“For the time being, we are sticking with the 20 buses


we already have designated, as they travel in what we consider some of our most dangerous traffic areas,” Harri- son explained. Depending on budgets and the results of studies of the


units’ impact, more purchases may be in the offing. But that remains to be seen given that the need may not be as great in less densely populated areas, he added. “We’re excited about having the illuminated lights. But


with the cost in mind, we need to be picky out of the gate in regard to the buses we put the lights on,” Harrison said.


LEDs and More While the illuminated signs may be attention- grabbing, other developments are also impacting safety, especially LEDs. “There are numerous ways in which LED lighting and signage products can be employed to draw greater attention to school buses on the road, especially during the critical on-loading/off-loading times when school bus passengers are at greater risk,” commented Bill Wakefield, the director of sales and marketing for Opti-Luxx. Formed in 2019 as a separate company after the sale of


its product line by SoundOff Signal, Opti-Luxx recently brought forth several new LED products. The 4903 Series LED Beacon line, available in amber and white in both full-size and low-profile versions, features a high- quality EVA gasket that provides exceptional water-tight connections to the bus roof. Easier installation is also a plus for a new illuminated destination sign, which is surface-mounted rather than grommet-mounted, eliminating the need for making a large cut-out on the bus caps. Along with decreased installation costs, it also reduces the likelihood of water ingress and corrosion associated with large cut-outs. Opti-Luxx also introduced a new lower cost LED


dome light. Offerings include a higher light output version for those who want far more light in the bus interior than can be achieved by the same number of incandescent fixtures. Also new on the scene are warning and stop lamps


from Star Headlight & Lantern designed to enhance rather than replace existing lighting. Introduced earlier this year, these lamps are placed lower on the bus to provide direct signal flash to oncoming drivers. Corey Weterrings, the company’s director of marketing, noted that normally as a vehicle approaches a stopped school bus, the motorist passes the focal point of the existing warning/stop lamp, which reduces the intended visual warning. Adding the auxiliary lighting to the bot- tom of the bus allows drivers of oncoming vehicles to see it at their level, he said. The result is a one-two punch. The


44 School Transportation News • MAY 2021


oncoming vehicle gets the benefit of the current high- mount lamp, and the secondary lamp provides additional close-up warning. The unit features 18 LEDs, selectable flash patterns in either of two phases, and programmable options for each enable line, Weterrings explained. For those ready to replace halogen headlamps, Grote


Industries offers 90 mm standalone high beam and low beam headlamps along with a combination of high beam/ low beam bi-LED headlamp module. The hard-coated, high-impact polycarbonate lens is complemented by a cast-aluminum housing with sealed integrated connector, and a mounting system with included adjustment rods designed to replace standard 90 mm halogen headlamps. Other products such as strobe lights from Weldon, a


division of Akron Brass, also take advantage of LED tech- nology to provide bright, clear lighting. The 1432 and 1632 series, which features 32 LEDs and provide 19 flash patterns, come in round and oval dimensions and fit in existing four-inch and six-inch holes. Beacons and strobes from Superior Signals offer the


advantages typical of LED products, including up to 100,000 hours of operation and non-volatile memory that recalls the last flash pattern used at power-up. The 22040 series features 11 flash patterns. At New York’s Coxsackie-Athens, buses have been


recently upgraded to LED lighting inside and out. This includes light covers to keep snow and ice off the lights and roof lights for morning fog and inclement weather. Nugent is especially pleased with interior LED passenger lighting. “There are no more problems with low light areas and checking for sleeping children,” he said. Does all this mean incandescent light bulbs are a thing


of the past? The reality is a big no. While LED options might garner more attention, incandescent lights (reds, ambers, strobes and marker lights) still provide solid and relatively inexpensive results. The advantage of their lower cost can be difficult to ignore, especially when multiplied not just by the number of lights needed on a single bus, but also across an entire fleet. While the longer lives of LEDS may support a pay-me-now or pay-me-later argument, the challenges of limited annual budgets may take precedence. Regardless of the specific choices, insuring the best possible lighting seems like a no-brainer. “Create a plan as you replace and upgrade your fleet


or rebid your transportation contracts to install new technology,” Nugent advised. “Anything we can do to increase visibility to keep kids safe on our buses is an investment in our future.” ●


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