Every day, thousands of parents across the UAE rely on school buses to safely transport their children to and from school. School bus services are not only a necessity for families but also play a crucial role in the country’s education system. Khaleej Times recently visited the Operations Control Centre (OCC) of a leading school transport provider to witness how state-of-the-art technology is used to ensure safe and smooth bus commutes for students.
Upon entering the facility, one could see multiple giant screens mounted on walls and a large number of staff members monitoring the footage and handling calls. The OCC operates almost round-the-clock as the central operational hub, utilizing smart technology to manage the fleet and maintain prompt communication with schools and parents. Everything from monitoring passenger behavior through internal and external video surveillance systems to ensuring real-time surveillance and rapid response to any issues is managed through the OCC.
Steve Burnell, the managing director of School Transport Services (STS) group, emphasized that they have not outsourced any services and procure, install, and maintain all their smart bus technology internally. The buses are equipped with advanced technology, including cameras that monitor driving habits in real-time, such as identifying risky behavior like mobile phone use and blink rate to ensure driver alertness. The systems in place help to monitor and report on the movement of the fleet, enabling quick resolution of any issues that may arise.
Burnell explained that while there was initially some skepticism among drivers about being monitored, the systems often serve to exonerate them in tricky situations. The monitoring systems also help drivers to drive defensively and react to potential risks on the road. Each bus is equipped with an ‘Alert Button’ for emergencies, which sends immediate alerts to the Operations Control Centre for prompt action. Additionally, students can be issued RFID cards that track when they board and exit the bus, providing valuable data that feeds directly to the OCC.
In extreme weather situations, such as the weather event in April, the OCC closely monitors the weather and communicates with schools to advise accordingly. The OCC serves as the backbone for managing safety alerts, route optimizations, and communication, creating a comprehensive ecosystem that reduces human errors and enhances response times, ensuring a safe transport experience for students. The advanced technologies implemented by school transport providers ensure that students are safe and secure during their bus commutes to and from school.
