How does a bus driver use math? - Answers

In quite a few ways: On an OPO service bus there is the taking of fares and giving change - before London (UK) had a single fare, there were lots of fares depending how fare the passenger wanted to go; these were written out in a fare table which looked like half of a matrix and the driver looked up (initially until learnt) the correct fare in the table. Then if multiple fares were required adding together the fares and working out the change to give for tendered money that was not the correct amount. Counting the passengers (on and off) to ensure the vehicle is not overloaded. There's also the reading of the timetable and comparing its current location with the current time to ensure the bus is running to time. Subconcious use of math includes pressure to apply to brake pedal to ensure the bus stops in a given distance smoothly. Comparison of the speed limit with the indicated speed, along with comparison of the indicated vehicle speed with road conditions. Choice of gear (on a manual gearbox) with road speed and approaching hazards. Observing hazards and developing hazards, and deciding action based on speed, location, etc. For non-service bus driving (coach driving in UK) there is the route planning which aims to provide the route to get to the destination at the correct time. This could involve having to avoid roads due to low bridges, width restrictions, one-way streets going the wrong way, etc, and requires estimating speed (and thus time) for the various parts of the journey. Guestimating traffic flow based on effects round junctions and blockages, and the mindset of car drivers (especially those the UK police call CLOCs - Centre-Lane-Owner's-Club members: people who drive in the first overtaking lane (lane 2) when the driving lane (lane 1) is empty), to pick the best lane. Packing baggage into the locker spaces which designers never seem to design with ease in mind - recognising the space available, what bags might fit into it, if necessary mentally rotating bags to fit (a bit like playing 3D Tetris(R)). Subconciously calculating widths to see if the vehicle (at 8'21/2" wide) will get through. Being aware of the rear wheel pivot point when turning corners and how the front and read overhangs will react when turning corners. There's plenty more, but most of my [bus] driving is subconcious these days and I don't actively think of the math involved - it just happens!