S T U D E N T S A F E T Y S O L U T I O N S
Reducing Risk to Students in the Danger Zone
By Deirdre O ’ Brien
Technology and grassroots efforts join forces to increase safety outside the bus
Students outside the school bus are far more vulnerable to risk of injury than those on-board the bus . And the risk to students outside the bus is rising every year , according to annual injury statistics . The 2018-19 school year saw 70 injuries and 17 fatalities related to school bus crossings . The 2019 NASDPTS survey on illegal school bus passing conducted across 39 states showed 130,963 school bus drivers reported 95,391 motorists had illegally passed a stopped school bus in a single day . With roughly 471,000 school buses in service in the US , this equates to over 340,000 illegal school bus passes per day and 62 million illegal passes per school year .
Motorist distraction and a lack of concern for the rules of the road
Experts suggest we are dealing with a combination of motorist distraction and disinterest in observing rules and regulations . Motorists can be distracted by mobile phones , passengers , and other tasks / problems on their mind . Impairment , another form of distraction , arguably presents the most risk and a high level of unpredictability . Drivers who are indifferent to the rules of the road and how they operate their vehicles in the vicinity of a school bus present a completely different dilemma . How do you influence those who aren ’ t motivated to obey the law ? We have been trying to tackle this critical issue as an industry for years . Awareness and education programs , stop arms , crossing gates , and cameras have each helped reduce student injury and improve safety . But to get the number of children affected in school transportation-related accidents closer to zero , we need to acknowledge that any tool , technology , or awareness program that relies on human attention alone may not achieve perfect results . Today ’ s environments relentlessly challenge the focus and attention of every driver on the road . All signs point to an increase in these challenges , not a reduction in them .
Applying intelligent technologies and innovative thinking to a long-standing issue
Roadways are becoming busier and distraction and other forms of driver inattention are on the rise . Should we continue to approach the problem using the same methods ?
These tactics have effectively reduced an element of risk . Perhaps we couple these traditional methods with intelligent technologies that eliminate blind spots and issue visual and audible alerts to school bus drivers and those who are at risk , the students themselves ? At Safe Fleet , we believe Artificial Intelligence is the glue that brings the value of each individual safety tool – mirrors , video , and sensors – together , for a complete view of what ’ s going on . Not just detecting , but also providing a frame of reference . This might come in the form of an alert that tells the driver where the problem is , ( for example – rear , right side of the bus ) which could also be coupled with different alarms or spoken word , such as ‘ child ,’ or ‘ car .’ Bringing intelligence into the safety mix adds clarity and the ability to respond quickly and confidently . For example , school districts could employ technology that uses radar and predictive analytics to monitor oncoming vehicle traffic for probable stop arm violations . This technology would work alongside stop arm camera systems , mirrors and crossing arms . Each tool or system would play its role in protecting the child , but when danger is present , those who are at risk – the students , are notified by the advanced technology to stay back . This innovative approach alerts the students to take immediate and life-saving action . It helps keep students from entering into the Danger Zone in the first place . There is also a strong case for intelligent 360 ° systems that provide a complete overhead view of the perimeter of the bus coupled with object detection functionality . The bus driver is provided with a passive , blind-spot-free view of their surroundings along with an active alert system to aid the driver in taking faster and more responsive action when danger is present . This approach to adding intelligence to safety equipment helps identify what is important and ignore what is not .
Changing the High-Risk Narrative
Education , awareness , and accountability should always play a role in fostering student safety . It is easier to correct unwanted behavior when the expected and desired behaviors are fully understood and when unwanted behaviors are discouraged with active and consequential repercussions . Grassroots programs that educate and encourage desired outcomes should remain an integral part of any Danger Zone student safety program . The ultimate goal is an environment where stop arm violations are not the norm . Until we reach this goal , intelligent technology and new ways of thinking can reduce risk to students in the Danger Zone almost as soon as these systems are implemented . Long term , the most effective way to reduce the risk to students from stop arm violations , and address distracted driving and the lack of awareness and / or a disregard for the rules , is an approach that encompasses all of these methods . Safe Fleet has a vision to reduce preventable deaths and injuries in and around fleet vehicles , with a goal of ZERO accidents . To this end , Safe Fleet has developed the Predictive Stop Arm ™ a patented solution that uses radar technology and predictive analytics to monitor oncoming vehicle traffic , measuring vehicle speed and distance from a school bus . Analytics algorithms process data from radar sensors and determine whether a vehicle has sufficient time to slow down and stop or whether a stop arm violation is probable . If the system perceives that a student should not cross , the student will hear “ Danger , Get Back ,” emitted from speakers mounted outside the bus and the bus operator will receive a visual alert inside the bus .
https :// nasdpts24 . wildapricot . org / resources / Documents / 2019 % 20NASDPTS % 20Illegal % 20 Passing % 20Results % 20Summary-7-24-19-v2-Updated % 201-3-20 % 20to % 20Include % 20DC . pdf
Deirdre O ’ Brien is senior content specialist for Safe Fleet . Contact Safe Fleet to learn more at
www . safefleet . net .
24 | SCHOOL-BUSRIDE . COM | AUGUST 2021