Some buses have stock lowering mechanisms because they lack the steps between the road and floors. The kneeling feature is specific for the buses with the air suspension system.
How Do Buses Lower Themselves? Buses lower themselves with a manually regulated kneeling button, and the driver pushes the button to release air from the front air suspension valves, which reduces their height from the front side.
The air suspension has high-quality air-based springs and internal valves. These valves can open and close according to the signals of the kneeling button.
What technique do buses use to lower themselves?
A few buses have a specific kneeling device that is a stock feature. They can lower themselves, and the frame height decreases from the standard level.
It can reduce the height of the front door from the road. The kneeling procedure is suitable for the comfortable entry and exit of old individuals.
In addition, it protects the children and allows their safe entry and exit from the passenger cabin. They do this to make the entry comfortable for physically disabled individuals.
The kneeling buses do not comprise the specific steps that allow the entry of individuals on the high-floor chassis. Furthermore, they lack the stairs between the floor and the door.
In such circumstances, they use the kneeling mechanism and lower the front side of the frame. They have air suspension with air-based springs.
You can modify the air suspension because of its specific properties. The driver can lower the frame from the front side by the air suspension.
However, the feature requires manual assistance because it has a button. The button connects with the kneeling mechanism, which can lower their frames to the curb.
The entry and exit of the individuals become less challenging. Also, the system utilizes a built-in air compressor.
The air compressor is an essential part of the onboard system. It can use air suspension and remove air through its valves.
The air suspension comprises different valves with small openings. The driver can push the kneeling button, which opens the internal valves of the front side air suspension.
In such circumstances, air is removed from the suspension, and the frame height is reduced on the front edge. However, the frame moves slowly to reduce the vibrations and excessive shaking.
The frame height reduces from the standard level and allows the old individuals to enter and exit comfortably. The driver removes the hand from the switch of the manually operated button.
It stops the movement of signals from the button to the valves. As a result, the air flows back to the air suspension, and the frame height returns to its original level.
Why do buses lower themselves?
The kneeling is a specific mechanism of buses that can modify and regulate the air suspension system.
No need for ramps
These vehicles can lower their frames to reduce the use of ramps. These ramps are like slides that fit on the door. However, passengers can enter or exit them through these ramps conveniently.
They have a slide-like shape but are durable and protect the passengers. But, the self-lowering of the buses decreases their height from the front side.
Their front corner has a door that allows the entry of passengers. In such circumstances, the ramp fitting on the door requires time and effort.
These vehicles do not require a ramp for the passenger’s entry and exit from the cabin.
Kneeling is the best feature which works with the air suspension system and regulates it to reduce the use of ramps.
Easy exit and entry of passengers
The old passengers can enter the high-floor buses with comfort and convenience. However, it leads to several accidents and injuries of these old individuals.
In such circumstances, old individuals avoid them and travel in other vehicles. However, some of them have frame-lowering properties.
They can decrease their frame height on the front side that has the entrance door. However, they can reduce the height by removing the air from the air suspension valves.
The driver cannot remove their hands from the button when the old passengers enter and exit the cabins.
Also, lowering their frames at different stops allows the old individuals to enter them conveniently. They can exit from them once the front side of their frame becomes closer to the road.
Wheelchair entry
Many physically disabled people travel on buses. However, their entry is challenging in the high-floor buses because they are high above the ground.
Individuals in wheelchairs can enter them with human help. But, they require external assistance to pull the wheelchair inside the passenger cabin.
These procedures consume more time which affects their schedules. It can result in traffic jams and other such problems.
The manufacturing companies of a few buses add the lowering feature in them. Furthermore, it is called kneeling of the frame and works with the front bag air suspension system that comprises valves.
They stop at specific destinations, and the driver pushes the button. In such circumstances, the signals move to the air suspension system.
It removes the air from the small-sized valves and reduces the height of the front side of the frame at a slow speed.
The front corner becomes low and reaches near to ground. In such circumstances, the individuals can move their wheelchairs through their door and enter the passenger cabin without human help.
They can enter and exit from them without assistance. Also, this entrance and exit keep them safe because the frame is near the road.
This frame height is not dangerous for individuals in wheelchairs.
Height control
The kneeling or lowering mechanism of the buses regulates the height. It controls the height of the frame above and close to the road.
The drivers can manually regulate the air suspension regulator. They can release the button to fill the suspension with air again.
The kneeling device is a stock feature of their frames and lowers the height of the front side. In such circumstances, the bottom part of the bus is about 9 inches (0.75 feet) above the road.
However, the standard height is around 13.5 inches (1.1 foot) high off the ground. The height control gives driving stability and momentum.
It provides maximum control over the comfortable entry and exit of all passengers.
When do buses lower themselves?
The buses lower their frames at different spots. It makes the exit and entrance of the passengers comfortable.
They can conveniently enter the passenger cabin without accidents and sudden slippage. Moreover, the driver can remove the air from the front bag air suspension for disabled people.
These individuals cannot enter the high-floor buses without ramps and lifts. In addition, their wheelchairs cannot move inside the passenger cabin with manual assistance.
They cannot push the wheels of their wheelchair on the high floor frames. In such circumstances, the driver opens the doors and lowers the frames on the front side.
Moreover, the front parts reach near the ground, and individuals in wheelchairs can pull themselves into the passenger compartments within seconds.
It is beneficial for old individuals and children. However, they do not compare the steps between their floors and the road.
Therefore, they decrease the frame height and make it closer to the road. As a result, old age people and children can enter and exit these high floor-kneeling-based buses comfortably.
They do not undergo sudden accidents and travel safely. However, frequent air removal from the front suspension valves and refilling is dangerous for the system.
It leads to internal damage to the air suspension system. Furthermore, the springs break, and valves remain in one position due to excessive use at multiple stops, which have minimum distance among them.
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