Mercedes Debuts New Generation School Bus Concept
Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on February 7, 2006
Growing up, I was fortunate enough to not have to endure the rigors
that accompany taking the bus to school - weekly beatings by the
school bully, getting my lunch money stolen...
Unfortunately for many kids, having their parents drive them to
school is not an option, and for those kids, Mercedes has delivered
what they're calling the "New Generation School Bus" concept.
I have to admit, when I first heard Mercedes had a school bus
concept, I was expecting more than a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter fitted
with a few additional seats; however, upon closer inspection, it does
has quite a few safety features that would make schoolbuses a whole
lot safer. In addition to the host of safety innovations already
found on a standard Mercedes Sprinter, a few highlights include
seating for seven, with each seat fitted with a three-point seat belt
system; a crash recorder that, in the event of an accident, will
allow for precise analysis of why the accident occurred; and a camera
system that allows the driver to monitor passengers with minimum effort.
Of course, the New Generation School Bus concept was designed with
accessibility in mind as well. For those with limited mobility, an
electronically activated step automatically extends when the doors
are opened, lowering the entrance height and acting as a bridge
between the bus and the curb. For those with wheelchairs, special
seating is reserved in the rear of the bus, and a electro-
hydraulically operated lift allows for easy boarding.
As I write this, I already know what the helpless school kids around
the world are saying - "This all sounds great, but how do I stop
Timmy from picking on me? What barriers of defense are in place to
save my precious Nintendo DS?" After scanning the press release, it
appears that this is one area the New Generation Bus concept is still
lacking. It is with that realization that I tell the Mercedes
engineers this: "To those that designed this magnificent school bus
concept, take heed: smaller-than average school kids around the
world need protection. Stun guns, pepper spray, anything... They're
begging you - please, please put an end to the school bully."
Want more info? Although I've only scratched the surface of what the
Mercedes New Generation School Bus encompasses, you can find photos,
more details and the full list of features by visiting
www.eMercedesBenz.com and checking out the press release below.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Maximum safety on the school run: New Generation School Bus concept
unveiled in Austria
Stuttgart/Linz, Feb 07, 2006
Safety is one of the core values of the Mercedes-Benz brand.
Practically every automotive safety system that has been developed
over the past several decades was first tested and introduced as
standard in Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Whether it be the safety
passenger cell, safety steering system, anti-lock braking system,
airbag or Electronic Stability Program (ESP), these and a wealth of
other systems all made their debuts in passenger cars, vans, trucks,
buses and coaches displaying the Mercedes star.
So it comes as no surprise that Mercedes-Benz is also committed to
ensuring safe school-bus transport, in this case as an exclusive
partner in the „New Generation School Bus“ concept – a pilot project
organised by the Upper Austria State Government, first unveiled to
the public in Linz/Austria on January 31, 2006. The new minibus – the
brainchild of Mercedes-Benz Minibus GmbH in Dortmund, authorised
importer Mercedes-Benz Austria and local dealer Pappas Linz – was
designed specifically for the Austrian school-bus project, which is
scheduled to run for 11 months. In addition to the already extensive
safety package specified as standard for Sprinter minibuses, this
vehicle features a raft of additional safety measures, some of which
have been implemented for the very first time, making this minibus
the safest school bus currently on the road in Austria. Between now
and early 2007, the new school-bus concept will be showcased at
numerous events all over Austria whilst being optimised on an on-
going basis.
Exemplary safety equipment in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
The New Generation School Bus concept is based on a standard Mercedes-
Benz Sprinter 313 CDI minibus with a wheelbase length of 3,550 mm and
a raised roof. This particular vehicle is extremely compact and
manoeuvrable thanks to its overall length of just 5,640 mm and a
small turning circle. The Sprinter already features an extensive
standard equipment package – including an anti-lock braking system
(ABS), acceleration skid control (ASR), Brake Assist (BAS),
electronic brake force distribution (EBV) and the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP) – making it the undisputed leader in its class.
Paintwork, flashing lights and stop sign improve perceptual safety
Out on the road, the luminous yellow paintwork makes the concept
vehicle really stand out. Further features which increase other road
users’ awareness and, therefore, enhance road safety include the
standard-fit third brake light in the double-rear-door portal and the
raised position of the rear indicators which are complemented by four
yellow/red flashing warning lights on the roof. These lights improve
perceptual safety substantially when the school bus is coming to a stop.
Another, equally noticeable feature is the fold-out stop sign with
two integrated flashing lights on the left at the rear of the
sidewall, which the driver operates simply by pressing a button after
stopping the bus. The stop sign and the flashing lights serve as an
unequivocal reminder for other road users, indicating that it is
forbidden to overtake a stopping school bus, since this law often
goes unheeded. When the driver releases the handbrake and starts off
again, the sign is retracted automatically and the flashing lights
switch off.
Numerous safety extras fitted ex factory
Whereas the flashing lights and stop sign are specifically designed
for the New Generation School Bus, further safety-enhancing options –
such as the heated windscreen with rain sensor, two additional
exterior mirrors, fog lamps, daytime running lights, a co-driver
airbag and reinforced suspension – can be fitted ex factory. The
TEMPMATIC air-conditioning system with temperature control, in this
case supplemented by an additional air-conditioning unit for the rear
compartment, improves driver-fitness safety and, therefore, road
safety in general, especially in mid-summer. It also helps to keep
the windows clear.
Electrically operated sliding door and electric step
Easy access to the passenger compartment is provided by a sliding
door on the right-hand side of the vehicle. The door is electrically
operated by the driver and comes fitted with an obstruction sensor as
well as a door-reversing device. An automatic step – controlled by a
door contact switch which extends or retracts the step when the
sliding door is operated – enhances both safety and convenience,
since it reduces the school bus entrance height by approx. 100 mm to
230 mm. This aspect is of particular benefit to younger passengers
and passengers with restricted mobility. Last but not least, the
extended step bridges the gap between the vehicle and the kerb – a
further safety-enhancing feature.
A camera system enables the driver to keep an eye on passengers
boarding the bus at all times with a minimum of effort. The images
filmed by the exterior camera above the sliding door are sent to a
flat-screen monitor on the dashboard and are also recorded. The
camera is switched on automatically when the door is opened. An
exterior loudspeaker near the sliding door allows the driver to
address the waiting passengers, while interior lighting including
additional night-lighting aids orientation in the passenger
compartment when it is dark outside.
Seven passenger seats with three-point seat belts, lift and floor
rails for wheelchair users
There is room for up to seven schoolchildren on board the new school
bus. The passenger compartment contains either five single seats and
two folding seats or five seats for schoolchildren plus two
wheelchair spaces, with a driver’s and co-driver’s seat at the front
in each case. The seats in the rear are attached to a floor-rail
system, while the restraint systems take account of both age and
weight. All the seats have three-point seat belts. Safety
considerations mean that there is no standing room available on board
the New Generation School Bus.
The two single seats at the rear can be folded together and swivelled
to the side in order to carry up to two passengers with restricted
mobility and their wheelchairs. The wheelchairs are lifted on board
by an electro-hydraulically operated lift at the rear of the vehicle.
Here they are securely fastened to the floor rails using a system of
special belts. The wheelchair users themselves wear separate seat belts.
Should the school bus be involved in an accident, a crash recorder
similar to those carried in aircraft enables rapid and precise
analysis of the accident. The unit automatically records the main
handling-dynamics data in the final seconds leading up to an
accident. This information has to be extremely precise and so
includes details of whether the horn or direction indicators were
operated at critical times, for example.
A project implemented with the help of specialist project partners
Mercedes-Benz Minibus GmbH, Mercedes-Benz Austria and Pappas Linz
worked together with numerous specialist project partners to
implement the New Generation School Bus concept, notably the Upper
Austria State Transport Department, the Upper Austria Chamber of
Commerce, the Upper Austria Federation of Parent Associations, the
Austrian Automobile Club (ÖAMTC), the Austrian Police and the
Austrian Traffic Safety Committee, especially Professor Hermann
Steffan from Graz Technical University and the crash-recorder
manufacturer Siemens-VDO.
Mercedes-Benz Minibus GmbH is a subsidiary of EvoBus GmbH –
responsible for bus and coach activities within the DaimlerChrysler
Group – and is currently Europe’s largest minibus body manufacturer.
For more Mercedes-Benz news and information, visit
www.eMercedesBenz.com.