestrians and students from getting hit but aren’t always accurate.

If you are looking for safety solutions for your school, premierwireless.com is a great resource. Improved safety and security will benefit your students and staff.  

Oncoming Vehicles 

New technology is showing hopes for bus drivers to detect and warn students about approaching vehicles.

Although it’s against the law to drive past a bus when the stop sign is out, many people still get caught doing it. Certain devices can determine if a car is likely to pass the bus, based on how fast it’s approaching. This gives the bus driver an extra moment to warn children and prevent injuries. 

Improved visibility and audio alerts can prevent collisions from happening. There should be a variety of alert systems in place for disabled individuals. 

Not only will this technology save children, but it can also stop accidents. When the bus driver gets back on the road, they’ll get notified if there’s oncoming traffic. Avoidance and lane departure warnings will keep everyone inside and outside of the bus safe. 

Vehicle-detection technology isn’t new, as you can find it in most vehicles on the road. This technology, however, is new to the transportation industry in schools. 

Wi-fi Access

Since most of the new technologies require access to the internet, buses have upgraded their wi-fi. 

Wi-fi provides real-time camera access for monitoring children. It also helps children study and keeps them entertained on the bus. Without wi-fi, the GPS won’t show current traffic or road closures.  

The bus becomes a mobile hotspot and has the same education-grade filtered content. This means that children can only access the same things that they can in the classroom. 

Communication Platforms

Whether the bus drivers use an online chat or radio, there are multiple technologies to improve communication.

Bus drivers need to have reliable contact with other drivers and the school district. These platforms notify the driver of emergencies or other problems. It’s also helpful for bus drivers to communicate during their non-driving hours to learn about the latest driving tips. 

Most drivers are alone, on a bus with several dozen children. Sometimes there’s a teacher or parent on the bus to help but this isn’t always the case. Quick communication can ensure that children make it safely to school and back home. 

Smart Buses

When the schools have a large enough budget, they can invest in smart buses. 

Smart buses come with technologies already installed in the foundation. Touch screens and advanced controls help protect children. They notify the driver of potential problems.

Another way that smart buses are using new technology is with ramps and loading fixtures. When children are in a wheelchair, they need an easy way to get to class.

New Transportation Technology Has Arrived

Learning about new transportation technology can give you comfort when you send your children off to school.

New technology makes it possible to see everything happening inside and around a bus. Whether you are worried about medical concerns or bullying, cameras and alert systems are in place. Pedestrian units and cameras are the most reliable way of protecting everyone. 

Don’t be afraid to look for other innovations if your school or child is dealing with an issue. 

Make sure you read our blog for more information about school safety and how to protect your children! 

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