Transportation safety is a priority for us.  Over the years, we've seen the aftermath of too many bus accidents - bruised bodies and mangled metal.  

How do we address safety issues?

Operator Fatigue and Sleep Patterns

For the last several years, we've been addressing the issue of driver fatigue in our operator assignments.  We've developed a system which keeps drivers on the same sleep pattern throughout their workweek. 

One large property experimented with a computerized run cut for one of its contractors. They had many assignments which began as early straights and gradually became late straights as the work week progressed.  In the worst case, an operator first reported at 5:47 AM on Tuesday, off at 2:33 PM, after two days off.   By Friday, the operator would have reported at 2:23 PM, signing off at 12:19 AM.   The fatigue induced by such a schedule, and the resulting accident potential, are obvious.   

We have been cutting runs for that contractor since the contract began.  When we applied our method, every one of the 140 assignments let the bidding driver establish and maintain a sleep pattern throughout the bid period.  As a note, our cut also had lower overtime, so it was more cost-effective too. 

Run cutting is a series of trade-offs.  The client's computerized run cut had consecutive days off for all 140 drivers.  Our cut had consecutive days off for 124 drivers, non-consecutive for 16 drivers.  From every perspective, as a former driver, and a former General Manager, we'll trade a few non-consecutive days off for reduced fatigue and increased safety levels any day. 

Our policy is that early drivers always work earlys.  Late drivers always work lates.  Perhaps most importantly, night drivers always work night runs, providing the maximum possible amount of off-time and rest before they return to work the next day.

Spread Time and Personal Life

Sleep patterns are not the only issue we consider.  One mid-size property in the midwest was cutting runs route-by-route.  When we cut the system as a whole, we broke up some straight runs to reduce split spread time.   Again, the property saved money, and the drivers finally had an opportunity for both family life and adequate rest time.

System Design

We also consider safety measures in designing service.  From evaluating turning movements and traffic signals to ensuring appropriate running times, we always consider safety issues.

Church Bus Safety

Our safety work also led us to develop a safety presentation for church buses.  A Texas 1992 fatal church van accident prompted us to develop the program.  The Church Bus Safety Presentation is available to Dallas-area churches and non-profit Private Motor Carriers of Passsengers. 

We present safety tools and techniques which trained bus drivers use everyday, but which volunteer drivers may not know.  Pre-trip inspections, common driving errors, major causes of accidents, driver fatigue, driving in convoy, railroad crossing safety, and other issues are presented.