Connecting on the Bus W
A Tyler Technologies representative demonstrates how school bus drivers logon to the Drive tablet during the STN EXPO Trade Show on July 26.
routes in instances of traffic or road closures. Tyler representatives said the tablet can be mounted near the driver cockpit per district or state specifications, and even specific to vehicle configuration. Transportation administrators can also set the tablet to go dark when the vehicle is “drive” to limit any potential driver distraction issues. Sorrells said that he can envision
the Drive tablet eventually enabling Dallas County buses to meet its goal of providing Wi-Fi hotspots to allow students to do homework and receive video tutoring. “It (the school bus) should be an extension of the learning environ- ment for a child in addition to being a safe transport to and from school,” he added. Tyler representatives said future upgrades to Drive will also include pre- and post-trip inspections, two-way messaging and GPS vehicle monitoring. A half-dozen other districts nationwide are piloting the Drive tablet. Longview School District #22 in Washington state recently
worked with Tyler Technoligies and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction on an eight-week test of the Drive tablet to develop a new state specfication. Beginning Sept. 1, school districts
there can now mount “Mobile Data Terminals,” or MDTs, in an area that will not block the view of the driver out the bus windshield and will not obstruct any gauges, mirrors, indica- tor lights or controls.
Te spec also states that MDTs must also be mounted so they do not create a “snagging hazard” in the student loading area of the service door. Additionally, audio and/or visual turn-by-turn instructions from the tablets are allowed while the bus is being operated. Te spec directs that audible directions shall not use the speakers within the passenger compartment.
SEEING 20-20 Zonar Systems, which Dallas County Schools currently uses for its school bus GPS and pre- and post-trip inspection needs, also offers the industry an Android
46 School Transportation News • SEPTEMBER 2016
hen Tim Hooks became director of transportation at the Huntsville Independent School District in Texas just over three years ago, he set the goal of implementing a Wi-Fi program for his school bus fleet. “Our district is over 600 square miles and we go through lots of dirt roads, those kind of things,” he said. “So I really wanted some type of GPS solu- tion and Wi-Fi solution that would give our kids opportunity since they’re on the bus an hour and a half to two hours each way.” Hooks, along with the district’s technolo- gy director set off on a two-year journey of researching their options until they decided to go with Presidio. They wanted a solution that met their needs and wants, such as GPS navigation, Wi-Fi for students, real-time engine telematics, checking students on and off the bus, among others. “After doing our research, and doing demos and trials for a little over two years, Presidio was the one solution that came back and met all of our needs and everything that we were looking for,” Hooks said. “Instead of (giving us) a pre-built solution and trying to figure out how to make it work for us, they were able to create the solution that we needed.” Hooks added that the technology is something students, parents and drivers alike have embraced. Students are more fo- cused on the longer bus rides and enjoy the ability to get work done while on the road. Huntsville ISD is a 1:1 district, so many stu- dents have tablets to do their homework on the bus. Parents also have the option of be- ing notified when their child gets on or off the bus and when the bus is approaching its destination. Hooks said that currently, 15 out of the district’s 87 buses are equipped with the Wi-Fi and GPS technology, with plans to have the entire fleet connected in the future. “We are excited about what opportunities this is going to offer for our students,” he said.
-Jeanette Reveles
CELEBRATING25YEARS
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