Improving School Bus Safety With New Technology
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/03/20
Maurice Gregoire, an expert in school bus safety, discusses the development of CrossSafe 360, a perimeter visibility system designed to prevent low-speed collisions involving students and pedestrians. With four HD wide-angle cameras and AI-powered monitoring, the system provides a 360° bird’s-eye view, enhancing driver awareness. Gregoire, a member of Transport Canada’s Advisory Committee, highlights the role of perimeter visibility mandates and explains how 4G/LTE connectivity enables real-time incident response and driver training. While CrossSafe 360 aligns with Canada’s 2027 mandate, expansion into the U.S. is not currently planned due to trade challenges.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What challenges in school bus safety led to CrossSafe 360?
Maurice Gregoire: In recent years there has been an increase of low speed collisions with students and pedestrians leading to injury and death. There seems to be a reduced respect for the size and awkwardness of a Big Yellow School Bus with inherent Blind Spots. School Bus Drivers can no longer rely on “common sense” and need a tool that can provide them with eyes all around the school bus, especially during low speeds. CrossSafe 360 provides this tool.
Jacobsen: How does this system address those challenges more effectively?
Gregoire: With 4 HD wide angle cameras installed on the perimeter of the bus above the windows, CrossSafe 360 effectively provides the School Bus Driver with a complete view of the perimeter of the bus, from the ground at the sides of the bus to about 15 – 25 meters out. Using the systems Blind Spot Monitoring system, the images are stitched together for a birdseye view hovering above the bus 6 – 10 meters, and provides an audible and visual alert if motion is detected in the area around the school bus.
Jacobsen: What is your role with the Transport Canada’s Advisory Committee?
Gregoire: Our role on the Advisory was mainly passive on the Perimeter Visibility segment. While we learned more about the technical requirements, we already knew the School Bus Driver benefits and had already started our system development. Our interest was session decorum and program rollout processes. We were more active in the infraction camera and ESA (Extended Stop Arm) segments of the Transport Canada initiative as this has been our forte for the past 8 – 15 years.
Jacobsen: How has this role led to the mandate for perimeter visibility on school buses?
Gregoire: General consensus on the Perimeter Visibility solution seemed to be “yes, this makes sense and would greatly improve the Bus Drivers ability to see all around the bus”. Actually, the focus on the Perimeter Visibility segment being approved came as a bit of a surprise to us, and to many Student Transportation Departments across Canada. The main concern was the monitor distracting the School Bus Driver at speed, we resolved with CrossSafe 360 by turning off the monitor at a programmed speed.
Jacobsen: How do the ultra-wide-angle HD cameras and the AI-powered HD DVR create a 360° view?
Gregoire: Basically, each wide angle HD camera “sees” 180º, the images from all 4 cameras are then stitched together, much like a panoramic image on your smartphone. The School Bus Driver can view all 4 cameras individually, or view the birdseye view and see the entire area around the school bus. Using AI and advanced stitching algorithms, we produce this bird’s eye view. The BSM (Blind Spot Monitoring) system looks for motion while filtering out the background using similar motion detection technology found in modern CCTV surveillance camera systems.
Jacobsen: What are the benefits of an audio-visual blind spot monitoring system for school bus drivers? What firmware upgrades may be added over time?
Gregoire: This feature is a tool used by the School Bus Driver to enhance thier ability to drive the bus safely. It is not meant to replace the bus driver’s own eyes, but to provide an additional level of visibility to see people and objects moving around the bus while at low speeds. With an audible notification, the School Bus Driver can quickly see where the issue is located with an Icon on the screen, then take corrective action if required. As the system is currently stable, firmware upgrades would only take place if Transport Canada or the D250 changes the current perimeter visibility project system’s specifications. Our system is designed with sufficient power to add features with a firmware upgrade. This is performed by simply inserting the SD card with the new firmware into the device and powering up. The firmware is upgraded automatically. Our new revision CrossSafe 360 will allow for remote firmware upgrades via 4G/LTE.
Jacobsen: How does 4G/LTE contribute to immediate incident response and driver training?
Gregoire: Our 4G/LTE IVMS (Intelligent Video Monitoring System) provides a wealth of functions and features, including G-Force and Alarm/Event notifications. This is where an event such as an impact or School Bus Driver triggered event (button push), sends an SMS or Email to the administration. The Administration can then view the cameras in real-time and take appropriate action. As the recorded video shows the entire area around the bus, this can be turned into a Bus Driver Training tool. Also, remotely viewing the camera in real time can provide valuable live training opportunities.
Jacobsen: The mandate takes effect in November 2027, and the system is tailored to meet Canadian standards; any plans to expand CrossSafe 360 for markets in the U.S.?
Gregoire: CMVTC MJG Technologies will be ready to roll out to meet this timeline, and we will have retrofit equipment ready by summer 2025. With this being a system designed for Canadian School Buses, and the trading turmoil with the USA, we do not have plans to market to the USA. Traditionally, we have stayed focused on developing equipment for Canadian School Buses and providing our technologies to Canadian clients. This business model has worked well for us and provided substantial growth in Canada.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Maurice.
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