Technology, Integration and
School Bus Advancement
Presented by:
Kirk Lacko
Senior Product Marketing Manager, Blue Bird Corporation
Private & Confidential
Technological Advancements
Private & Confidential
Product Planning / Advanced Engineering
 Development of Product Cycle Plan
 Investigate technologies from adjacent industries for applicability
to school buses
 Ideation on new features and technologies for school buses
 Bring new concepts to implementation readiness
 Observe, explore and propose responses to industry and
competitor trends
Over 200 years of combined experience in advanced engineering
Private & Confidential
3
School Bus Technology Evolves
 Automotive and Trucking technologies continue to influence the
school bus marketplace
 Telematics; GPS, Navigation, Engine Diagnostics, Student Tracking
 Integrated systems = less mechanical
 Light-weight materials
 Greater Alternative Fuel adoption
 Camera’s and sensors inside/outside
of the bus
 Active safety technology
 Passive safety technology
Blue Bird is embracing technological advancement
Private & Confidential
4
Voice of Customer Research
Private & Confidential
5
Owner Feedback
Integrating owner feedback into future product development
 Propane Owner’s Survey
 Customer Satisfaction
Index (CSI)
 New Product / Product
Enhancement Surveys
 Business Case Studies
Private & Confidential
6
Case Studies
 Omaha Public Schools -- One Year of Propane Autogas: Alternative
Fuel Buses Drive Down Costs
 A case study that reviews the fuel cost and maintenance cost savings that
a major fleet experienced after one year of using Blue Bird’s propane
autogas school buses
• Savings of almost 50 percent per gallon on fuel costs were experienced when
compared to diesel
• 42.6 million fewer pounds of carbon dioxide emitted over the lifetime of the fleet
• 96 percent of the fleet is operating on propane autogas
 New York School District Lowers Operating Costs, Reduces Emissions
with Propane Autogas School Buses
 A case study that reviews the fuel cost and maintenance cost savings that
Washingtonville Central School District experienced with just 20 percent of
their fleet being propane autogas
• Annual fuel savings of about $21,000 per year for the autogas fleet
• 30 percent less spent on routine maintenance expenses per year for the autogas
fleet
• About 120,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per bus eliminated from
Washingtonville’s carbon footprint, during the lifetime of the vehicle
Private & Confidential
7
Supplier Reviews and Partnerships
Private & Confidential
8
Technology and Features
Safety and Durability
 Vision/Camera Surveillance
 GPS Reporting/Tracking
 Bus Maintenance Alerts
 Ridership Tracking
 Driver Distraction Controls
Efficiency/TCO
 Alternative Energy Solutions
 Engine Diagnostics
 Route Optimization
 Ergonomics
 Driver Time & Attendance
Diverse Markets
 “Special Needs” Features
 International Standards
Aligning technology with brand leaders will drive growth
Private & Confidential
9
Enhancing Supplier Relations
Areas of Focus
Supplier Enablers
• Total Cost Ownership (TCO)
• Design & material reviews, logistics, SKU
management
• Quality and reliability
• Supplier development, warranty management,
PPAP process, supplier audits
• Product innovation
• Early supplier involvement, NDA’s, Supply
Agreements
• Supplier optimization
• Category strategies, supplier assessments,
preferred supplier listing
• Lead-time reduction and Forecast
accuracy
• Forecasting, inventory management programs
Private & Confidential
10
Blue Bird Buses
Designed with Kids in Mind
Private & Confidential
11
Practicality, Functionality and Safety
 Safety Driven
 Real Life Application
 Enhanced Student Ridership
 Riding the Bus to School is Fun
Child safety is paramount
Private & Confidential
12
Purpose-Built with Children’s Safety in Mind
 Purpose-Built Chassis
 Made just for school bus
application
 Chassis protection
 Best-In-Class Driver’s View
 Exceptional mirror systems
 6.5’ Headroom
Private & Confidential
13
Ease of Operation
 Increased ease of operation with our new Blue Bird E-Z Windows™
 Children can easily operate Blue Bird E-Z Windows™ due to new
interlocking technology which allows for smoother operation
 New latches are ergonomic and emergency door is easier to
operate
Private & Confidential
14
Student Tracking
 Improve Student Rider Safety and Security
 Maximize Bus Utilization
 Provide Better Customer Service
 Automate Reimbursement Reporting
Private & Confidential
15
Blue Bird Connect™
Private & Confidential
16
Blue Bird Connect™








GPS Powered by Synovia Solutions
Embedded OEM solution
Factory option or retrofit
OEM buses are pre-wired
Integrated engine diagnostics
Turn-key all-inclusive package
No upfront costs
Simple monthly service fee
Factory installed GPS and NO UPFRONT COSTS!
Private & Confidential
17
Blue Bird Connect™ is Fully Equipped
Child Check|
function check &
check completed
Video Camera|
function check
RedFlasher|
On/Off
Yellow Distance|
calculation
External Antenna|
best Verizon
connectivity
GPS Unit|
in a hidden
location
Driver Panic
Button|
alert &
location stamp
Driver|
monitor harsh
braking and
acceleration
Driver|
Confirm
run/route that
is being
serviced
Inspection Checklist|
real-time updates
Key
Door|
Performance
open or close
Indicators|
Speed, idle,
on-time performance, etc.
Driver|
Real-time, location,
date & time stamp
Student|
up-to-date manifest for clock in & out
Private & Confidential
18
New Product Technology and
Enhancements
Private & Confidential
19
New Blue Bird E-Z Windows™
Blue Bird E-Z Windows™ are an innovation in windows!




Smooth Operation
Interlocking Construction
Leak-Resistant Seals
Ergonomic Latches
Blue Bird E-Z Windows™ Feature Superior Leak Resistance
and Ease of Service
Private & Confidential
20
New Blue Bird Air Conditioning






Driver A/C Dash Evaporator is standard
System is not an “aftermarket” installation
No seat and body plan limitations on special needs buses
System does not intrude into seating area
Common design in Vision and All American bus models
No custom parts for ease of service
Installed at Blue Bird, not an “aftermarket” solution
Private & Confidential
21
New Luggage Box Redesign
 Full Perimeter Bulb Seal
 New Latches
 Door Reinforcement
Sturdy and waterproof
Private & Confidential
22
New Bendix Air Disc Brakes
 Blue Bird is pleased to offer the
new Bendix Air Disc Brake option
 Shorter Stops
 Significantly shorter stops in
demanding applications that even
than even the best drum brake
designs
 Better Braking Feel
 Improved side to side brake
consistency
 Quick pad changes
 Quick change pads- 15 minutes
per brake (with wheels off)
Active safety technology from the industry leader
Private & Confidential
23
Audio Enhancements
 New generation Source Unit - “Mechless Radio”




New standard radio offering on all Blue Bird Buses
Combo of radio and MP3 player
Public Announcement (PA) system optional
Lower warranty costs without mechanical CD Player
 Wire Molding Profile
 Neater (tidy) appearance throughout the ceiling
 Easier to service dome lights, radio speakers, including wiring
 Reduces interference of some optional components to the dome lights
and speakers, such as air conditioning systems and book racks
Private & Confidential
24
Product Enhancements
from Micro Bird
Private & Confidential
25
Micro Bird Features
Ranking
10 Top Features
1
32” entrance door with standard electric control
2
Completely sealed floor with sound deadening
3
8” rear buffer zone
4
Double leaf lift doors with custom hinges
5
Superior body construction using mechanical fasteners
6
Side impact barriers with 3/16 one piece angle iron at the seat level
7
GM and Ford approved mounting blocks with no maintenance required
8
Powder coated wheel hubs
9
Completely R6 insulated including roof bows
10
Altoona tested
The G5 delivers; Quality, Safety, and Comfort all under the
yellow paint
Private & Confidential
26
Micro Bird: Superior Riding Comfort
 Double acting isolators the full length of the chassis: no
maintenance required
 R6 rated fiber glass covering all side, rear, front and roof panels
 Roof bows one piece hat section terminate at floor with insulated,
mechanical fasteners
Private & Confidential
Micro Bird: Enhanced Features
 32 inch door opening. One piece glass window, sealed bearing
standard, electric mechanism standard
 Our GM chassis features a 551 square inch driver view; the largest
in the industry
Private & Confidential
28
Technology, Integration and School Bus Advancement
Thank You
Private & Confidential
29