A new school bus prototype equipped with the latest safety features will be tested for the first time in Columbus and, depending on results and feedback, could be used on the streets across Ohio.
High visibility lighting and reflective markings on the bus will be tested by Columbus City Schools. The district and Ohio State Highway Patrol will monitor how motorists react and measure usability, costs and practicality of the new bus.
The prototype features:
A High Visibility Package
. LED-bright amber (yellow) and red flashing lights on the front of the bus to notify oncoming traffic when a bus is slowing or coming to a stop.
. Large reflective striping on the back of the bus – making the bus more visible in the dark from a greater distance – to prevent rear-end collisions.
. Bright-white LED ground wash lights along the sides of the bus to give the bus driver a better field of vision when students are walking next to the bus.
. Back-up camera to assist the bus driver when operating the bus in reverse.
Safer Seating
. Two rows of integrated booster seats with seatbelts for younger, smaller students who might typically travel in a child safety seat in a normal passenger car.
. Two rows of three-point safety seat belts (like you might see in a personal car) for student riders of all sizes.
National School Bus Safety Week runs October 16 – 20. For more information, click here.