At Thomas Built Buses, we build buses we’d want our own children to ride. It’s why we take safety seriously and remain on the cutting edge of school bus safety technology.
Here are a few safety features that make our buses more dependable:
- OnGuardACTIVE
A radar-based collision mitigation system, WABCO OnGuardACTIVE™ is available as a factory-installed option for Saf-T-Liner® C2 diesel school buses equipped with air disc brakes. The technology uses a forward-looking long-range radar to detect objects and individuals up to 650 feet in front of the bus.
In addition to collision mitigation, OnGuardACTIVE includes a cruise control feature to assist drivers in maintaining a safe following distance. The technology allows drivers to select their cruising speed and will automatically adjust if other vehicles come close. Beyond this, the system can be easily integrated with telematics and monitoring systems. This makes it easy for fleet managers to track driver performance.
Upon delivery of OnGuardACTIVE technology, fleet managers and drivers will receive customized driver training on the system’s capabilities.
- Intellipark Parking Brake
Designed and manufactured by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Intellipark® comes as a factory-installed option for Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses equipped with a Cummins diesel or Detroit® Diesel powertrain and an air brake package. It also comes standard on the Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley® electric bus.
The electric parking brake system helps prevent rollaway and runaway crashes by automatically setting the parking brake if the driver forgets to set it before exiting the vehicle. After the brake has been set, the driver must take intentional steps to release the brake such as pressing the service brake pedal, turning the key to “on” and/or closing the wheelchair lift door (when equipped).
While the Intellipark switch still maintains the familiar yellow symbols and text as existing park valves, it also includes integrated LEDs that clearly indicate the status of the parking brake. In addition, the switch is more comfortable to operate than existing park valves.
- Auto-Reversing Doors
The first of its kind in the industry, our auto-reversing door feature is available in all Saf-T-Liner C2 products. The technology allows the front entry doors of our buses to reopen automatically if they sense an object or obstruction in the doorway. When activated, our system will sound an alarm and the doors will automatically reopen if something or someone is blocking the doorway.
In the event of damage or environmental factors, such as snow causing obstruction, the auto-reversing door system is equipped with a manual bypass option. This will allow bus drivers to disable obstruction detection and continue on their routes. Deactivating the auto-reverse feature does not prevent normal operation of the entrance door.
- SmartTrac Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
At times, a driver may unknowingly face the risk of a rollover or loss of control. This may take place on a slippery curve or during an evasive or otherwise dangerous maneuver. WABCO’s SmartTrac™ ESC automatically intervenes in these situations to help the driver maintain control. The system works with the school bus air disc and drum brakes to slow movement and align the vehicle with the driver’s intended path of travel.
SmartTrac comes as a standard, factory-installed feature on all new Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley, Saf-T-Liner C2 CNG, Saf-T-Liner HDX and Saf-T-Liner EFX school buses.
- PerimeterView 360 Camera Package
A state-of-the-art intelligent camera system, the PerimeterView® 360 camera package (PV360) provides bus drivers a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the bus. The first of its kind in the industry, this technology is composed of wide-angle cameras installed in the front, back and sides of the school bus. The four cameras provide crisp, real-time video footage so the bus driver always has full visibility.
With PV360, drivers can access all four camera feeds at one time or toggle between individual screens for a better view of a specific location. This gives bus drivers confidence to navigate tricky maneuvers and/or tight conditions. In addition, the cameras help protect students in bus-range who aren’t immediately visible to the driver under normal circumstances. The PV360 camera package is available as a factory-installed option for any new Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus.
- Collision Avoidance Alert System
Offered as a factory-installed option for all Thomas Built Buses products, the Mobileye® N.V.’s Collision Avoidance System helps prevent accidents before they occur. If a driver appears to be distracted in a dangerous situation, the system alerts and provides them an opportunity to avoid a collision or mitigate its severity.
In addition to collision warning, the Mobileye system also offers pedestrian and cyclist detection, headway monitoring, lane departure warning and speed limit indication.
- Saf-T-Zone Pedestrian Detection
Saf-T-Zone helps bus drivers detect objects and individuals in bus range. Composed of LED ground lights, radar units, and cross-view mirror lights, this technology allows for precise detection of students and objects within ten feet of the front, back or passenger entry side of the school bus. When a pedestrian is detected, drivers are alerted via an in-cabin tablet, seat haptics, an audible alarm and cross-view mirror lights.
While our safety features are designed to protect students, drivers and pedestrians, no technology can replace the need for drivers to continue practicing safe driving habits and engaging in ongoing driver training. To learn more about the above systems or other Thomas Built Buses safety features, please contact your local dealer.
