Student transportation took center stage at the 2026 Samsara Connected Operations Awards, with David Perez, vice president of safety at First Student, earning the Technology Leader of the Year award for his role in advancing safety and operational excellence across North America's largest school transportation provider.

Presented annually by Samsara, the Connected Operations Awards recognize organizations and leaders using technology to improve safety, efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. Perez was honored for helping integrate Samsara's video, telematics, and diagnostic technologies into HALO, First Student's proprietary AI-powered platform designed to connect transportation teams, students, and families.

“The winners of Samsara's Connected Operations Awards are proof that AI represents a fundamental shift in how work gets done — one that's already saving lives and cutting costs,” said Robert Stobaugh, chief operating officer at Samsara. "The submissions told stories of safer workers, more efficient operations, and real impact for communities. What unites every winner is a team that refuses to settle, and we’re proud to work alongside them.”

AI and Telematics Drive Safety Improvements

First Student transports approximately 4.6 to 4.8 million students daily and operates a fleet averaging 50,000 yellow school buses and non-bus vehicles combined. According to Samsara, the technology deployment has produced measurable safety improvements through pilot programs, including:

• 62% reduction in mobile phone use.
• 81% reduction in inattentive driving.
• 63% reduction in forward collision warnings.
• 54% reduction in rolling stops.
• 30% improvement in seatbelt compliance.

The company's connected operations strategy also extends beyond the driver's seat. Through integration with the First View parent app, more than 295,000 families receive real-time school bus location updates and estimated arrival times. Maintenance teams use remote vehicle diagnostics to identify electrical issues before they become major repairs, helping protect high-value fleet assets.

One example highlighted by Samsara involved a dispatcher who received a seat belt alert and issued a fleet-wide reminder. One driver responded by buckling up shortly before their bus was involved in a collision. The seat belt helped keep the driver secure and able to maintain control of the vehicle.

Looking ahead, First Student is working with Samsara to develop an AI-powered unattended child detection solution to prevent students from being left behind on school buses.

The recognition underscores a growing trend across the student transportation industry as operators increasingly adopt AI, telematics, and connected fleet technologies to improve safety performance, streamline maintenance, and enhance communication with families.

Perez was among several winners recognized in Samsara's 2026 awards program, which honored organizations across North America, Mexico, and Europe for achievements in connected operations and fleet management.