360-Degree S
WRITTEN BY ART GISSENDANER
chool districts are showing a growing interest in a devel- oping trend in video technology they believe could have a tremendous impact on student safety around the school bus by making the Danger Zone less dangerous.
Te technology is known by different product names, depending upon the manufacturer, but its common vernacular is the 360-degree video camera system. It comprises a series of cameras mounted around the bus that complements FMVSS mirror systems by effectively eliminating driver blind spots that have proven so deadly in the past. Te Danger Zone is defined by the industry as a 10-foot radius
around the school bus that might conceal a student’s presence. Te five-foot areas immediately in front of the bus from fender to fender and to the right rear quadrant of the bus are considered especially dangerous for student pedestrians. School bus OEMs Tomas Built Buses and Collins Bus offer the technology as options as do the industry’s traditional video surveillance providers. But the practice of customers specifying the cameras is in its “infancy” right now, said Matt Scheuler, vice president of Collins for parent company REV Group. “Districts are still educating themselves on what’s available and
their overall features and benefits,” he added. One of those taking note is Houston Independent School
District. Shop Manager Andres Montes said he’s been impressed with the 360-degree system on display at trade shows. Houston currently has a four-camera system but blind spots remain. “What I like most about the 360-degree system is you can see everything around you from the view above the bus,” he explained. “If some- thing is there you’ll be able to see it.” Josh Rice, transportation director for nearby New Caney ISD,
said even though his district does not have the 360-degree camera system, he believes it will become very popular in the school bus market by adding to the safety of students around the bus. “As we train new drivers, we always stress the danger zones that exist around the buses,” Rice said. “What a great way to assist the driver in eliminating that area by being able to see it on camera. I believe that it will aide in the loading and unloading process by giving the
360-degee view around the bus.” Rice added that the district’s most recent school bus order was placed before the 360-camera system was introduced. He said it will be included in the district’s next set of school bus specifica- tions. Until then, the district will continue to use backup cameras. “Tis allows drivers to see objects that may lie in the blind spot directly behind the bus,” Rice said, adding. “Drivers are encour- aged to not use the backup camera to back the bus, that’s what our mirrors are for.” Lori Jetha, director of marketing for video surveillance manu-
facturer Seon, said 360-degree technology has been around for a couple years but has just recently received media notice. “We’ve seen this type of system become more popular within the past year,” Jetha said. “But there are still not that many systems in operation. I think it’s a matter of awareness because the technology is available. As an industry, we just have to get the word out.” Jetha explained that Seon’s 360 system uses four cameras— one on each side of the bus. Te images are stitched together via computer software into images on a split-screen dashboard monitor. Te image the driver sees is controlled by the direction the bus is going. Te rear camera gives the driver an image of what’s behind the bus when it is in reverse. Te road ahead is displayed when the bus is going forward. Te cameras on either side of the bus are activated by the turn signals. Some manufacturers offer a bird’s eye view looking down on the bus. Tis view is displayed on the split screen. Te view looking to the front and the bird’s eye view are live and will show any object coming near the bus on all sides. Te monitor displaying images are an option for school districts concerned about distracted bus drivers. Te 360 system obviates the need for backup cameras. Jetha said backup cameras are a relatively low cost solution if backing up is the main concern. Most school district prohibit school bus drivers from backing up unless they have a guide or they are navigating the bus yard. Some states have laws prohibiting it. “We’ve found the view in the front of the bus and the curbside view are most important. If there’s a child running beside the bus the driver might not see that in a side mirror because it is a blind spot,” she
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VIDEO TECHNOLOGY ADDRESSES BLIND SPOTS
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