technology Archives - trackschoolbus

School Bus Technology Trends To Watch For In 2020

Posted on May 6, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Technology in manufacturing school buses keeps improving and advancing each year to accommodate the increasing safety and security concerns of student transportation.

Better safety, lower costs, and simpler operations are the major reasons that drive technology to seek new methods or improvise on the existing.

Information and computer technology has had a great influence on School transportation management systems. Innovative products have been developed to make unwieldy operations easier and to solve issues faced in student transportation.

Technology works with humans to create a secure and safer environment for students, enhance the rider and driver experience and increase the overall efficiency of operations.

Technology trends to watch for in 2020

1. Auto Routing

School buses use smart auto-routing algorithms simplifying the task of transport managers. School bus routing is challenging for transport managers as it consumes time and they have to keep an eye on school bus routes, check seat availability, etc. But auto-routing software makes the task easier. It automatically routes the path accurately.

2. New Methods to stop Illegal Passing

One of the biggest threats facing by school buses safety is rash driving motorists. They often tend to ignore a school bus’s stop arm and speeding by while the children are entering or exiting from the bus. It can sometimes cause serious safety issues. The children are unpredictable, so other vehicles should be responsible for child safety.

Stop-arm cameras are one option, but it is relatively expensive and cause public relation issues. So alternative method to prevent this is by adding more and bright lights is the most effective and friendly solution.

3. Cutting-edge sensitivity

In school buses, the level of sensitivity varies as detection technology varies. The new AI-powered technology can detect even the faintest signs of movement, including even the minute signs of heartbeat and breathing. Though it was formally developed for passenger cars, this system partners with school bus telematics. Thus helping school bus drivers or fleet operators to diagnose if a child is left on board.

4. Alternative Fuels

The basic fact that the global petroleum reserves are depleting, forces one to look for alternatives. The environmental pollution and public health hazards caused due to emissions from diesel exhausts are very grave.

School-Transport-Software--Ensure-enhanced-student-safety

Prices of diesel and gasoline are extremely volatile and high. The efficiency level per gallon is low when compared to other fuels.

These factors compel a shift to electricity, CNG, propane, hydrogen, diesel-electric hybrid as fuel is envisaged in the coming years. These fuels offer better mileage. Their on-road operational costs are minimal compared to that of diesel-powered buses.

The initial cost of purchasing a new bus running on alternative fuel or retrofitting the current engine to suit alternate fuel requirements is high compared to that of diesel buses. But in the long run they prove viable with near-zero emissions and lower operational costs.

Electric school buses are considered to be the future of school bus transport. They are eco-friendly with zero emissions. They are quieter while in operation.

5. Timer-based Block Heating Mechanism

In cold countries, heating of the buses in the morning is a major issue. A smart timer attached to the block heater automatically starts the engine.

The timer is pre-programmed for the time at which the engine has to be started. This ensures that it is warm and ready when the driver arrives to start the trip.

This cuts the cost of constant heating, which is impractical and eliminates the need to pay drivers for the extra warming hour in the morning. These timers help to save up to 80% of the costs depending on the weather conditions.

6. WiFi on buses

Wi-Fi on buses is a key factor enabling routing software and GPS tracking system to operate smoothly and effectively. Internet is a centralized device that ties together all the technological equipments aboard a bus.

Implementing Wi-Fi solutions helps in saving money and expanding the capabilities of the systems installed in the bus.

Students spend considerable time on the bus, travelling to and from school. Wi-Fi en-route will enable them to utilize their time on board productively, either studying or completing homework.

It will be helpful for students who lack proper internet access at their homes. Safe internet access with customized filters and data usage reporting ensure the students do not misuse the Wi-Fi for gaming or entertainment.

7. Student ID Cards

Bus identity cards are embedded with micro-chips. Radio frequency identification device (RFID) is used to record the place and time of entry and exit of students into the bus.

The RFID cards alert the parents informing them when their child has got on or off the bus. It updates school administrators on whether the child is on the right bus and at the right bus-stop.

8. Motion Detectors

The motion sensors detect any movement on a moving and stationary bus. Movements as slight as a child moving under a blanket can be detected. Use of these detectors will eliminate the chances of accidental child abandonment which happens when students sleep off without alighting from the buses.

General purpose Input/output (GP I/O) devices or sensors alert the drivers when the door is left open, when windows or hatches are opened, stop arm notifications work etc.

9. Live camera feed

The live feed cameras are installed inside and outside the buses. The internal cameras enable the drivers to view the students inside the moving school bus.

Student behavior, seating, safety issues can be monitored and managed conveniently on a console in front of the driver. This aids the driver in regulating student discipline without having to leave his seat.

Live cameras are installed on stop arms which extend out when buses stop. This camera is of help to record errant drivers on the road who do not obey the stop warning.

10. Video Mirrors

Video mirrors are used to overcome the dangers arising from the blind spots that the large school buses have. Four cameras are fixed, in different directions, so as to provide the driver with a 360 degree view.

The view is automatically adjusted at turns and curves and switches to rear-view once the bus goes into reverse mode.

11. In-Wheel Alcohol detection

Habitual drinkers and intoxicated drivers are difficult to determine on sight. The new alcohol detection sensor detectsalcohol based on a driver’s skin oils. As the sensor is integrated into the steering wheel, it locks down the bus before it is on road thus preventing unsafe driving.

12. GPS Bus Routing Software Solutions

Planning and scheduling of school bus routes manually is time consuming, costly and stressful.GPS enabled bus routing software helps in faster implementation and optimization of bus routes which is the key factor in reducing operational expenses and fuel costs.

The system creates routes based on accurate maps, determines time and distance factors on each route, detects traffic blocks and hazards on routes, monitors the mileage etc.

The individual GPS system of each bus is connected to central routing software enabling the school to keep track of every bus in the fleet, receive real-time updates on student locations and route deviations.

Auto-routing determines the routes based on bus seat capacity, number of bus-stops, students at each bus-stop using algorithms.

13. GPS tracking systems

Tracking software solutions make fleet management easier with more control of safety.

Trip and Student tracking systems– which can be integrated into the software will provide exact locations of the bus fleet. The precise and accurate data aids school management in taking well-informed decisions quickly saving time, cost and resources.
School bus attendance tracker – provides notifications to parents when their child boards or alight the bus. This tracker is extremely beneficial to the school in knowing the number of students in attendance in school on a particular day.
Tracking App for parents– helps them to track the bus and reach the bus stop in time. Parents concern of safety in transportation is addressed to a large extent by using this tracker app.
Manifest feature -This feature produces daily student passenger list, pick up details with timing, route diagram showing pick up locations. If a student has applied for leave of absence on a day, his name will not appear on the pick-up list for that particular day. This saves the time of the driver and students.
Geo-fencing– This App allows parents and schools to set boundaries. This restricts movement of the bus to specified areas. When a bus enters a restricted area the parents and the school receive alerts. The geo-fencing app can be used by parents to receive alerts when the school bus is nearing their wards bus-stop.

14. Driver Tablet

Drivers traditionally use paper printed instructions and maintain files pertaining to students, vehicle performance and maintenance details. Providing drivers with an in-vehicle tablet will reduce paper work.

All information can be recorded on the spot and can be retrieved by all departments concerned. This reduces the work load of drivers and school administrators.

15. Telematics

Telematics automate many of the manual and disconnected tasks. Telematics connects all the electronic equipment in the bus and transmits the entire data to the fleet manager.

It tracks fuel consumption, preventive maintenance schedules and the engine diagnostics of the bus. Telematics has the capability to make the transportation system more efficient and easier to maintain at lower costs.

Technology has transformed the classrooms and now this transformation is being extended to school buses. Technology gives us new ways to optimize, maximize and automate the different functionsof school bus operations. All of these technological applications strive to make school buses the best and the safest mode of transportation for students.

School Bus Driver Safety – How Technology Can Play a Role

Posted on January 16, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

School bus drivers are given the huge responsibility of transporting the children to and from the school safely. Driving a school bus is a very serious job and often thankless. The driver is exposed to many an experience on and off the bus and their safety is of utmost importance.

Nowadays, the school fleets comes fitted with a number of technological aids and this helps them to stay safe as well as do their jobs to the best of their abilities. We review below a list of technologies and gadgets that help them in more than one way.

1: Digital Cameras

Safety enforcement is always a tough job. During most of the trips, on-bus behaviour of the students is a major distraction for the driver. Most drivers trim this problem by assigning seats to the students.

Digital cameras that are installed in modern school fleets help the driver to constantly monitor the situation inside the bus while simultaneously maintaining a watchful eye on the road.

The cameras are also endowed with the capability to record both audio and video of the happenings inside the bus. This spares the driver from having to turn back to find out what exactly happened.

These cameras are also equipped to capture the licence plate details of vehicles that pass close by the bus when it halts.

2: Bus Tracking Systems

Bus tracking systems provide the much-needed transparency that is otherwise required of the bus drivers in reporting where the bus is located at that point in time.

These systems not only work to notify parents and school authorities of the current location of the bus, but they also act to restrict harsh driving behaviours.

Parents monitor both unscheduled bus routes/ bus stops that the drivers may take and also monitor the speed of the bus. This aspect keeps the children and the drivers safe.

Bus tracking apps help to keep away distress calls from the parents that would otherwise be a distraction for the driver. The school bus tracking app helps to provide real-time data as regards approach time of a bus near the scheduled bus stop.

It also helps the driver to do his work with the concentration required to get his wards to the bus stops at the scheduled times.

3: Mirror Grid Systems

The latest school fleets come fixed with a grid of mirrors. This 7-mirror system helps the drivers to have a wide-angle view of the surroundings of the bus.

The electric grids that are present behind the mirrors help the drivers during the cold winters. The heat generated by the grid removes the fog and snow particles that get lodged on the mirror during the winters. It helps to enhance the driver’s surrounding vision.

4: Driver-controlled Bus Doors

The doors of today’s school buses can be controlled by the bus drivers with the touch of a button. The driver’s control in the opening and closing the school bus doors are helpful in more ways than one.

Firstly, the absence of manual operations keeps away unnatural twists and turns of the body and the problems arising thereof. Shoulder pain, arm injuries, and fatigue can be completely avoided. The annual door swings are nil.

5: Air-cushioned Driver Seats

The latest school fleets come with built in driver seats that are kept up with the help of air pressure. This keeps the seat at a comfortable position for the driver and provides enhanced lumbar support that leads to fewer back problems for the drivers in the long run.

6: Smaller Bus Engines

As a direct consequence of miniaturization that is taking place in all fields, bus engines are now smaller in size. The smaller size of the engine means a smaller hood. This improves the field of vision of the driver and enables him to see more of the surroundings.

7: Computerized Diagnostic Tools

Computerized diagnostic tools that inform the driver well in advance about the upcoming maintenance jobs of the vehicle are a boon to the drivers.

Wear-out of tires, replacement of non-working indicator lights, and other maintenance jobs, if informed to the driver in advance helps them to keep the children and their job safe.

Other issues that can give the drivers a feeling of preparedness include indications about transmission problems, oil tanks and their malfunction, exhaust systems’ alarms, etc.

8: Wi-Fi Connectivity

Wi-Fi connectivity in the bus can keep children engaged with the Internet and allow them to complete their lessons, homework or indulge in other intellectually gainful activities.

This keeps them from engaging in unruly behaviour which can distract the drivers and keep them from performing their duties.

9: Sensors

Installation of sensors in wireless devices will inform the drivers about the current status of brakes and emergency door systems. This prevents impending disasters.

Final Thoughts

Though skilled and careful driving is still the best preventative method to keep the kids safe during their ride on the school bus, technological aids, in the recent times have helped the drivers prevent many an accident.

Therefore it is important to install these technological gadgets and systems to make the school bus ride much safer than before.

5 Technology Tools that Enhance Road Safety in India

Posted on January 26, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

Technology has revolutionized the road safety in India. Nevertheless, road safety is crucial and the Government intends to leverage technology for augmenting the safety of citizens. The technology enables you to control traffic, catch the lawbreakers, and provide road safety. Let us check out the 5 technology solutions that assist you to create Indian roads safer:

1. LIDAR Gun

LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) gun is a weightless and simple tool, which enables the law officials to catch and book vehicle that crosses the speed limit. With the invisible infrared beam in the gun, you will be able to target individual vehicle and recognize whether a particular vehicle is violating the speed limit or not, especially, on the basis of variations recorded in the light.

Moreover, the device estimates the vehicle’s speed within a second and is devoid of errors. Apart from that, the gun also assists you to establish the distance between two vehicles and realize the tailgating instances. In addition, the device enables you to capture and record images of license plates. However, the device is already implemented by traffic authorities in the United States and the United Kingdom.

2. Speed Indication Display

Warning signs can be beneficial for road users. The Speed indication display that serves as a warning sign, are digital speed boards, which is installed on roads for identifying whether a vehicle crosses the speed limit or not. These devices are installed along with a radar sensor, and can evaluate the speed of the vehicle, which is displayed on the LED displays, visible for all the vehicles.

Today, a wide range of speed indication display devices is available, while certain display the vehicles, which are driving under and over speed and other display the real-time speed of each vehicle. At times, the device captures and store images of speeding vehicles.

Speed Indication Displays have been implemented in Singapore and UK, and Indian Government has already suggested the installation of these devices in its scheduled ‘Integrated Traffic Management System’.

3. Speed Governors

Speed governors as the name implies, allows you to recognize when a vehicle crosses the decided speed limit. With the sensors attached to the device, you can recognize how swiftly a vehicle is going, and whenever the vehicle attempts to cross the speed limit, it will restrict the air flow and engine fuel. Hence, the vehicle will automatically slow down and stops. Therefore, the speed governor is an ideal solution for the vehicles to remain within the speed limit.

4. Variable message signs

Variable message sign are LED boards, which display vital information to commuters. This sign is installed in Indian cities such as Bangalore and Hyderabad. Delhi is also planning to install the sign in the near future. As a result, it serves valuable to road users as they are able to receive the latest updates on the road and traffic conditions especially that of vehicle breakdowns and traffic congestion.

5. Inductive Loops

Induction loops are beneficial, since it detects the vehicles waiting at the junction and send these data to traffic signals, which changes automatically based on the situation. How it works? These loops utilize electromagnetic fields and it will experience a change in frequency, whenever a vehicle enters that particular area. The feedback obtained from it is transferred via connected cables. In addition to this, the type of vehicle can also be determined on the basis of the changes in frequency.

Final Thoughts

As a matter of fact, the 5 technological solutions are successfully implemented in certain countries. With the integration of these technologies, India has an enormous opportunity to safeguard the road users.

Impact of Anti-Collision Technology on School Buses

Posted on January 12, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

School bus transportation ensures the safety of school kids. Nevertheless, parents tend to have a certitude in the school transportation services, when compared to the private transportation services. By integrating technology to the school bus, you will be able to enhance the school bus safety of students.

Accidents cannot be avoided completely, but it can be prevented. As a consequence, the anti-collision technology can be such a technology that enables you to prevent the fatal accidents. Of course, drivers will be unable to control vehicle speed and avoid harsh braking in today’s rising traffic.

Merit of Anti-Collision Technology

With the assistance of the anti-collision technology, the vehicle will sense the hazard from a far-off distance, and stops the vehicle at the right time. Drivers are not required to apply the brake, as the anti-collision system will perform the job for you.

Highlights of Anti-collision Technology

Extended range proximity sensors

The proximity sensors will have sensing range 3 times the standard sensors. As a result, the collision rate will be reduced by diverting your vehicle away from the crash zones. In case of cylindrical-type inductive sensors, the sensor range is from 0.8 to 15 mm. Hence, the exact separation between the target and the sensor should be lower than 12 mm.

As a matter of fact, when sensors are placed closer to the moving target, it will increase the destruction percentage caused by physical contact. A sensor that alters or vibrates from the original position will suffer increased damage due to collision. Hence, extended range sensors reduce the circumstance of damage.

Infra-red sensors surrounding the vehicle

With the support of an infrared sensor, you will be able to recognize certain attributes of surroundings by either transmitting or identifying the infrared radiation. Moreover, the IR sensors enable you to measure the heat transmitted by an object and discover its motion. As a consequence, the IR sensors work by utilizing a specific light sensor, which enable you to realize the light wavelength in the IR spectrum. Along with an LED that generate light with the similar wavelength, you can realize the intensity of the received light.

Furthermore, IR sensors detect the obstacles that lie in front or side wise and alter its position depending upon the field.

Collision Mitigation System in School Transportation

Of course, school buses are designed for the safety of students. Hence, the driver confronts an immense risk and pressure as they are ferrying the precious cargo in the universe- the future generation. Collision mitigation systems can act as an insurance for ensuring the student safety. By installing the system, you will be able to evade the careless accidents and injuries. Exclaiming how? The system stops the vehicle without the assistance of drivers, if they sense danger ahead.

Can cost impede the installation of anti-collision technology on school buses?

Meanwhile, school transportation services will be allotted a limited amount of money. As a result, installing the anti-collision technology will be expensive for school authorities. According to the sources, the collision mitigation system cost ranges from $2100 to $6800, which varies according to the manufacturer and the level of technology.

One of the major anti-collision technology suppliers is Bendix, apart from that, Meritor WABCO is another key supplier of the system. However, its OnGuard systems have been utilized in around 180 commercial vehicles. In fact, with the implementation of technology, it is reported to have 75% to 87% reduction in collisions and 89% reduction in accident expenses.

As a matter of fact, installing the anti-collision technology in vehicles can be beneficial in every way, since it prevents the collisions caused by negligent motorists, who is unable to notice the enormous yellow bus.