Stephen C. Satterly, II – Author

Stephen C. Satterly, II School Transportation News
Thought Leader Article June 2016

“Scienta potential est,” which is Latin for “knowledge is power,” is an adage every transportation director should take to heart. When a bus incident report comes in, we try to collect as much information as possible. Such efforts allow us to control a situation quickly and effectively.

Modern technology, such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), can be a tremendous asset in the pursuit of information if we understand how to make the most of it. Knowing the who, what, when, where, and why of an incident quickly can be invaluable in decision-making.

Traditionally, the primary technology used by directors to acquire knowledge has been two-way radios. Today, that consists of narrow-band digital radios. A driver with a radio can communicate the five W’s of an incident to the extent they know it. But what if the driver is incapacitated? How will the director obtain the information needed to make good decisions?

GPS can provide the precise location of a school bus to within 10 meters, providing the where. GPS-centered tracking applications can supply a director with their bus locations at any given moment. These systems can also provide, among other things:

• Engine telemetry
• Speed
• Braking
• Use of amber lights
• Stop-arm deployments

Modern systems can provide real-time data in tremendous volumes to support driver behavior, bus maintenance, and other operational management efforts. Scientia potential est!

Combining RFID technology with GPS can provide critical information during an emergency. The primary objective of school staff is the safety of students. Knowing which of them is on a bus during an incident is vital. Access to real-time data, identifying which students are on a bus, can be the difference between a quick, successful resolution and a protracted nightmare.

The information new technologies provide during emergency situations is vital, but they can also be useful in the management of an organization. GPS and tracking systems, like bar codes, can supply real-time data to monitor bus mileage, fuel usage, parts inventory, and maintenance schedules, all of which increase efficiency.

The GPS and RFID technologies that track student counts on buses can also identify the nearest bus, or buses, that have the capacity to transport students when there is an accident or breakdown. Alternatively, GPS systems can be used to re-route buses away from problem areas.

Unfortunately, this technology is not free, and no one’s budget is unlimited. Technology costs can be daunting, especially with recurring subscription costs for some software. Individual fleets should consider technology as a capital investment or seek grants to cover some, if not all, costs.

An important consideration in any budget outlay is the return on investment (ROI). Software can often reduce man-hours and material usage costs. More efficient routing can lower overtime and fuel costs. Parts and maintenance tracking can reduce inventory and repair costs. Identifying applications with the best ROI requires an understanding of data-driven decision-making.

Technology is not a magic wand that will make everything work. A bad organization will remain a bad organization. Technology can’t fix poor procedures and ineffective policies. What technology does is give quick access to lots of data. If an organization isn’t using the information it collects now, then automating data collection will just give it more data it won’t use.

You’re much better off making sure you have effective procedures in place before implementing new technology, as it will make implementation more difficult and costly to set up and get working if you don’t.

To help ensure you get the data you need and get the most effective use of it. First, consult the people who’ll use it. Have them help identify needs and develop a plan beforehand. You also don’t have to get everything at once. Determine what gives you the biggest bang for your buck, then work from there as you realize the savings once the system is operational.

Scientia potential est. If you’re smart, you’ll use it wisely.