Take the Bus to School

Summary: Take the bus to school rather than driving

Description

For most parents the top concern for getting their children to school is undoubtedly to get them
there safely. Research conducted by both government and private sectors has overwhelmingly
determined that the best way to ensure this safety is to put children onto the school bus.
Research has shown that children who get to school using other methods are 70 times more
likely to be injured or killed than children who ride the bus.

A secondary benefit of riding the bus is a substantial reduction in pollution, greenhouse gas
emissions and congestion by reducing auto trips to schools. On average, a diesel transit bus
that has 40 passengers emits 89% less CO2 per passenger mile than a single-occupancy
vehicle. Anyone who has driven near the entrance to the middle school at the beginning or end
of the school day can attest to the congestion problems associated with car trips to the school.

Check out our Deeper Dive page with information we have pulled together on both of these benefits.

Deep Dive

Key Points on the safety benefits of schoolbus transportation

1. School Bus Safety:

• School Buses Are the Safest Mode of Transportation: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other safety organizations have found that school buses are the safest way for students to travel to and from school. This is due to their design, strict safety standards, and the highly trained drivers.

• Fatality Rates: According to the NHTSA, students are about 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a bus instead of traveling by car. School buses have a much lower rate of fatal accidents per mile traveled compared to passenger vehicles.

• Design and Regulations: School buses are designed with safety features such as reinforced sides, bright colors, flashing lights, and stop-sign arms. They are also subject to rigorous safety regulations.

2. Teenagers Driving to School:

• Higher Risk of Accidents: Teen drivers are among the most at-risk groups for motor vehicle accidents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Inexperience, risk-taking behaviors, and distraction (e.g., from mobile devices) contribute to higher accident rates among teen drivers.

• Peer Passengers: The presence of peer passengers can increase the likelihood of risky driving behaviors, leading to a higher chance of accidents. Studies have shown that the risk of a crash increases with the number of teenage passengers in the vehicle.

• Time of Day: Many accidents involving teen drivers occur during the hours before and after school, particularly during periods of heavy traffic.

3. Statistics and Studies:

• National Safety Council (NSC): The NSC has published data showing that teens are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash per mile driven than adults. They highlight the importance of minimizing risks, such as by encouraging teens to use safer modes of transportation like school buses.

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): The AAP has also advocated for school bus use, noting that school buses are safer than any other form of transportation to and from school.

Summary

Overall, the data overwhelmingly supports that taking the school bus is much safer for teenagers than driving themselves or being driven by peers. The structured environment, professional drivers, and safety regulations surrounding school buses contribute to this higher level of safety. In contrast, the increased risks associated with teen driving, such as inexperience and susceptibility to distractions, make driving to school a less safe option.

For parents, schools, and policymakers, promoting school bus use or other safe transportation options is a key strategy for reducing the risks associated with student transportation.

Examples of Published Studies and Reports on the environmental benefits of riding the schoolbus

1. National Center for Safe Routes to School:

• This organization has published reports on the environmental benefits of students walking, biking, or taking the bus to school instead of driving. The reports often include data on emissions reductions when fewer students drive to school.

2. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

• The EPA has conducted studies and published reports on the environmental impact of transportation, including the emissions of school buses compared to personal vehicles. Their research often includes data on CO2 emissions per mile for different transportation modes.

3. Transportation Research Board (TRB):

• The TRB has published papers on various aspects of school transportation, including the environmental impacts. They have explored how different modes of transportation (buses vs. cars) contribute to the overall carbon footprint of school commutes.

4. The American School Bus Council:

• This organization provides resources and research on the environmental benefits of school buses. They emphasize how school buses reduce the overall number of vehicles on the road, thus lowering the carbon footprint.

5. Scholarly Journals:

• Journals such as "Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment" and "Environmental Science & Technology" often feature studies on transportation emissions, including the comparison of different modes of school transportation.

Key Findings from Research:

• Lower Carbon Emissions per Student: Studies consistently find that buses emit significantly less CO2 per student than individual cars. This is due to the higher number of passengers on a bus, which distributes the emissions over more people.

• Potential Emissions Reductions: Research often highlights the potential for significant emissions reductions if more students were to use the bus or other forms of shared transportation rather than driving individually.

The numbers from the US Environmental Protection Agency:

Cars and light trucks emit on average around 400 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) per mile.

A typical diesel-powered school bus produces around 1,700 grams of CO2 per mile

 With 40 passengers, a bus’ CO2 emissions are 42.5 grams per passenger mile, an 89% reduction compared to a single occupancy auto.

Steps to Take

If it works for your family, allow your school age children to get to and from school via the school bus.