Located in Talladega , Alabama , AIDB has been serving students with visual and hearing impairments since its establishment in 1858 . The institution operates six campuses and 10 regional centers across the state , providing specialized education and services to students of all ages . Transportation plays a crucial role in ensuring students can access these services . AIDB ’ s transportation system consists of 37 school buses , all of which are special-needs equipped , with nearly half being wheelchair accessible . The operation includes eight daily K-12 routes , five adult routes , additional routes for weekly student commutes home , and trips for extracurricular activities . “ With our extended routes , our buses are often on the road at odd hours , as early as 4:00 AM and as late as 11:00 PM ,” says Sammy Gilliam , AIDB ’ s transportation director . “ That means we ’ re operating in total darkness for a significant part of the day , making visibility and safety a huge concern .”
The First Light Solution Given these challenges , AIDB sought a solution to improve school bus visibility . That solution came in the form of First Light Safety Products . Introduced to AIDB by Ben Word of Transportation South , the First Light team demonstrated their innovative illuminated school bus signage and stop-arm full illumination technology . The impact was immediate . First Light Safety Products is known for its technology that enhances school bus safety . Their products include :
• Illuminated School Bus Signs : These LED-illuminated signs ensure that approaching drivers can clearly identify a school bus , even in the darkest conditions . They are significantly more visible than traditional reflective signs .
• Fully Illuminated Stop Arms : These stop arms feature highvisibility LED lighting , which fully illuminate the entire red octagon and white STOP letters , making it nearly impossible for drivers to miss when a bus is stopping to load or unload students . By being immediately recognizable as a STOP sign , drivers have critical added time to respond .
• Edge-Lit Light Dispersion Technology : Unlike passive reflectors , First Light ’ s products actively emit light , significantly reducing the risk of low-visibility accidents .
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