SPECIAL REPORT
for normal schedule inspec- tion intervals at this time. It is essential to have a good fleet maintenance system specifical- ly a [maintenance information system]. Without it, you have no visibility to manage day-to- day processes, which includes [preventive maintenance inspection] PMI compliance, asset utilization, road failures, [and] inventory management.” Investment in a good,
connected maintenance SaaS tool may be instrumental to keeping the buses rolling and students transported safely. “Now, more than ever,
utilizing connected technolo- gies to improve maintenance and service is critical to keep buses on the road,” said Sean Slyman, director of connected services for Navistar, the parent company of IC Bus. “Utilizing connected technologies can provide school bus fleets the right tools to reduce unplanned vehicle downtime. Connected technologies can help fleets manage challenges such as parts procurement or labor shortages through functionality like parts inventory manage- ment or guiding maintenance personnel through the vehicle diagnostic and repair process.” Slyman added connected technologies provide real-time information about bus perfor- mance. As issues occur, they can be addressed promptly. “The collection and as- sessment of more data can better inform the maintenance teams as to how the individual vehicles are performing and can provide specific insights into which items need to be addressed, and when,” he said. Slyman emphasized that
advanced connected technolo- 22 School Transportation News • MAY 2022
How would you classify your district/ company’s maintenance operations?
85% Preventative maintenance 8% Predictive maintenance 4% I don’t know
4% Other (hopeful that mechanics show up, a mix of predictive and preventive, reactive, when it breaks we fix it.) (Out of 114 responses to a recent magazine survey.)
42% of transportation directors/ supervisors stated their operation
is short mechanics. (Out of 113 responses.)
82% of school districts said the supply chain is affecting their
parts inventory. (Out of 114 responses.)
gy, used on the road and in the shop, demand that fleets em- brace it to improve or enhance how they service these vehicles. “Data-driven maintenance is the path forward to manage planned maintenance and pro- actively address the unexpected issues before they become cat- astrophic failures,” he noted. “We are developing predictive solutions that will build on our existing preventive maintenance capabilities and help us deliver industry-leading uptime.”
Meeting Challenges Connected technologies
address scheduling and can signal technicians to order parts and needed supplies to complete the scheduled main- tenance items. By tracking and scheduling maintenance, fleet managers can get a head start on logistical challenges they face in the wake of a pandemic and a supply chain shortage. “As the push becomes even
greater to move to a green fleet with higher initial cost outlays, budget constraints lengthen the retention of older buses creating an older fleet,” said Francine Furby, the director of the office of transportation ser- vices with the Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia. But she noted an impend-
ing problem affecting school bus maintenance is adequate part support. Her district is experiencing a delay in parts procurement and labor short- ages due to the pandemic. This is causing a trickle effect on current staff to work overtime and source parts to ensure that the buses are being maintained within state requirements. “There is always room to improve maintenance pro-
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