National Trails School Bus Increases Student Safety with Zonar Software!

In 2019, National Trails School Bus LLC began serving local school districts with pupil transportation services in the Southeast Michigan region. Safety and Compliance software Samsara was the leading software solution for the brand until 2024. With the announcement of National Trails becoming the newest provider of pupil transportation services to Michigan’s largest school district, a new safety software solution was needed for the growing fleet.

What is Zonar Systems?

Zonar Systems is a software development company with a strong focus on “designing, patenting, and building award-winning smart fleet management and mobility technologies for professional transportation fleets. Helping them flourish and operate more safely is job one.” Founded in 2001, Zonar Systems began with the belief that “safety is for everyone”. Dedication to safety for all is a belief that is shared by both Zonar and National Trails, making Zonar an excellent solution for the transportation provider.

How Does Zonar Help Pupil Transportation Providers?

Zonar Systems features unique solutions for pupil transportation providers like National Trails School Bus, including;

• Fleet Management
• Driver Productivity
• Verified Pre- & Post-Trip Inspections
• Safe & Fuel Efficient Driving
• Fleet Compliance
• Systems Integration

Fleet Management

Fleet Management solutions through Zonar provide National Trails School Bus with the following features;

• Vehicle Tracking
• Route Optimization
• Asset Utilization

Vehicle Tracking

Student safety is the number one priority for National Trails School Bus. Zonar’s Fleet Management tools allow us to view real-time vehicle tracking using GPS locations for the entire National Trails School Bus fleet. 

Parents of students can get peace of mind knowing that their child is safe on a National Trails School Bus, through the Zonar Parent Portal (MyView). Parents get real-time location updates on where their child’s bus is, and if the bus is ahead or behind route schedule. The Parent Portal also allows parents to see that their student made it on-and-off the bus safely, using the ZPASS reader.

Administrators of the School District also receive location and route updates, providing transparency to the District while also holding providers accountable.

Route Optimization

The Route Optimization feature allows transportation providers to develop more efficient, safer, and time-conscious school bus routes. Pick-up and drop-off points are determined by the School District; then Zonar develops the safest, most efficient routes using intelligent mapping software.

Asset Utilization

At National Trails, it’s important that each School Bus vehicle in the fleet is properly scheduled when used in conjunction with route schedules and mid-day or field trips. The Asset Utilization feature allows the provider to see which vehicle units are available/unavailable for use. 

This feature also allows the provider to connect Zonar with Preventable Maintenance Software (like RTA: The Fleet Success Company), in order to efficiently track and schedule regular maintenance on vehicles. This ensures that the vehicle health and uptime of every National Trails School Bus is extended, all with the highest safety standards.

Driver Productivity

National Trails School Bus Drivers get proper assistance with every aspect of their responsibilities with the help of the in-cab driver tablets. These tablets are pre-loaded with applications that help safeguard student passengers, and assist with timing and efficiency.

Costs to the School District are lowered when the transportation provider has more control over costs such as payroll. School Bus Drivers are empowered to develop better time & task management skills, with the help of Zonar Access. Zonar Access helps drivers standardize and electronically verify bus cleaning protocols, sanitation, route efficiency, and verify pre- & post-trip inspections.

Verified Pre- & Post-Trip Inspections

It is National Trails company policy (and the law!) that every vehicle undergoes a pre-trip inspection prior to every departure, and a post-trip inspection upon every arrival back to the terminal. Zonar assists in the verification of each Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) by sending alerts to the provider, as well as the assigned driver if a DVIR was not submitted.

Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) must cover the following, in order to list any defects or deficiencies that may impact the safety of the vehicle or result in a mechanical failure.

• Service brakes, including trailer brake connections
• Parking (hand) brake
• Steering mechanism
• Lighting devices and reflectors
• Tires
• Horn
• Windshield wipers
• Rear-vision mirrors
• Coupling devices
• Wheels and rims
• Emergency equipment

If a driver operates more than one vehicle during the day, a report must be prepared for each vehicle operated.

National Trails School Bus saves time, money, and resources with Zonar’s electronic Verified Inspections tool; eliminating the need for manual paper inspections. With Verified Inspections, safety, compliance, and maintenance work in harmony to ensure a safe ride for all.

Safe & Fuel Efficient Driving

Do you know what the fuel economy of a school bus is? 

Even with modern technology, the average MPG of a school bus is 6 to 10 MPG. The size and weight of the vehicle is the main factor in the impact of the bus’ fuel economy. “Larger buses that can carry more passengers [like a school bus] tend to have lower fuel efficiency compared to smaller buses. This is because larger buses require more fuel to move heavier weights and sizes.”

“What is measured, improves”

-Peter F. Drucker

It’s no secret that rising costs of fuel have been a major factor in the decrease of summer travel for 2024. “Higher oil prices affect air [and ground] travel costs as [providers] cope with higher prices for fuel by increasing the cost [for service].” Zonar tracks the fuel economy of each vehicle; identifying and addressing idling times in order to prevent fuel waste. The prevention of fuel waste allows National Trails School Bus to keep costs lower for school districts and other customers.

Fleet Compliance

Whether an organization is transporting consumer goods or students, a fleet is subject to maintain Federal Fleet Compliance with the FMCSA. “The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) monitors motor carrier compliance with safety regulations to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses, but it does not do this important work alone.“ 

The FMCSA’s laws and regulations are complex and ever-changing with today’s world. It’s imperative that transportation providers like National Trails School Bus stay up-to-date with any changes in fleet compliance. Zonar resources allow us to stay ahead by sending Managers information on how the fleet should be adapting to any new changes. 

Keeping School Bus Drivers & Passengers Safe

While school buses remain the safest mode of transportation for students to-and-from school, there has been a 33% national increase of injuries to school bus drivers while on the job since 2007. Of the total number of accidents involving school buses, 87% were caused by another passenger vehicle. Most accidents involving a school bus occur at the beginning, (September) and the end (June) of the school year. 

Zonar’s Safety & Compliance software provides detailed reporting on safe driving behaviors. This includes real-time reporting on items such as;

• Speeding
• Sharp turns
• Harsh acceleration
• Harsh braking
• Driver dash cam
• Seat belt monitoring
• Rolling stops
• Lead/following distance
• Stop-arm extension cameras

With the help of Zonar’s Fleet Compliance features, National Trails School Bus maintains safety for our company, our employees, our passengers, and drivers on the road.

Systems Integration

Zonar understands that there are numerous tools that exist to help school bus fleets stay safe, up-to-date, in compliance, and on time! Zonar systems software integrates with other software solutions that we’ve invested in for National Trails School Bus. API software allows Zonar to communicate quickly with dispatching and routing software; The Bus Network. 

These software solutions allow National Trails School Bus to operate at the highest possible level and provide top-notch customer service to those we serve. When we have better clarity and understanding with what is occurring in our fleet, we have more time to mitigate issues before they arise.

Safety; The Top Priority of National Trails School Bus

In today’s world, the topic of safety in our schools is questioned. With the addition of Zonar to the National Trails School Bus fleet, it helps provide clarity, transparency, and peace of mind to parents of students that ride with National Trails.

Looking for a School Bus Rental?

National Trails School Bus offers transportation solutions for local travel throughout the state of Michigan. Whether you’re looking for field trip transportation, or getting wedding guests to-and-from the venue; customers can count on National Trails to provide a safe, comfortable, and reliable travel experience for all. Our team of licensed CDL professionals are held to the highest standards of safety; it’s our first core value!

Fill out a QUOTE REQUEST FORM on our website, and receive your FREE quote by next business day! Let us show you the National Trails difference. Ride with us!