BusPatrol

AI-enabled stop-arm enforcement cameras enhance student safety

Keeping Our Kids Safe: Methacton's Partnership with BusPatrol

In 2022, Methacton School District partnered with BusPatrol to enhance student safety during their commutes to and from school. All Methacton school buses are now equipped with active safety technology, including AI-powered stop-arm enforcement cameras.

How it Works:

These advanced cameras capture violations of school bus stopping laws, including clear images of vehicle license plates. Stop-arm enforcement began on September 6, 2022. Local law enforcement reviews and confirms all potential violations.

Consequences:

The fine for a first-time stop-arm violation is $300. Protecting our children is everyone's responsibility, and these measures are in place to ensure their safety.

Cost-Effective Safety:

BusPatrol’s technology, installation, and maintenance have been provided at zero cost to the district or taxpayers thanks to their violator-funded business model.

Stop Arm Violations Chart 24-25

Category	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	April
Citations Sent for Review	239	293	156	162	197	178	193	209
Lower Providence	152	196	105	102	145	121	133	150
Worcester	87	97	51	60	52	57	60	59
Citations Approved	113	156	87	70	79	76	90	119
Lower Providence	69	91	43	38	54	37	49	87
Worcester	44	65	44	32	25	39	41	32
Month's Approval Rate	47%	53%	56%	43%	40%	43%	47%	57%
Lower Providence	45%	46%	41%	37%	37%	31%	37%	58%
Worcester	51%	67%	86%	53%	48%	68%	68%	54%
YTD Citations Sent for Review	239	532	688	850	1,047	1,225	1,418	1,627
YTD Citations Approved	113	269	356	426	505	581	671	790
YTD Approval Rate	47%	51%	52%	50%	48%	47%	47%	49%
Tickets Mailed	73	184	96	76	74	80	88	111
YTD Tickets Mailed	73	257	353	429	503	583	671	782
Hearings Requested	4	16	22	16	8	11	16	15
YTD Hearings Requested	4	20	42	58	66	77	93	108
YTD Hearings Requested Rate	4%	4%	6%	7%	6%	6%	7%	7%
2023-2024 YTD Citations Approved	24	75	122	148	148	260	319	319
Change	89	194	234	278	357	321	352	471

Stop Arm Violations Chart 23-24

Bus Patrol SY 23-24

Category	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan*	Feb*	Mar	April	May	June
Citations Sent for Review	88	158	194	100			246	108
Lower Providence								15
Worcester								93
Citations Approved	24	51	47	26			112	59
Lower Providence								5
Worcester								54
Month's Approval Rate	27.3%	32.3%	24.2%	26.0%			45.5%	54.6%
Lower Providence								33.3%
Worcester								58.1%

YTD Citations Sent for Review	88	246	440	540	540	540	786	894
YTD Citations Approved	24	75	122	148	148	148	260	319
Approval Rate	27.3%	30.5%	27.7%	27.4%	27.4%	27.4%	33.1%	35.7%

Tickets Mailed	16	150	108	99	52	57	31	32
YTD Tickets Mailed	16	166	274	373	425	482	513	545

Hearings Requested	0	1	5	0			0
YTD Hearings Requested	0	1	6	6	6	6	6	6
YTD Hearings Request Rate	0.0%	1.3%	4.9%	4.1%	4.1%	4.1%	2.3%	1.9%

2022-2023 YTD Tickets Approved	55	173	283	374	444	490	526	548
Change	(31)	(98)	(161)	(226)	(296)	(342)	(266)	(229)

The Bus Patrol program was on hold from January through Feburary as the law was being adjusted.

How Does the Safety Program Work?

BusPatrol's safety program combines education with enforcement to effectively change motorist behavior over time and create a culture of awareness and responsibility around school buses.

In addition to stop-arm enforcement cameras, the Methacton School District bus fleet is now fully equipped with additional features to improve safety for students and drivers.

This includes:

360° safety cameras inside and outside the bus
GPS tracking
Emergency response solutions

This technology is all included as part of the program at zero cost to the school districts and taxpayers.

When Should I Stop for a School Bus in Pennsylvania?

</center> <ul> <li>Motorists MUST stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop-arm activated.</li> <li>Motorists MUST stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus, or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped.</li> <li>Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus MUST also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop-arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety.</li> <li>If a physical barrier separates the roadways such as grassy medians, guide rails, or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.</li> <li>Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.</li> </ul></div></fs_content></fs_panel><fs_panel title="What Happens If You Illegally Pass a Stopped Methacton School Bus?"><fs_content><div>All school buses that transport Methacton students are equipped with safety technology, including stop-arm enforcement cameras. Cameras on the side of school buses help capture violation events and vehicle license plate numbers. Violations are reviewed by law enforcement. Once approved, a notice of violation is sent to the registered vehicle owner by mail. In Pennsylvania, a first-time stop-arm violation witnessed by a stop-arm enforcement camera carries a fine of $300 and no points. In addition to the financial deterrent, violators learn about the potential dangers of their actions. Offenders can call the program's toll-free number (1-800-852-7741) and speak with a representative, who can review the video evidence and help them understand the dangers of illegally passing a school bus. Services are offered in both English and Spanish. Data from other safety programs demonstrates that 98% of first-time offenders do not receive a second ticket, and 95% of drivers do not contest their ticket after seeing video evidence of their violation. <img src="/cms/lib/PA50000637/Centricity/Domain/62/buspatrol.png" alt="BusPatrol steps" height="487" width="500" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></div></fs_content></fs_panel><fs_panel title="Who Can I Contact for Assistance?"><fs_content><div>To speak to a representative about a stop-arm violation, contact the AlertBus Customer Contact Center toll-free support line at 1-800-852-7741. <ul> <li>The Contact Center is available Monday- Friday (8am – 5pm)</li> <li>English, Spanish, and French-speaking customer service agents are available to address your inquiries <ul> <li>Please have your Citation Number ready when you call</li> </ul> </li> </ul> To view the violation video evidence online or to pay for a violation by credit card, visit <a href="www.alertbus.com" aria-invalid="true">www.alertbus.com</a> and enter the following information: <ul> <li>Your citation number (example: PA-777777)</li> <li>Your vehicle license plate number (no dashes or spaces)</li> </ul></div></fs_content></fs_panel></fs_panelgroup>

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