Minneapolis Public Schools’ plant operations and transportation services team spent four years converting an older school bus into the mobile command center. To read more about it, check out this news story.
Minneapolis district builds mobile command center
Officials said it took over 1,600 hours to convert an older school bus owned by the transportation department. If normal operations are compromised, the team can be quickly dispatched to any location and have direct communication and resources for over 500 drivers as well as emergency personnel.
The 32-inch flat-screen TV provides the team with current information on traffic conditions and adverse weather. The HP Proliant virtual server maintains routing and student information, GPS and daily assignments. The Sprint Clear Connect router provides a wireless connection to the main department.
Equipped with four 200 MH two-way radios and laptops, dispatchers can maintain contact with the drivers, fleet maintenance and management team. In the case of an emergency such as the evacuation of a school site, dispatchers can quickly coordinate buses and necessary personnel to the location. The command center is also equipped with two conference tables, chairs and a whiteboard for administrative consultation in the rear of the center. There is additional meeting space at the curbside of the vehicle with a retractable awning (pictured in the first photo).
With the custom installed 225 series hydraulic leveling system, the operator can quickly stabilize the command center when setting up under any conditions. The supports have a combined load capacity of 40,000 pounds.
With its wireless onboard technology, the command center can be utilized at community events such as back to school rallies. With routing information at school attendance areas, families can enroll their children in Minneapolis Public Schools immediately at the mobile command center.
The design and construction of the Minneapolis Public Schools mobile command center began in June 2008, and it was completed last year.
The team who designed and created the district's mobile command center, from left to right: Kevin Lundy, fleet maintenance foreman, Mark Fruth, transportation information analyst, and Stephen Esh, fleet maintenance mechanic.