Hot Topics: 7 Current Issues In Pupil Transportation in North Carolina Derek Graham, Section Chief Transportation Services NC DPI

Local PRC 56 Should Coincide with TD-1 ELIGIBLE EXPENSES To/From School Transportation Yellow buses Grades K-12 INELIGIBLE EXPENSES – Local 706 Maintenance of Activity Buses Maintenance of all local vehicles Parts and Labor Mileage for field trips

Allotments and the Cost of Diesel Fuel 22.5 million gallons per year statewide 5 cent increase in the average yearly statewide price costs $1,125, budgeted at $1 per gallon Actual - $1.45 per gallon (statewide cost for the year)

Actions Price rose from budgeted $1 per gallon to $1.45 per gallon –2 additional allotments of $4.5 million each –1 additional allotment of $1.125 million These funds are not available for

Impact Cost currently $1.75 per gallon December 1 allotment will be less than expenditures DPI trying to identify additional funds LEAs should plan for shortfall Unknown until state budget final

Estimating Allotment Refer to Transportation Allotment Data Use Budget Rating Simulator July 27 Memo with Calculation Details Verify Funding Information

Purchasing - Senate Bill 620 It shall be the duty of local boards of education to purchase or exchange all supplies, equipment and materials in accordance with contracts made by or with the approval of the Department of Administration.equipment, and materials, and these purchases shall be made in accordance with Article 8 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. These purchases may be made from contracts made by the Department of Administration.

State Board Policy EEO-H-008 Purchase of School Bus Equipment Initial Policy LEAs, for safety reasons, shall purchase all school buses, school bus replacement tires, brake pads, brake shoes and brake hardware only from the statewide term contract. The Department will confer with the Division of Purchase and Contract on a yearly basis to determine whether technological changes necessitate an amendment to this policy. Required to be Purchased from State Contract –School Buses –School Bus Tires –School Bus Braking Equipment Not required to be Purchased from State Contract –Everything else – Including Activity Buses

State Board Policy EEO-H-008 Purchase of School Bus Equipment Current Policy LEAs, for safety reasons, shall purchase all school buses, school bus replacement tires, brake pads, brake shoes and brake hardware that meet the safety specifications contained in the bid for the statewide term contract. Replacement School Buses Required to be Purchased from State Contract Other equipment not required to be purchase from the state contract –School Buses –School Bus Tires –School Bus Braking Equipment Purchasing outside the state contract does not provide access to state P&C for problem resolution

Replacement Buses 2005 School Bus Contract –Term Contract Awarded to White’s International Separate bid for financing to finance about 450 school buses Same allotment/purchase process as previous 3 years

NTSB Recommendations – Emergency Evacuations Require pre-trip briefings before school- related activity trips on school buses or school-chartered buses and subsequently assist the States in developing criteria for such briefings, to include training all students regarding the location and use of emergency exits.

It’s a Good Idea to Shut It Down: Reducing Unnecessary Idling School Bus Driver “Reduce Idling” Training North Carolina DMV June 2005 Save Fuel and Breathe Easier!

Health Effects of Diesel Particles – Especially on Young Children Due to tiny size of fine “Particulate Matter” it can penetrate deeply into the lungs –May cause allergy symptoms, including irritation to the airways –Aggravates bronchitis and pneumonia and triggers asthma attacks –PM is linked to cancer and increased heart attack risk; could lead to “premature death” REDUCED IDLING REDUCES RISK!

Particulate Matter: What is It? A complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets PM 2.5 (2.5 µm) PM 10 ( 10µm ) Human Hair (70 µm diameter)

Where Does PM Come From?

The Decade of the Diesel Public Policy reflects Health Studies –New, cleaner engine standards –New, cleaner burning fuels Biodiesel Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (350 -> 15 ppm) –Diesel engine retrofits –“Idling Reduction” campaigns

New Diesel Bus Engine Emissions Standards

Rising Cost of Diesel Fuel COST TRIPLED in 40 months February, 2002: $0.55 per gallon June, 2005: $1.66 per gallon

School Buses in North Carolina Outstanding safety record In NC, more than 13,000 buses transport more than 700,000 students nearly a million miles a day

School Bus Idling Reduction Benefits Cleaner, clearer air to breathe Improved health Cost savings –Reduced Idling Could Save $1 million per year statewide

Reduced Idling Recommendations Don’t idle your school bus longer than five (5) minutes to build up air pressure. Additional idling does not warm up the school bus. Don’t idle your school bus longer than two (2) minutes to cool down the turbo at the end of the route.

Reduced Idling Recommendations Do not idle your bus while loading or unloading on school grounds.

Reduced Idling Recommendations Bus should NEVER be left idling and unattended!

School Bus Parking Diagonal ParkingNose to Tail Parking Park Away from Air-Intake for School Buildings

School Bus Driving Be aware of your driving position –Avoid following trucks or other buses if possible; if not possible, keep your distance to avoid THEIR exhaust

Legislative Impact? House Bill 1502 – passed House –Referred to Senate Education Committee Requires State Board to issue guidelines to reduce idling and exposure to emissions Requires Local Boards to adopt policies to reduce exposure to emissions

Occupant Protection Lap Belts – Should not be used in school buses except where needed for an approved Child Safety Restraint System –National Congress on School Transportation 3 Point Seat Belts – Pilot project being reviewed at NC State High Back Seats – Endorsed by the National Congress on School Transportation

3 Point Belts on School Buses in North Carolina 13 Buses in 11 Districts 3-2 seating – 5 across –Not enough room for high school –Middle school questionable (book bags, instruments, etc) Thickness of seat lengthened the bus No “mandate” – local discretion Moving the buses around Biggest (potential) benefit – discipline Study at NC State

High Back Seats Currently used in several states More difficult for driver to see Motion Sickness Better protection Better discipline ? / more potential for discipline problems ?

Crash Protection Tests Low Back Seats

Crash Protection Tests High Back Seats

Hot Topics: 7 Current Issues In Pupil Transportation in North Carolina Derek Graham, Section Chief Transportation Services NC DPI