The School Bus Stop

Is School Bus Tracking Responsible?

2008-12-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

With any capital expenditure, you have to weigh the costs and benefits. School bus tracking is no different. School bus tracking, using a GPS tracking system, requires an initial investment in hardware and a monthly tracking cost (at least in most cases - the exceptions aren't usually practical).

To properly start a GPS tracking program for tracking school buses, a district needs to make a legitimate commitment of capital. So, the key question is whether this is worth it or not.

Certainly, given what I do, I believe school bus tracking is well worth the investment. But, don't assume that my arguments are wholly based on my desire to gain income from the sale of GPS tracking. Rather, consider the arguments for school bus tracking on their own merit.

The first thing to consider is the safety of students riding school buses. School buses are now equipped with cameras to see the inside of the school bus and a system to ensure that a driver walks to the rear of the school bus after turning off the engine to be certain that no students remain on the school bus at the end of the day. But, these devices do nothing to ensure that a school bus is being driven responsibly. GPS tracking of school buses accomplishes this. School bus tracking, using a GPS tracking solution, allows administrators and dispatchers to know when a driver is speeding and when a driver has left route for some reason.

In addition to tracking the school bus using GPS, it is possible to track the students. For instance, SchoolBusRoster.com offers a simple solution that can tell school administrators when students have entered and exited a school bus. And, by using the GPS tracking in tandem, school bus locations can be matched with the entry and exit locations of the students being tracked. All of this is done with the highest regard for the privacy of the students.

Another thing to consider in relation to school bus tracking is cost savings. School bus tracking with a GPS tracking system can alert school district officials to excessive idling, speeding, taking longer routes, and unauthorized use of school buses. Fuel savings alone could pay for the cost of the GPS tracking units and service.

In the end, the number 1 issue is the safety of the students riding school buses. That alone makes school bus tracking a thing to seriously consider. The number 1 killer of teens in America is automobile accidents. I hope we can avoid as many as possible on school buses.

Take care,

Steven Van Ooyen

Substance Abuse and Bus Drivers

2008-11-21T18:13:00.001-08:00

Have you ever heard of a bus driver in your town or district having a substance abuse problem? In our little suburb, we hear about upper middle class parents with substance abuse problems. I meet moms and dads with issues. So, I don't think there is any reason we should expect bus drivers to be any different.

There is a story in Montgomery County Texas about a problem with a bus driver who was arrested driving under the influence. The driver was from Conroe. You can read the story here.

The question is what can districts and parents do to protect students from being on buses where the drivers are under the influence of any substance.

I don't think it is practical to check each driver. However, there is the possibility of such a thing. For instance, Smart Start, Inc. sales, installs, and maintains ignition interlock systems. These systems make drivers blow into a Breathalyzer before starting the vehicle. Their breath is tested for blood alcohol content. If the level is too high, the vehicle will not start. There is an expense, but is it worth it to ensure that school bus drivers are always sober?

The technology available today can do wonders for buses, students, and drivers. Whether it is GPS tracking, student tracking, on board cameras, or Breathalyzers, technology helps make students safer on school buses. Could your district be the first to install a Breathalyzer?

Take care,

Steven Van Ooyen

CEO - Track What Matters

School Bus News November 17

2008-11-17T19:21:00.000-08:00

Today, a bus rolled over in California. The Ventura Star reported it here. Let's be all thankful that no students were on the bus. There is not an immediate understanding of what happened.

That makes me wonder if they had any kind of GPS tracking or video surveillance. If there is GPS tracking or video surveillance on this school bus, it will be interesting to see what those show. There is good reason for these types of surveillance. Understanding what happened here, in a case where no students were involved, can be invaluable to prevent a school bus crash with injured students.

Does your school district have video and GPS surveillance? If not, why? Would you as an administrator or parent like to see your school buses under closer watch?

Take care,

Steven Van Ooyen

CEO - Track What Matters

Where Should School Districts Spend Their Money?

2008-11-11T08:04:00.000-08:00

In New Hampshire, one of the fundamental issues of student transportation is being debated. A problem exists where students are being "delivered" late to and from school. Some progress is made by changing bus routes and assignments. But, there exists a concern with the consolidation of bus stops to save time. Fewer bus stops would result in students having to travel further from home in the dark and cold to wait for buses. Read the story here. Though there was money originally allocated to purchase a new bus, that money has been revoked due to budget constraints.

This begs the question of what priorities precede that of purchasing another bus. This is no judgement on the school district but simply a question. I can imagine the decisions they have to make. Do they purchase more technology for classrooms or a bus? Do they purchase more equipment for athletic programs or a bus? Do they purchase library books or a bus?

In other news today...

In Manchester yesterday, a bus was struck by a 69 year old man who did not see the bus "because he was blinded by the sun". 11 students were injured. None of the injuries was serious. Read the story here.

I'm always interested in your thoughts. Where does student transportation rank in your district?

Keep them safe,

Steven Van Ooyen

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Mobile Camera Stations

2008-11-10T13:45:00.001-08:00

An article in the Canadian Press today talks about adding cameras to school buses. The intent is to deter drivers from passing stopped school buses. The question is, "will it work"?

I think it has a good chance. People change their behaviour when they know they are being watched or monitored. The insurance industry knows this. In my discussions with industry officials, some insurance companies would be willing to lower rates for insured motorists based on the number of stop light cameras in the area the drivers drive. The insurance companies have a long way to go before they could convince the vast majority of drivers to put GPS tracking on their vehicles to share with the insurance companies. However, the statistics prove the fact that people that are monitored act differently.

We see the same thing in our business with GPS tracking for fleets. People who know they are being tracked act very differently. In the same way, companies that put up security cameras in key areas see employee theft drop. So, it stands to reason that, if you can get the word out that the school buses are equipped with cameras that will capture an illegal passing of a school bus, you could deter drivers from putting children at risk with their impatience.

I will be interested to see the outcome of the project. When I find out more I will be sure to tell you how the cameras on school buses project went.

Let me know if you are considering this or something else.

Cheers,

Steven Van Ooyen

Blue Bird puts out a new propane powered school bus.

November 7 - School bus news and regulations

2008-11-07T10:43:00.000-08:00

It seems the NTSB is intent on requiring seat belts on buses. You probably already knew that.

But now, there is also a requirement limiting cell phone use as well. That one seems pretty reasonable. Bus drivers are performing a specific job and the safety of the students their buses carry is of utmost importance. So, this one, in my mind, has little to do with personal freedoms and everything to do with safety on the job and student safety. Read the article.

SUV crashes into a school bus in Connecticut hospitalizing 5 students.

Minivan rearends school bus in North Carolina. No students were seriously hurt.

A final thought if you are thinking school buses need some work to be safer... Take a look at this picture from Vancleave, Mississippi. Vancleave School Bus.

Keep the kids safe.

Steven Van Ooyen

In Edmonton, Alberta, school officials are requiring additional flashing lights and uniform driver hiring as part of a 10 point plan by the Minister of Transportation.

November 6 Bus News

2008-11-06T18:12:00.000-08:00

I spent some time this evening looking for school bus stories from around the country.

Yesterday, a bus full of students in Dallas County rear ended another bus full of children. Read more: School bus crash

Bus driver at fault in Mississippi.

If you are in charge of buses and students, keep them safe!

Steven Van Ooyen

CEO - Track What Matters