SAFE FLEET NEWS

Predictive Stop Arm™ aims to use radar technology and predictive analytics to proactively prevent illegal passing from happening

Belton, Missouri (OCTOBER 24, 2019)

WHAT:
During National School Bus Safety Week, the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) sponsored an event at the U.S. Capitol to highlight the problem of illegal passing of stopped school buses.  The event included a press conference and live, bus-equipped demonstrations of technologies which address the illegal passing problem and highlight the benefits of enacting the STOP for School Buses Act.

The showcase  featured technologies that can be used to prevent illegal passing of stopped school buses. As one of the technology vendors present at the showcase, Safe Fleet showed the Predictive Stop Arm (PSA) and Driver Alert solutions in action, and how the solutions aim to save lives.

The PSA uses radar technology and predictive analytics to proactively notify both the bus driver and students, through audible and visual warnings, of potential danger detected by the system. Aimed at preventing the illegal pass-by in the first place, the Driver Alert notifies trailing motorists when the bus is stopping and loading/unloading, with flashing Caution-Stopping, and Stop-Do Not Pass warnings.

Working with NSTA, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski introduced the STOP for School Buses Act with Congresswoman Julia Brownley in April (HR 2218).  An identical companion bill was introduced in the Senate in May by Senators Todd Young and Gary Peters (S 1254).  The bipartisan bills would require DOT to review illegal passing laws, enforcement mechanisms and penalties in all 50 states, technologies, distraction, driver education and other issues and make recommendations on best practices and most effective approaches. Congresswoman Walorski will be in attendance at the event and give remarks. Senator Todd Young is attending.

Safe Fleet’s Vice President, School Bus, Chris Akiyama, was available on-site to discuss how their solutions proactively aim to keep students out of harm’s way by gauging risk of stop arm violations and whether it is deemed safe for students to cross. Having specialized in federally mandated products on school buses for over 20 years, Safe Fleet is the industry’s trusted leader in school bus safety technologies.

WHO:
Chris Akiyama, Vice President, School Bus, Safe Fleet
Congresswoman Walorski

WHEN:
Wednesday October 23, 2019
8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. EDT 

WHERE:
U.S. Capitol Grounds near the U.S. Botanical Gardens
200 Maryland Ave S.W.
Washington D.C.

To set up an in-person or phone interview, please contact Irene Lo of Magnolia Communications.

About Safe Fleet

Safe Fleet has a vision to reduce preventable deaths and injuries in and around fleet vehicles with a goal of ZERO accidents.  To that end, Safe Fleet’s best-of-breed smart solutions form an integrated safety platform for fleets of every type – School Bus, Transit Bus, Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, Work Truck, Truck and Trailer, Construction, Agriculture, Waste & Recycling, Industrial and Military.

With our broad portfolio of market-leading safety solutions, 1,600 employees, and 14 manufacturing locations across North America, also serving Europe, Asia and the rest of the globe, Safe Fleet continues to innovate and deliver the smart solutions that fleets will need to survive and thrive in a changing world – and ensure that drivers, passengers, first responders, in-the-field workers, and pedestrians arrive home safely.

At Safe Fleet, we’re Driving Safety Forward.™

For media inquiries, please contact:
Irene Lo
irene@magnoliamc.com
604-306-1015