History of School Buses
The history of school buses is a long and fascinating one. From horse-drawn wagons to motorized vehicles, the design and technology of school buses have undergone significant changes over the years. Despite this evolution, safety has always been a top priority for school buses. This blog explores the rich history of school buses, looking at the innovations and advancements that have made them a vital component of the American education system.
Horse-Drawn Vehicles: At the beginning of the 20th century, America was experiencing a rapid expansion of urban areas, leaving many families scattered across rural regions. However, the rudimentary road network and limited number of vehicles available at the time meant that children had to walk several miles to get to school.
To address this issue, Wayne Works developed the “Kid Hack,” a horse-drawn carriage that became the primary mode of school transportation.
These conveyances featured a wooden exterior and interior, a top made of tarpaulin, perimeter bench seating, and a capacity of up to 20 passengers. Interestingly, to avoid startling the horses, the Kid Hack had a rear-end entrance door that is still used today as an emergency exit.
Shifting into High Gear: During the initial decades, the design of buses underwent various modifications, with the development of motorized propulsion being a significant factor. In 1927, Blue Bird dealerships started producing buses with steel bodies and roofs to match the increased speed capabilities.
Some of the significant changes were:
- Steel exterior and wooden benches
- Top clad in steel
- Double seats on each side, separated by an aisle.
- Capacity: Up to 30 passengers.
The Beginning of Standardization: Representatives from body, chassis, and paint manufacturers convened at Columbia University in 1939 with the aim of standardizing the design and production of school buses to enhance student safety while reducing costs.
A total of 44 standards were established governing bus dimensions and seating arrangements, and some of these standards remain in use today. One of the most recognizable changes was the adoption of a universal paint color for all school buses, commonly known as “school bus yellow.”
As the student population grew in the 1950s to 1970s, school bus manufacturers began constructing larger buses, requiring an increase in body weight and resistance.
Finishing the century on a high note: In the late 20th century, there was a trend towards standardization in the design, engineering, and construction of school buses.
In 1977, NHTSA established four Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for School Buses, leading to changes in passenger seating and exterior features like additional emergency exits.
The next decade saw the rise of rear-engine buses, offering improved driver visibility and passenger comfort. Drivers were also targets of new rules. Now, all school bus drivers had to obtain a commercial driver’s license issued at the state and federal levels.
The New School Bus: Better and Safer: In the early 2000s, a new type of school bus was introduced with a truck-type exterior design. Safety improvements were a major focus during this period, including the use of LED lights for better visibility, the redesign of seat belts from lap-type to 3-point models, and the installation of security cameras and GPS tracking devices in some school buses for increased safety and security. Today, most school districts have fleet software that allows them to monitor various aspects inside and outside the buses. Systematically scheduling school routes, recording student attendance on the bus, and tracking the maintenance of the bus fleet are some of the functions of today’s computer programs
What the Future Holds: Road to More Environmentally Friendly Buses: While diesel fuel is commonly used in large school buses and rural areas, alternative fuel systems, such as LPG/propane or electric power, can be used on urban and suburban routes to decrease and eliminate CO2 emissions.
The transition to 100% pollution-free electric school buses is critical for the future. The use of electric school buses is experiencing rapid growth across the country, as thirty-eight states have committed to procuring more than 12,000 electric school buses.
In the first half of 2022, several states took significant steps to drive the transition to clean school buses.
Most significantly, New York enacted a nation-leading commitment to achieve a zero-emission school bus fleet by 2035. Shortly after that, three other states passed similar fleet electrification targets.
School buses have come a long way. From horse-drawn carriages to electric-powered machines equipped with the latest technology, the school transportation industry has adapted to the needs of its stakeholders. Even so, their primary function remains the same: to transport students to and from school safely and responsibly.
A commitment to the future
New technologies have improved the safety and efficiency of the school transportation system. So, school districts need more efficient and reliable tools to manage school bus fleets and ensure that children get to and from school. If you want a state-of-the-art operation system outfitted with precision instrumentation, check out Busology Tech.
We understand the challenges that school districts face in managing their transportation systems. Our goal is to provide them with the best tools possible to streamline their operations and improve their efficiency. As we look to the future of school transportation, we remain committed to advancing our software solutions to meet the evolving needs of school districts across the country.
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