The Benefits of ADAS in School Buses

Homework For School Bus Drivers

Parents are rejoicing across the nations as kids prepare to go back to school, and while children may feel differently, there is lots to be done prior to the kick-off of the first day of classes. And school bus drivers are no exception. Bus drivers need to inspect their fleet vehicles prior to the first day of school and replace parts like mirrors, doors, lighting equipment and shock absorbers that may be wearing out or damaged. Furthermore, they should consider installing advanced technologies (ADAS) that are proven to increase safety and reduce the chances of accidents.

Keep reading to learn about ADAS – what it is and how it can benefit school bus fleet drivers.

Driver Assistance Technologies

Driver assistance has been around since the 1940s with the invention of cruise control but didn't pick up speed until the 1990s. Since the term's conception, driver assistance technologies have progressed to include traction control, electronic parking brakes, and other safety features designed for passenger cars and larger commercial vehicles.

What is ADAS?

ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and come in four different ways: Adaptive, Automated, Monitoring and Warning. These technologies use sensors and targeted mapping to alert drivers of risks and reduce the chances of accidents due to speed, lane departure and other present dilemmas.

Samsara offer great examples of the four types of ADAS technologies on their website:

• Adaptive ADAS help vehicles make small adjustments based on the environment around them. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) acknowledges driver speeds and adjusts the truck's speed accordingly to maintain a safe distance.
• Automated ADAS takes control in emergency situations. Automatic braking alerts and capabilities is an example of this type of ADAS technology.
• Monitoring ADAS is a surveillance system done through cameras and/or sensors. Think blind spot view mirrors and safe exit assist sensors as an example.
• Warning ADAS are automated technologies that offer real time alerts that measure speed, distance, angle, and other safety variables among vehicles. These warning systems let drivers know with an audio alert that danger is near, giving the driver time to change his or her driving style. Lane-Departure is a popular type of warning system.

In 2020, 38,824 people died in motor vehicle crashes tied to human error ( NHTSA). These auto accidents could've been avoided by installing ADAS technologies (and putting down the cell phone, burger, or whatever other excuse drivers had at the time).

School Bus Safety

School buses are the safest mode of transportation – in fact, kids that ride the school bus are 70 times more likely to arrive to school safely than travelling by car or bicycle. While it's wise to perform typical school bus maintenance duties, it's recommended to also consider installing ADAS systems to increase safety for all riders. ADAS technologies are helpful for picking up and dropping off kids to and from school bus also when cruising highways for field trips.

If ADAS sounds like a good option for your fleet vehicle, turn to WABCO to find the right driver assistance products for your specific application. WABCO doesn't just know ADAS – they've been supplying customers with advanced safe driving technologies for over 150 years!