New NYC buses have Wi-Fi but no tech to avoid those on foot

[...] as modern as the buses are, with USB charging ports and free Wi-Fi, most will still initially lack technology to address perhaps the worst safety issue with the big vehicles, hitting pedestrians while making turns.

"Amenities like Wi-Fi are welcome, and they certainly add to the experience of riding the bus, but the first priority should be on improvements to buses that save lives," said Paul Steely White, executive director of the Transportation Alternatives advocacy group.

The MTA announced last year it would start testing two different safety technologies that it hopes will eventually improve safety on the vehicles: a pedestrian turn warning system and a collision avoidance system.

The warning system would be external, with speakers issuing audible warnings aimed at informing pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles that the bus was making a left or right turn.

The collision system would use sensors to alert the bus driver with visual and audio alerts if a forward or side crash was imminent.