Written by Mark Rowh T
echnology. You can’t live with it, and you can’t live without it. People shake their heads at the unavoidable glitches with advanced tech. But as companies keep introducing all kinds of innova-
tive features, transportation leaders are relying on the latest technology to tackle a variety of problems. “Using and implementing technology is such an im-
portant tool for those of us in pupil transportation,” said Robert Ball, transportation supervisor for Ridgemont Local Schools in Ohio. “We can cut out so much time trying to find answers with the technology right at our fingertips.” In the last three years, Ridgemont staff have solved a
number of problems by putting into place new camera systems, GPS and routing software, and improved lighting technology. The previous camera system was limited to a dashcam, one camera facing students, and another camera above the door pointed toward the driver compartment. The replacement system now includes four cameras with wide lenses, a stop-arm camera, and a dashcam. “The new cameras have enabled us to more easily
catch motorists that pass our stopped buses,” Ball noted. “We also get a much better view of the interior of the bus and see everything that’s going on.”
34 School Transportation News • APRIL 2024 The improved capabilities have reduced discipline
issues that devolve into “he said-she said” arguments, such as claims that a school bus arrived early at a stop or failed to make a stop. With routing software, the adoption process con- sumed a healthy amount of time, but efficiencies are now being realized that have actually had the opposite effect. “It has been such a time saver in being able to quickly change routes when a new student is added, or to address similar events,” Ball said. Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, Florida, has
also improved operations with new tech, explained Bill Wen, senior director of transportation services. This has included updating routing software to identify efficien- cies and create various bell-time models, improving the fuel management program, and adding a fluid manage- ment system for better usage monitoring. “The information from these programs integrates with our electronic fleet maintenance software,” Wen said. “This provides us better cost figures when reviewing the total cost of ownership of district vehicles.” The addition of wireless video download from buses has been another improvement, eliminating the need for
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