Do you know the science behind school bus yellow? No, it’s not because someone really liked mustard.
Back in 1939, Frank Cyr, an educator championing safer school transportation, organized a conference that shaped much of modern school transportation and, frankly, nailed it with “school bus yellow.”
The color choice is pure genius—not to mention scientifically backed. Yellow is the most visible color to the human eye, especially in our peripheral vision. Studies show we spot yellow 1.24 times more efficiently than red.
The wavelength of this yellow stimulates both red and green photoreceptor cells in our eyes, doubling the brain’s alert signal. Even for the colorblind, this shade stands out.
Add black lettering to the mix, and you have a rolling billboard screaming, “Slow down, kids aboard!”
So, next time you see that big yellow bus, thank Cyr and science for the extra caution on the road.
