ADVANCEMENTS IN SCHOOL BUS SAFETY
Next-Gen Buses Enhance Safety for Kids and Drivers
By Tim Gordon
P A R T T W O
The responsibility of transporting children safely to and from school is a responsibility that Blue Bird Corporation takes seriously. As one of the most trusted names in school bus manufacturing, we understand that our passengers are the most precious cargo imaginable. That understanding drives our mission to go beyond industry standards, constantly innovating and improving safety features to protect students every step of the way.
Built for Safety from the Ground Up At Blue Bird, safety is not an option; it’ s a standard. Our buses are designed with a one-piece roof bow system, which acts as the skeletal structure of the vehicle. We were pioneers in introducing the Colorado Rack and Load Test and Kentucky Pole Test as standard safety evaluations. These tests ensure that the structural integrity of the school bus remains intact in the event of a rollover or other severe accidents. While other manufacturers once charged extra for these reinforcements, we have always considered them essential. Another key area of focus is fuel tank protection. Bus collisions, while rare, can pose a fire hazard if fuel systems are compromised. Through rigorous crash testing, we have developed side protection and shielding mechanisms to minimize the risk of fuel-related thermal events.
Exceeding Federal Safety Standards Blue Bird has long been committed to surpassing the federal minimum safety requirements. It is not enough to meet the standard; we strive to exceed it in every aspect. Unlike commercial vehicle manufacturers which modify medium-duty chassis to fit a school bus structure, we design our buses from the ground up specifically for student transportation. This approach allows us to engineer features that enhance safety at every level.
Enhancing Visibility One of the biggest safety challenges school bus drivers face is visibility. We have designed our conventional bus models to offer superior sightlines. Our buses allow drivers to see a child standing six inches shorter than they could in competing models, a seemingly small difference that can make a world of difference when it comes to preventing accidents. Additionally, Blue Bird buses come equipped with front and rear cameras as standard features. These cameras provide critical visibility when loading and unloading children, the moments when most school bus-related injuries occur. While not active during transit, they give drivers an extra set of eyes when it matters most.
Pioneering Driver Safety with Airbags Blue Bird is the first school bus OEM in the industry to implement driver airbags as a standard safety feature. While school buses have long been recognized as one of the safest modes of transportation for students, driver protection has historically been a secondary concern.
Recognizing that fatalities in school bus-related crashes often involve the driver, we introduced airbags as a proactive measure to enhance their safety.
The Seat Belt Debate and NextGen Seating For years, industry discussions have focused on the necessity of seat belts in school buses. While compartmentalization— the design concept of padded, closely spaced seats— has been the traditional standard, Blue Bird has taken it a step further by integrating seat belts into its NextGen seating. Crash tests reveal that while compartmentalization is effective, it assumes students remain properly seated at all times. Realistically, children may shift, lean, or turn in their seats. Our seat belt-equipped designs ensure that students remain secured, reducing the risk of injury during a collision. To make seat belts more accessible, Blue Bird has worked to offset costs, ensuring that customers who choose IMMI-manufactured seats do not pay extra for seat belts. It’ s a decision we stand by because safety should never be a premium feature— it should be standard.
Improving Safety at Bus Stops Many school bus-related accidents occur outside the vehicle, particularly during loading and unloading. To address this, Blue Bird has introduced high-intensity LED lighting, ensuring that buses are visible in low-light conditions, such as early morning and late afternoon routes. Additionally, lighted stop arms and school bus signs enhance visibility, reinforcing traffic laws that protect children as they enter and exit the bus. Despite these efforts, some drivers still claim they“ didn’ t see the bus.” Our goal is to make school buses impossible to miss. With strobe lights and enhanced illumination, we are taking every step to ensure that students are visible and protected at all times.
Electronic Stability Control and Collision Mitigation Technology continues to play a crucial role in school bus safety. Blue Bird was the first to introduce Electronic Stability Control( ESC) in our buses. Our Mobileye system, a passive collision avoidance system, provides real-time alerts to drivers, increasing their awareness of potential hazards. Unlike active systems that may take control of the vehicle, our approach allows drivers to remain in full control while benefiting from enhanced situational awareness.
Committed to a Safer Future At Blue Bird, safety is not just a feature; it’ s our philosophy. We don’ t believe in simply meeting federal standards; we aim to exceed them at every turn. Whether through advanced structural integrity, improved visibility, driver protection, or the latest in technology, our mission remains the same: to provide the safest school buses on the road.
Tim Gordon is senior vice president of Blue Bird’ s Sales and Marketing. Visit www. blue-bird. com for more information.
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