Beyond the Classroom: Transportation Safety for Schools
By Mike Reading, Manager, Surveillance Product Category, i-PRO Americas
As American Education Week approaches, I’m reflecting on the crucial role of safe and accountable student transportation. At i-PRO, we understand that ensuring student safety extends beyond the school building and includes the daily journey to and from school on buses. Many school districts face challenges in providing safe and secure environments on their buses, and it’s common to see basic setups like DVRs and analog cameras. However, the security needs of our children deserve more than just the bare minimum. That’s where i-PRO’s advanced solutions come in.
Our surveillance systems go beyond traditional security cameras. With i-PRO's rugged, high-resolution cameras that support AI-driven analytics, school districts have tools that offer real-time insights and robust safety measures. These cameras are built to withstand the demanding conditions on a bus and can be placed strategically to monitor all areas. For instance, our edge analytics can track movements, detect motion in restricted areas like the back of the bus, and even count students as they get on and off, enabling schools to make informed decisions on logistics, such as adding more bus routes if needed.
Additionally, our system’s capabilities make it easier for schools to respond swiftly to incidents. With the ruggedized recorders we use, footage remains secure and accessible. When a bus enters a Wi-Fi zone, such as at the school depot, flagged or tagged video clips—like those from incidents marked by a hard brake, a driver-activated button, or an AI alert—are automatically offloaded to the school’s primary video infrastructure. This means administrators have quick access to evidence, which helps address student behavior issues effectively and supports the bus driver if disputes arise.
One standout feature is the ability for bus drivers to tag footage in real-time by pressing a button if they witness an incident, such as a fight. If an incident isn’t tagged immediately, administrators can later scrub through the footage to locate and offload relevant sections, ensuring that no critical evidence is missed. This flexibility adds another layer of accountability, allowing for both immediate responses and after-the-fact analysis to ensure fair assessments.
For parents, having access to video evidence provides reassurance and transparency. If a student reports bullying or an altercation, video can verify the claim and allow school staff to intervene effectively. Similarly, if a student is accused of behavior they deny, the video evidence can help clarify the situation, building trust between parents and school staff.
Beyond video, audio analytics are also a possibility, depending on the noise levels of the environment. While it may be challenging to distinguish individual voices, audio detection could help identify sounds like glass breaking or even excessive yelling, which could distract the driver. Additionally, exterior cameras on the bus can monitor areas around the bus to ensure students are safe as they board or exit.
At i-PRO, we are committed to providing solutions that not only enhance safety but also empower schools with actionable insights that contribute to better decision-making and resource allocation. As we mark American Education Week, let's remember that our role in student safety extends well beyond the classroom.