Every year, over 25 million students in the U.S. need transportation to reach school and get back home. It’s amazing how this is made possible logistically, both from the standpoint of dedicated transportation departments striving to make sure these kids get to school on time every day, and the dedicated student transportation management software providers.
While we may marvel at how all these moving pieces come together to run like a well-oiled machine, one question may arise: how does getting kids to school impact the environment?
How Do Kids Get to School?
Based on the National Household Travel Survey, K-12 students across the U.S travel around 3.6 miles to get to school. Private cars are the primary source of conveyance, being over 50% of students’ preferred method of transportation since 2001.
On the other hand, school bus transportation is the second most popular form of conveyance, with 33.2% of students utilizing them to get to school.
It’s important to have a holistic perspective when talking about how student transportation affects the environment. Here’s a rundown of the major factors:
School Buses Still Run on Fossil Fuels
Many school buses run on diesel, contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified diesel exhausts as potentially carcinogenic.
Sounds bad, doesn’t it? Well, school buses are still among the best options for students.
When we put it into the grand scheme of things, school buses are more environmentally safe than cars because they can carry up to 90 passengers. With a recent push towards more environmentally sustainable school buses, they are likely to become the most green way of student transportation in coming years.
Personal Vehicles Causing Traffic Jams
One of the biggest challenges in student transportation is dealing with the unexpected, with traffic congestion being a big factor that can result in delays. While school bus GPS software helps with planned vs actual comparisons and rerouting using AI tools, the core challenge is dealing with traffic.
Here are some other problems caused by students using personal vehicles for commuting:
- Increased Emissions: With the average distance to school being under 5 miles, it’s important to understand that shorter routes cause more emissions. That’s why cars have almost double the emissions per mile compared to buses.
- Resource Drain: Not only do cars use more gas per passenger than buses, they also strain the infrastructure. There’s a need for more parking lots and wider highways.
Final Thoughts
The student transportation industry is heading in the right direction, with software tools assisting districts to improve school bus ridership and eliminate redundant routes to reduce redundant routes. There are also extensive tools that allow districts to track their fuel usage and optimize operations.
With the push towards more green buses, the future looks bright, but an increasing demand for personal transportation is the biggest threat to the industry. It’s important to raise awareness among students and parents about the benefits of yellow bus transportation and the environmental consequences of personal transportation.
