MENU
SEARCHWhen a pedestrian is detected, the system will alert the driver on an in-cabin tablet as well as through caution lights on the cross-view mirrors.
When a pedestrian is detected, Thomas Built’s new system will alert the driver on an in-cabin tablet and through caution lights on the cross-view mirrors.
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Thomas Built Buses debuted a prototype of its new pedestrian detection technology at the STN Expo on Tuesday.
Leslie Kilgore, vice president of engineering for Thomas Built Buses, said that the company has been working with MITO Corp. and CUB Group to develop the pedestrian detection system, and “the technology is 90% there.” The goal is to prevent accidents in the danger zone around the school bus, such as when students step too close or kneel down to pick something up.
“As diligent as bus drivers may be, sometimes they just can’t see a child around certain areas of the outside of the bus,” Kilgore said. “That’s the problem we are hoping to solve. With our new pedestrian detection system, we hope to avoid unnecessary pedestrian accidents in the front, back, and sides of our buses, even within blind spots.”
Part of the BusWise Technologies suite, the new pedestrian detection feature will consist of LED ground lights on the cross-view mirrors as well as multiple radar units on the 77GHz frequency band, which will be installed around a Thomas Built bus. These higher-frequency radars, which are used for autonomous vehicles and high-resolution meteorological observations, allow for more precise detection and measurement of a pedestrian or object within 10 feet of the school bus, according to Thomas Built Buses. When a pedestrian is detected, the system will alert the driver on an in-cabin tablet as well as through caution lights on the cross-view mirrors.
“We are fortunate to have partners like Thomas Built Buses that share the values of protecting the lives of school children,” said Dan Maloney, president of MITO Corp. “Along with our partners at CUB, our team strives to continually provide the finest and most thorough technology available to mitigate a tremendous issue facing the school transportation industry.”
“CUB is extremely excited to work with the industry leader, Thomas Built Buses, on such an important feature,” said Augustin Leung, vice president of the ADAS (advanced driver-assistance systems) division of CUB Group North America. “Saving lives and mitigating accidents is a key focus to CUB since we are an industry leader in ADAS and driver safety devices.”
Thomas Built Buses will show the pedestrian detection system at other upcoming shows and will announce a production date in the near future.
Driverless cars may feel the future, but student transportation requires more than navigation. Here’s why it demands human judgment, empathy, and oversight.
Read More →
An 11-year-old in Brooklyn was killed crossing the street. Meanwhile, the school bus driver faces misdemeanor charges after he left the scene.
Read More →
The 2026 Disaster Response Guide is officially underway, and we’re now opening a Call for Insights and Experts.
Read More →
Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.
Read More →
A Rockland County child was struck by their school bus late last week. Here's what we know so far about this and other fatalities and injuries in the area over the years.
Read More →
As Maine becomes one of the first states to require anti-pinch door sensors on new school buses, manufacturers like Mayser offer a look at how the technology works and why it's a critical fail-safe.
Read More →
What if your fleet technology actually worked together? Learn eight practical strategies to integrate multiple systems into one platform, unlocking clearer insights, stronger safety standards, and smoother daily operations.
Read More →
A recent Verra Mobility survey reports that 82% of parents support safety cameras to penalize stop-arm violators and 70% favor automated enforcement in school zones.
Read More →
$10 million in state grants will fund safety upgrades and new features on school buses serving students across the Buckeye State.
Read More →
After complications in multiple cities when self-driving taxis failed to stop for school buses, the NTSB joins NHTSA in a probe to determine what's behind the tech and related safety concerns.
Read More →
