China unveils bus with black box for better emergency response

China has unveiled an electric- powered bus featuring a new security system which makes it easier for people to escape during emergencies and is equipped with a "black box" that automatically sends information and video footage to the control centre in case of an accident.
The bus made its debut in China's Guangdong province on Friday.
The electric-powered bus, designed by the Municipal Commission of Transport in Guangzhou, will perform trial runs before it is adopted more widely.
According to Zhao Jiantong, manager of the information office of the Guangzhou electrical bus company, there are eight emergency buttons inside the bus.

One of the buttons is for the driver, while the remaining seven are for passengers and are located near seven safety windows.
"In the case of explosion or fire, people can escape through nine exits," Zhao was quoted as saying by the Guangzhou Daily.

The safety windows are larger than those on the old buses and are positioned lower to allow seniors and children to escape.
When a button is pressed, information on an electronic screen outside the bus immediately changes from the bus number to "SOS" accompanied by emergency lights and alarms.
The new bus is also equipped with a "black box" that automatically sends information and video footage from the bus to the control centre when an accident happens.

The new system was unveiled in the aftermath of the death of 26 Chinese tourists whose bus caught fire in Taiwan.