First Student introduces HALO platform for school transportation safety and operations
First Student, a North American provider of student transportation services, has introduced HALO, a new technology platform aimed at improving school transportation management.
The system integrates routing, dispatching, navigation, vehicle monitoring, and safety features into a single platform.
Transportation management
HALO centralizes data and real-time insights to improve communication between school districts, parents, and drivers. The platform was developed by First Student to enhance safety, efficiency, and reliability in student transportation.
John Kenning, CEO and president of First Student, said:
"We have long been pioneers in transportation technology at First Student. From online training and scheduling to vehicle inspections, we have developed technology to make lives easier. With HALO, we are taking it even further, living our values of safety, reliability and innovation by combining powerful analytics and actionable insights. This helps us set the highest standards, keep every student safe and create trusted partnerships, continually improving the experience for our student passengers."
HALO integrates various tools to enhance efficiency and safety in student transportation. Its adaptive routing system continuously evaluates and adjusts routes, improving operational performance and safety. Dispatch management provides a centralized platform for tracking vehicles, managing routes, and monitoring driver performance.
To support recruitment and training, HALO includes a proprietary training app that has reduced onboarding time and led to a 90% first-attempt pass rate on commercial driver’s license (CDL) exams. The system offers driver assistance by guiding pre-trip inspections, navigation, and student tracking.
Parents and school districts can monitor vehicle locations in real time through the FirstView app, ensuring better communication and transparency. HALO also incorporates AI-powered cameras to detect potential hazards, issue real-time alerts, and record critical moments to improve safety.
The system tracks and scores driver performance to encourage professional development and recognizes strong performance. Predictive maintenance features analyze vehicle data to anticipate service needs, reducing downtime and preventing breakdowns. HALO also optimizes electric vehicle (EV) charging schedules for efficiency and applies a least restrictive vehicle model to assign students to appropriately sized vehicles, ensuring comfort and safety.
Kenning added:
"HALO's ability to offer real-time data and intelligent recommendations sets a new standard in the industry. By prioritizing safety, efficiency and innovation, HALO helps us deliver exceptional services to students, parents, and school districts."
