School buses have been a ubiquitous sight on roads for decades, but have you ever wondered why they were painted yellow? From their origins as a symbol of safety and visibility to the latest advancements in design and technology, the history of school bus colors is a fascinating tale of innovation and progress.
The History of Yellow School Buses: A Symbol of Safety and Visibility
Why Were School Buses Painted Yellow?
In the early 20th century, school buses were a diverse range of vehicles, with no federal standards governing their design or safety features. It wasn’t until Frank Cyr, a pioneer in traffic safety, led the effort to standardize school bus safety that yellow became the iconic color we associate with these vehicles today.
The Science Behind Yellow Visibility
Research by Solomon shows that yellow light is the most visible color for both normal and color-deficient individuals under all testing conditions. This is because yellow light stimulates both the red and green cones simultaneously, making it easier for the human eye to detect. However, this doesn’t mean that 100% of people can see yellow equally well – 8 percent of men and 0.5 percent of women are red-green color deficient, meaning they have difficulty differentiating between red and green.
The Safety Features of Modern School Buses
While the bright yellow paint job may make school buses more visible, there’s a lot more that goes into making them safe. Modern school buses are equipped with advanced safety features such as:
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High-crush standards
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Rollover protections
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Flashing red lights
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Stop-sign arms
The Safety Record of School Buses
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), any new school bus sold or leased in America must meet all federal safety standards. Despite their reputation, school buses are remarkably safe, with less than 1 percent of all traffic fatalities involving children on a school bus.
Why Don’t All School Buses Have Seatbelts?
School buses are big and heavy, so they don’t stop as suddenly in an accident. Additionally, the design concept of “compartmentalization” protects children from injury during a crash by closely spaced seats with energy-absorbing seat backs. However, buses that weigh less than 10,000 pounds are required to have seatbelts.
The History of Fire Truck Colors
Fire engines have been painted red for over a century, although the exact origin of this tradition is unclear. From a safety and visibility perspective, however, red isn’t ideal. Some fire departments have switched to bright yellow for increased visibility, with impressive results. However, many are hesitant to make the change due to concerns about public perception.
The Evolution of School Bus Paint
The original formulation of school bus paint was called National School Bus Chrome, made with chromium and lead-based paint. Fortunately, the formulation has been changed over the years to reduce toxicity.
Overall, the history of yellow school buses is a testament to the power of safety innovation. From the early days of standardizing school bus design to the modern features that make them some of the safest vehicles on the road, yellow will continue to be an iconic symbol of traffic safety for generations to come.
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- howstuffworks.com | Why Are School Buses Yellow?
