SDS Student Detection System by Rostra

Don't see your vehicle listed here?
Please call our customer service department at 1-800-782-3379 and we'll be happy to assist.

School bus operators carry the most precious cargo - children. Sadly, each year children are injured, or worse, in accidents while boarding and leaving buses. Rostra Precision Controls is pleased to announce the Rostra Student Detection System, a system utilizing the latest technology to help ensure children's safe arrival at school and home.

The Rostra SDS is a motion-activated detection system that uses reflected radar waves to detect a moving target. When a target, a child, is detected within specified danger zones in the front, rear, and sides of the bus, an alarm sounds to alert the driver, and corresponding LEDs on a display panel indicate the target's location by zone. The system can also include a RearSentry Rear Obstacle Sensing System, installed for rear coverage when the bus moves in reverse.

Download our SDS brochure by clicking here.

Part Numbers

Replacement Parts

Zone 1: 250-7201-A
Zone 2: 250-7201-B
Zone 3 and 5: 250-7201-C
Zone 4: 250-7201-D

Product Functionality

Image Gallery

Download Original

SDS Sensor

A view of the top of the SDS Sensor.
Download Original

SDS Sensor

A view of the bottom of the SDS Sensor reveals a slot where the mounting brackets attach.
Download Original

SDS Sensor Module

The sensor module serves as a control unit and is responsible for determining distance of objects behind your vehicle.
Download Original

SDS Display Module

The SDS display module houses red, yellow and green LEDs to alert the driver to nearby obstacles.
Download Original

SDS LED Warning Lights

The SDS display module houses red, yellow and green LEDs to alert the driver to nearby obstacles.
Download Original

SDS Wiring Harness

The SDS system consists of multiple sensors connected by wiring harnesses such as the one shown.

How Does It Work?

The SDS display unit is initialized when the ignition is on.
The SDS zones are activated when the bus flashers are on and the front gate is extended. The green LED on the SDS display unit will be on.
When an object is detected in any of the zones, the green LED shuts off, and the red LED flashes simultaneously with an audible alarm.
The system will automatically clear in 4 seconds if no intrusions are detected. The LED will go from red to green.
Has microwave radar technology that works in all weather conditions.

Download a copy of Rostra's 3 Year/36,000 Mile warranty registration card by clicking here.