OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A new technology to improve safety in and around school buses was unveiled in Osceola County on Thursday.
The Osceola School District announced a partnership with Smart Radar System, Inc. (SRS) to equip a bus with a prototype system that electronically scans for pedestrians around the bus when stopped.
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“It’s intended to enhance student safety and personally I think it has some real potential,” said Randy Wheeler, director of transportation.
With the system, radar sensors are installed on the exterior of the bus, creating a 360-degree detection zone.
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The sensors detect movement within the zone and alert the driver through warning lights and sound alarms.
Radar sensors would also be installed in the bus undercarriage that will detect unseen foreign objects.
“Our engineering team worked hard with the transportation team to come up with the radar solution and they’re using the radar underneath the bus,” SRS CEO Paul Kim said.
Another component of the system is sensors mounted inside the bus to detect passengers on board.
The devices could eliminate the possibility of drivers overlooking a child left behind onboard.
The partnership between SRS and the school district is happening as Osceola County has been working to establish the tech company’s regional headquarters in NeoCity.
“We’re creating technology jobs and also creating a safer environment for our schools and our community,” County Commission Chair Cheryl Grieb said.
The technology is still working toward further development and final approval.
Osceola County could be one of the first districts to be equipped with the system, but it first would have to be evaluated and approved by the Florida Department of Education.
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