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News


Generations of Growth Interest in wireless data technology soars across the country as districts and contractors learn to “crawl, walk, run”


WRITTEN BY ERIC WOOLSON


W


hether school districts and transportation contractors are on their first, second or even third-gen- eration wireless system, demand for data from the school bus is likely to continue growing expo- nentially as its value increases with real-time delivery. John Harden, who wears many hats as transportation director for the 1,500-student Manitou


Springs (Colo.) School District 14, said wireless data technology delivers more than information. “Peace of mind,” Harden said. “Peace of mind, for sure.” Harden, who even pitches in on maintenance for the district’s 17-bus fleet, made the first step into wireless data technology with GPS fleet tracking and handheld devices that drivers use for pre- and post-trip inspections. “Doing everything that I do, I told my boss it would be easier if we could key in information instead of having a bunch of paperwork that I had to look at,” Harden said. “Before (drivers) leave the bus barn, I know they did their pre-trip and before they go home, I know they did their post-check. At the end of the route, the driver goes to the back of the bus to check for students and the device lets me know the driver has gone to that zone and inspected the bus.” He added, “Before, we did it all with paper. Now, I know in real time that they did it. Once the drivers got used to it, they like it a lot better, too. It makes their pre-trip go a little quicker.” Harden has moved to the next phase of wireless technology, testing Zonar’s Z Pass system on special education buses to record when and where students board and exit along routes. He intends to continue that test into the 2017-2018 school year. Kevin Mest, senior vice president and general manager of passenger services at Seattle-based Zonar Systems, estimated that approximately half of the nation’s 480,000 yellow buses are equipped with at least rudimentary GPS or more sophisticated equipment.


18School Transportation News • AUGUST 2017


As wireless speeds get faster, interest will continue to grow among student transporters for data solutions.


CELEBRATING25YEARS


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