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Safety technology in the bus industry has advanced rapidly—without much fanfare. Features once considered high-end extras are now standard or soon will be. For transportation directors, knowing what’s available—and what’s worth asking for—can mean the difference between buying for today and planning for the next decade.

It’s worth noting: most of these systems aren’t upgrades you can add later. They’re built into the bus during manufacturing, which means decisions about safety tech need to happen early in the purchasing process—not after the vehicle arrives.

Here’s a look at what’s new, what’s changing, and what you’ll want to keep in mind the next time you evaluate your fleet needs.

PV360: A Better View Around the Bus

The PV360 system gives drivers a stitched, real-time, bird’s-eye view of the area around the bus. It’s especially useful during student pickup and drop-off, tight turns, or lot navigation—anywhere visibility matters most.

Thomas Built Buses offers this technology through its PerimeterView® 360 system, available as a factory-installed feature on the Saf-T-Liner® C2. It’s a smart upgrade for operations prioritizing low-speed maneuverability and student zone visibility.

Collision Mitigation Systems: Helping Drivers React Faster

Collision mitigation systems use radar and camera inputs to reduce the risk of rear-end collisions. These systems often include forward collision alerts, following distance warnings, and automatic emergency braking.

Thomas Built Buses integrates this technology with OnGuardACTIVE™, available on the Saf-T-Liner® C2 when equipped with air disc brakes. It’s designed to assist drivers in reacting more quickly to sudden changes in traffic—especially helpful on congested routes or in unpredictable weather conditions.

Lane Departure Warning and Assistance

Lane departure systems alert drivers when a bus drifts out of its lane without signaling. Some versions offer gentle corrective input, while others provide visual and audible alerts only.

Thomas Built’s Mobileye® system, part of its broader BusWise® technology suite, includes lane departure warnings along with pedestrian detection and other advanced driver assistance tools. It’s a feature that reinforces safe driving habits, particularly for longer rural routes or high-speed corridors.

Driver Monitoring and In-Cabin Alerts

In-cabin systems can monitor for drowsiness, distraction, or erratic driving behavior. Features vary but may include driver-facing cameras, hands-on-wheel sensors, or alertness detection based on head or eye movement.

Some manufacturers—including Thomas Built—offer these tools as part of integrated safety and telematics packages. The goal isn’t surveillance—it’s prevention, helping fleet managers identify safety concerns before they result in an incident.

Systems That Work Together

The most effective safety features aren’t isolated—they work in tandem. When a bus begins to drift, a fully integrated system might trigger a lane departure alert, adjust the camera view, and engage steering support in a single coordinated response.

That level of coordination only works when the systems are engineered to operate as a unit. If you’re considering a new platform, it’s worth understanding not just what features are included—but how well they interact, how they’re serviced, and what support is available for your technicians.

Thomas Built Buses is one of the manufacturers leading this shift, offering full-suite safety packages with seamless integration between systems.

Planning for Your Next Bus Purchase

With so many safety systems tied directly to the manufacturing process, understanding your options before you buy is essential. A few key questions to ask:

• What safety features come standard, and which require upgrades?
  

• Will your team need training to maintain or calibrate these systems?
  

• How will these technologies be supported over the vehicle’s lifespan?
  

• Are the systems compatible with your fleet’s existing telematics or reporting tools?
  

A little clarity up front can go a long way toward ensuring a smarter, safer investment.

Talk to Kerlin About Your Next Purchase

If you’re planning a new purchase and want to make sure you’re covering the right safety features, Kerlin Bus Sales can help. As a trusted dealer of Thomas Built Buses, we’ll walk you through what’s standard, what’s optional, and what’s most important based on how—and where—you run your fleet.

Contact us today to start a conversation.