For veteran pupil transportation directors, managing a massive fleet is no small feat, and the Chesapeake Public Schools district stands as a prime example. With a fleet comprising over 580 school buses covering more than 25,000 miles daily and transporting over 31,000 students, it’s a substantial operation. Dr. David Benson, the transportation director for Chesapeake Public Schools, relies on a suite of solutions, including Zonar’s smart fleet technologies, to tackle the daily challenges that come with overseeing such an extensive fleet.
Transitioning to Modern Fleet Management:
Before implementing modern smart fleet management solutions, Chesapeake Public Schools grappled with outdated, cumbersome processes and systems. These included:
- Relying on two-way radio communications instead of GPS tracking to locate buses.
- Utilizing a time and attendance application that didn’t integrate with their school bus systems.
- Conducting paper-based, unverifiable pre- and post-trip inspections.
However, in 2016, Dr. Benson introduced Zonar’s smart fleet management solutions, and the benefits were immediate.
Detailed Location and Diagnostic Data:
Equipped with Zonar technology, including GPS tracking, every bus in the district’s fleet is now connected. Dr. Benson and his team access comprehensive fleet data through the Zonar Ground Traffic Control secure web portal. This has transformed their ability to know the exact location of every bus in real-time, greatly assisting in addressing parent inquiries about bus locations.
Furthermore, engine diagnostic information is now readily available, simplifying:
- Timely maintenance.
- The identification of excessive idling.
- Monitoring driver speeds.
Electronically Verified Inspections:
With the transition to Zonar’s Electronic Verified Inspection Reporting (EVIR), pre-trip inspections went from being paper-based to electronically verified. This change eliminated the hassles associated with paper trails and the potential for inaccuracies in inspection records. Dr. Benson can now access any EVIR record online, ensuring that each bus is thoroughly inspected before hitting the road while also digitizing inspection data for preventative maintenance.
Dedicated Support:
Transitioning nearly 600 school buses to a modern smart fleet management solution is a complex process that doesn’t happen overnight. Dr. Benson’s key to success lay in streamlining processes and working closely with a single member of the Zonar Customer Experience team. This point of contact, who understands the fleet intimately, made it possible for Dr. Benson and his team to quickly address challenges and seize opportunities.
In Dr. Benson’s words, “With a fleet of 583 buses, having customer experience team support has been ideal. When the Zonar customer experience team goes the extra mile to address our needs, there are no traffic jams along the way.” Having a dedicated Zonar representative who knows the operation inside out facilitated addressing purchasing, hardware and software upgrades, replacements, and all things related to customer service.
Seamless Fleet-Wide Integration:
As part of the smart fleet management upgrades, Dr. Benson transitioned the fleet’s Samsung Tab Active2 tablets. These changes set the stage for the implementation of the Kronos app, which captures the time and attendance of bus drivers and assistants. The functionality of this app was a pivotal factor in Chesapeake Public Schools’ adoption of Zonar technology, which also provided crucial support for other smart fleet management initiatives, including tablet and EVIR upgrades.
Stop-Arm Camera Enforcement:
The next frontier for Chesapeake Public Schools is the implementation of stop-arm cameras on every bus in partnership with BusPatrol, Zonar’s collaborator. Prioritizing student safety, this stop-arm camera technology will help protect riders as they board and disembark by holding stop-arm violators accountable. The funds from violator fines will cover the costs of the stop-arm technology and program.
Prepared for the Road Ahead:
With Zonar’s Customer Experience team supporting Dr. Benson, Chesapeake Public Schools has successfully integrated leading smart fleet management solutions, allowing the use of the Kronos time and attendance app. Furthermore, the fleet’s paper-based inspection process has been upgraded to an electronically verified, dependable system. The district is also gearing up for the deployment of BusPatrol’s stop-arm camera program, proactively addressing risks children face on busy Virginia roadways daily.
These modern fleet solutions have ushered in greater fleetwide efficiency, reliable data, healthier vehicles, and accurate bus location tracking, positioning the district and its fleet for long-term success.
Zonar’s electronic fleet inspection, tracking, and operations solutions have been a game-changer for public and private fleets. These products are designed for effectiveness, driven by customer satisfaction, and remain affordable. It’s Zonar’s commitment to stand by its customers and make a noticeable difference.
