the simulator and the accompanying training curriculum have caused bus drivers statewide to be more sensitive to the funda- mentals of student transportation. Te data shows an average of 538 school bus-related accidents


a year from 2004 through 2008. Since the introduction of the simulator, there were 332 accidents in 2009 and 239 through last October. Te severity of the accidents also lessened. Te average claim amount dropped from $5,200 between 2004 and 2008 to $3,267 in 2009 and $2,915 through the first 10 months of 2010. Te amount of total claims paid out for the same period dropped from $2.7 million from 2004 to 2008 to $1.085 million in 2009 to just under $700,000 through October. Shanna Bailey, who teaches a classroom unit along with the


simulator training, said the simulator can duplicate just about any road condition or circumstance, including breakdowns, mountainous and slippery roads, snow, rain, heavy traffic, pedes- trians, night driving, and improper following distances. Motion sickness has even been simulated for some drivers. “Our only limitations are we can’t simulate a flipped bus, and


we cannot simulate wind,” Bailey said. Bailey, a former teacher and school bus driver, said the simula-


tor is good for novices and for veteran drivers seeking to fulfill state-mandated refresher requirements. “Transportation directors can’t get enough of it,” said Bailey. Te Trust invested in the simulator after determining that


school bus accidents were among the largest source of losses for school districts. Further analysis revealed that, while the most frequent accidents involved right turns, the most severe were left turns across traffic. Accidents that occurred while backing, improper following distances and changing lanes were also monitored. Recent student fatalities and injuries in school bus accidents


have resulted in a renewed focus on driver behavior. School bus drivers traditionally receive less training than their counter- parts who pilot other high profile passenger, commercial and emergency vehicles. Trust officials say the simulator narrows that training gap. “Te simulator makes school buses safer for children and the


roads safer for everyone,” Frandsen says. “Te Trust purchased the simulator for savings and safety and because it was the right thing to do.” School districts in Texas and Virginia followed Arizona’s lead,


but with stationary units. Arizona’s simulator is mobile. Tere has been an attempt to push school bus driver simulators in other states as well, including Nevada. “Te mobility feature is priceless,” says Armando Cuellar, a


board member and past president of the Arizona Association for Pupil Transportation. “Tey’ve hit almost every corner of the state and drivers want this type of training.” Cuellar is the transportation supervisor for the Madison


School District where the simulator is stored. His drivers helped determine the unit’s software functions. “Having the simulator here helps us keep our drivers current,”


he said. “Te Trust has come up with a great idea and they’ve con- tracted with people who know what drivers need to know.” ■


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