As 2021 starts we continue to deal with the pandemic. We wanted to provide you with accurate data on how Covid-19 has impacted school districts in the USA. To do this, we have surveyed +200 transportation directors of different school districts on what their current situation is and what they are planning for the future.
Key insights will focus on the types of fleet management technologies currently being used, how the pandemic has affected operations, how school districts are dealing with Covid-19, and what they foresee for the immediate future.
Health & Safety Survey Findings
Fleet mgmt technologies school districts are currently using:
- Live GPS Tracking 38%:
- Routing 58%
- Parent Application 24%
- Reporting 23%
- Fleet Management 39%
- Field Trips 41%
- Time-sheets for Drivers 48%
* Routing is the most used feature in school districts. This shows the main necessity when it comes to school fleet management is organizing routes. Creating time efficient routes can lead to budget cuts, learn more on how to create smart routes.
How are buses being used during the pandemic?
- Driving students to and from school 53%
- Delivering Food Supplies and Homework 38%
- Providing WiFi hotspots 11%
- Providing shuttle service 35%
- Parked at the Barn 16%
* We asked school districts what is and has been their use of school buses during the pandemic. Results show that more than half of them have been driving students to and from schools.
Systems added/will add in response to the pandemic:
- Student attendance / ridership control 28%
- Health and safety protocol compliance software 11%
- Others 22%
* We asked what technological systems schools are looking to implement or have already added as a response to the pandemic. Student attendance was the most important being chosen by almost a third of the respondents.
(39% did not answer this question.)
Type of learning:
- In-person 25%
- Completely online 15%
- Hybrid 60%
* We wanted to know how many districts are back to in-person classes and which ones continue with online learning during the last trimester of 2020. Results show that 60% of schools are currently using a hybrid model with both in-person and online learning.
Health and Safety Protocols:
- Yes 97%
- No 3%
* We are glad to inform you that almost all schools reported they have implemented health and safety protocols as a response to the pandemic. Ensuring children’s and staff safety is a priority.
So… In summary:
- Routing systems are at the top of the solutions being utilized by school districts with 58% of respondents saying they are actively using this type of system through the pandemic.
- We were surprised to find out that during the pandemic, 48% of respondents were using a timesheets solution, and 41% a field trip planning module.
- When asked how have buses been used, 50% of respondents confirmed they are driving kids to and from school.
- Student ridership is the #1 solution districts are looking to include because it allows for contact tracing.
- In regards to models of learning, 60% of school districts have implemented a hybrid model, 25% have stuck to in-person learning while only 15% have fully migrated to on-line learning.
- As for specific actions taken to prevent Covid-19 outbreaks, 97% of respondents confirmed they had implemented safety protocols for this matter.
Everyone is doing their best to cope with the changes that Covid-19 has brought with it. The results of our study show school districts are taking Covid-19 seriously however, unfortunately, they have also been greatly affected by the health and economic crisis.
Transportation Departments don’t have to face the pandemic on their own.
Fleet management technologies have proven to be essential and offer a wide range of benefits that include helping you to look for your community’s health.
* For more info on how technology can help read our article on The Benefits of Transportation Technology.