We were cruising down historic old Route 66 between Chicago and St. Louis on a summer night in 1969. The old Brill was doing 60 MPH (her personal best), when the gentleman who was training me mentioned there were 11 rail crossings on this stretch, and that an ocean liner stopped faster than this bus. He said that we’d better spot the crossings as they came over the horizon, or we’d end up straddling them. It made me feel a bit like the lookout on the Titanic.
We take so much for granted today. Not only do brakes actually stop a coach, they do it quickly, in all sorts of conditions.
Recently, we’ve seen a variety of safety related features offered on coaches, with even more on the horizon. If history teaches us anything, some will catch on and become industry standards, while others fade away. The trick is to determine which provide real (but affordable) benefits… and which are expensive solutions to minimal problems.
Another thing history teaches is that it’s dangerous to force technology into the market before its ready. Antilock brakes were a disaster in 1974, but are now generally accepted and reliable.
Here are four safety systems that your team should be well-informed of.
- Fire suppression has leaped to the fore as a result of a perceived increase in bus fires, and a 24-hour news cycle. Every coach manufacturer currently offers a system.
A couple of things you should consider. You not only pay to purchase the system, but it will also need regular maintenance. However, some insurance companies are helping reimburse for these systems.
Generally, they are most effective in the engine compartment. Any time there is an ignition source the whole area is already hot. In this type situation, fire suppression has a good chance of keeping a breakdown from turning into a more serious situation.
2. A promising innovation is an electronic tire pressure monitor. A dash mounted module will let the driver know when air pressure falls, or tires get hot. In addition to preventing a sizable percentage of tire failures (and fires), proper monitoring improves tread life. This system can pay for itself, every manufacturer offers a version, and it’s not rocket science to retrofit.
3. Another device gaining traction is the event monitor. It visually records inside and outside views of any event that exceeds a pre-set G force. This triggers a management review. Some versions also offer a manual mode, where a driver can choose to record an event, such as unusual passenger behavior.
4. A variety of GPS systems now allow you to either track your bus, as well as alert you when it is off route or schedule.
In addition to these systems, there are several more that have gained traction in Europe. There some coaches utilize systems that prevent driver inputs that would overturn a bus. Others automatically monitor the multiplexed electrical system, and call home when the bus has a problem. One system monitors brake wear, and causes all the lining to wear evenly. Time will tell if these technologies are practical, or will work in North America.
There are other systems that seemed revolutionary when they were introduced and have now become standard for all coaches and require routine maintenance. Redundant air systems, self-adjusting anti-lock brakes, air driers, power steering, automatic transmissions, traction control and windshield washers should be regularly inspected and serviced by your team.
Coaches are safer today than at any time in history. All of these systems help to make a good operator… better.
