able to drive a unit back to the shop with a charging system malfunction. Dual bat- teries are lasting over double what singles had been. We have some units still using the same multiple batteries that are over 12 years old.” When it comes to replacing old batter-
ies, some districts use multiple ways to track the installation, with work orders (56 percent) and marking the date on the battery (nearly 47 percent) as the top two practices. Other districts save all the information, from the new battery instal- lation to the retirement of an old battery, in a computerized maintenance program, like Spring Independent School District in Houston, Texas. “We track our batteries from the time
they are installed until they are out of service,” stated Shop Foreman Anthony Loscuito. When it comes to storing batteries, a lit-
tle more than 64 percent of respondents keep an inventory of batteries on hand.
Of that group, nearly 29 percent store their batteries dry (without acid added), almost 62 percent percent store them wet (with acid already in them) and about 10 percent keep batteries stored with a trickle charger connected so that they are always ready to go as soon as they are installed, which, according to STN regular contributor Denny Coughlin, extends the life of the batteries.
State of the Solutions: EGR vs. SCR As a final subject to touch on in this
year’s maintenance survey, we decided to examine the SCR/EGR compliance conun- drum. Of the 186 respondents (about 37 percent of the survey’s total contributors) who answered the questions concern- ing which 2010-compliant solution they have chosen, 48 percent said exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) school buses are being used. Meanwhile, 26.3 percent said they chose the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) route. On the other hand, about of
quarter of the participants said they chose to utilize both solutions in their fleets. But these two engine compliance op-
tions aren’t the only avenues districts are using to meet the stringent EPA emission standards. Propane provided another option for a handful of the sur- vey contributors. When it comes to handling the diesel
exhaust fluid (DEF), there were those who used it as a reason to instead choose EGR, and others who felt that it was a non-issue. “Te drivers have done an amazing job
reporting when they are low on the DEF fluid, which is monitored by a gauge on the dashboard,” said Franklin Township Community Schools’ Justin Wilczynski. “Te engines are pretty much the same, and our mechanics see very little differ- ences compared to past engines.” But, with both technologies still new to
the industry as a whole, the decision on which solution to choose appears to be garnering the most attention. n
AX-0009 Privitization ad STN:AX-0009 Privitization ad STN 7/12/10 3:31 PM Page 1
Atlantic Express fleets have access to and can be equipped with GreenRoad™, a high tech personalized driving coach combined with GPS that provides immediate feedback to help measure, improve and sustain safe and fuel-efficient driving decisions. Drivers, transportation managers and any other personnel are provided access to web-based performance reports and analysis. The system empowers drivers and fleets to reduce crashes, improve fuel economy and reduce overall vehicle operating costs.
GreenRoad is just one of the innovations you can expect when you choose Atlantic Express for your student transportation. Let us provide safe, clean, reliable transportation for your school district. To learn more, call 1-800-336-3886 ext. 8073.
7 North Street Staten Island, NY 10302
www.atlanticexpress.com 52 School Transportation News Magazine March 2011
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