“Drivers learn to watch their lanes
of traffic, to drive in lanes with less traffic for better flow, for example,” Swackhamer said. “It all boils down to control of momentum. It’s con- trolling energy.” Part of Houston ISD’s driver
training includes eco driving training is similar to the “Drive SMART” program launched by First Stu- dent that gives tips to improve fuel efficiency by driving safely, managing speeds, avoiding rapid acceleration and hard braking, all key components to reducing idling. Meanwhile, National Express, the
parent company of Durham School Services, last year implemented a nationwide program to prevent excess idling from its 13,900-bus fleet operating in 30 states and to replace 30 of its older buses in the New England area. National Express Corporation CEO David Duke told STN last year that fuel consump-
tion information would be analyzed from the company’s buses that are equipped with GPS. Indeed, in helping to reduce idling, the first step begins with the driver. Which is why Putnam City Public Schools’ training to its drivers begins with educating them on the grant the district obtained that helped revamp its reduced-idling program and its importance to the students and the community. “We help them to buy into the idea that in having this program, it’s better for the environment and for our neighbors. Most drivers live in the district,” he said.
FUEL CALCULATOR OPTIONS As part of Tulsa Public Schools’ reduced-idling
program, Assistant Transportation Director Rosalyn Vann-Jackson utilizes the fuel savings calculator by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to gauge her yellow bus fleet’s internal calculations to those measured on a national scale. “Based on that calculator, we are saving 1,125 gallons of fuel for an estimated savings of $4,500 annually,” she said. The American School Bus Council also offers a fuel calculator anyone can use, and at press time Blue Bird was working on a propane-autogas fuel calculator for the iPad to go live sometime in early summer, said company spokeswoman Erin Lake. A district enters their current diesel and proposed propane-autogas price, their mpg for diesel and propane and bus acquisition costs, and the calcula- tor determines the fuel savings. ROUSH CleanTech offers on its website a savings calculator that includes fuel, and an emissions calculator for those with propane-autogas school buses.
Security of Parents’ Arms
to theSafety of Their Seat From the
CROSSINGGU RD Helps Keep Kids Safe
SCHOOL BUS ARM ENFORCEMENT
See Us At Booth #127 Making Life Safer and Easier on the Road Ahead™ Making Life Safer and Easier on the Road Ahead™
60 School Transportation News July 2013
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92