b'while driving in adverse weather conditions. this one driver, I would say it has increased safety.I see this as similar to ABS, said Burr. New buses areBut transportation directors are quick to point out that now coming with ABS and have been for a number ofthe adoption of this new technology has been slowyears. Its just another step to make the industry safer. Idespite IC Bus making its collision mitigation system see it as an ongoing evolution that comes with the coststandard on all newly-purchased school buses, and of doing business. It makes our operations safer. Thomas offering its solution for the past three years.A complimentary technology to collision mitigationRafael Salazar is the director of transportation at solutions is the electronic stability control system, or ESC,Northside Independent School District, which covers which Blue Bird, IC Bus and Thomas Built Buses now354 square miles on the northwest side of San Antonio, provide as standard equipment. Texas. Like Tom Burr, he noted that school buses are Manassas City Schools in Virginia uses the Mobile Eyefollowing commercial automobiles and trucks in terms forward collision warning system, pedestrian and cyclistof technology. He is quite upbeat about the adoption of detection, headway monitoring to avoid tailgating, lanecollision mitigation systems, but he stressed that adop-departure warning, and speed limit indicator in tandemtion needs to happen faster.with the WABCO Smartract ESC on nine of its Thom- Specifically, he said he sees the value of collision as C2 Saf-T-Liner buses. Being that we almost alwaysavoidance systems as two-fold. First, parents and driv-cancel school when it snows or [the roads have] ice, theers need to know that we are very serious about their traction control is not used to its fullest, said Director ofsafety, added Salazar. Secondly, the bus industry is Transportation Joe Yankoviak. doing good, and following the auto industry with safety He reported that Mobile Eye reduced the speed andfeatures and data to support these features on buses. following distance of at least one of the districts drivers.There is a big future, but [it is] slow to integrate.Most drivers are fine driving with [the technology]. TheyThis will likely change, as more systems become say that it takes a little getting used to, he explained. Ifstandard and fleets undergo their normal replacement Mobile Eye increases safety, then its worth having. Withcycles.QUAL I T YM AT T E R Swww.stnonline.com39'