Department of Transportation Actions being taken as they relate to transportation of students on motorcoach trips. What are school districts doing to ensure students are safe on motorcoach trips?

U.S. Department of Transportation Motorcoach Safety Action Plan On April 30, Secretary Ray LaHood directed the DOT to develop an integrated Motorcoach Safety Action Plan by taking a fresh look at motorcoach safety issues, identify actions to address outstanding safety problems, and develop an aggressive schedule to implement those actions. DOT assessed causes and contributing factors for motorcoach crashes, fatalities, and injuries, and identified opportunities to enhance motorcoach safety. The data show that driver fatigue, vehicle rollover, occupant ejection, and operator maintenance issues contribute to the majority of motorcoach crashes, fatalities, and injuries.

Steps Taken to Create Plan Comprehensive review of existing motorcoach data, analyses, research, and safety information. Reviewed root causes, contributing factors, and fatality/injury patterns for all motorcoach crashes investigated by the NTSB. Identified areas that need to be addressed and reviewed current motorcoach efforts to identify any gaps. Gathered input from stakeholders. Prioritized areas of concern and reviewed or established timeframes for implementation plans.

Motorcoach Safety Action Plan In developing the plan, DOT took a two-pronged approach to identify strategies to address the most frequent causes of crashes, and fatalities and injuries. The most common causes of crashes are driver condition and behavior. Plan focuses on improving driver performance by addressing fatigue, distraction, and medical issues. Root cause of fatalities and injuries are vehicle rollover, occupant ejection, structural integrity and fires.

Seven Priority Action Items 1.Initiate rulemaking to require electronic on-board recording devices on all motorcoaches to better monitor drivers’ duty hours and manage fatigue (FMCSA). 2.Initiate rulemaking to propose prohibiting texting and limiting the use of cellular telephones and other devices by motorcoach drivers (FMCSA). 3.Initiate rulemaking to require the installation of seat belts on motorcoaches to improve occupant protection (NHTSA). 4.Evaluate and develop roof crush performance requirements to enhance structural integrity (NHTSA).

Seven Priority Action Items (Continued) 5.Develop performance requirements and assess the safety benefits for stability control systems on motorcoaches to reduce rollover events (NHTSA). 6.Enhance oversight of carriers attempting to evade sanctions and of other unsafe motorcoach companies (FMCSA). 7.Establish minimum knowledge requirements for people applying for authority to transport passengers (FMCSA).

Passenger Carrier Vetting Responsive to crashes by reincarnated (chameleon) bus companies. A comprehensive system for vetting passenger carrier operating authority applications. Uses all available information sources to ensure applicant is willing and able to comply with regulations and operate safely.

NHTSA Conducted first-ever motorcoach crash test and SLED tests to develop requirement for seat belts on all seating positions. Expect rulemaking later this summer. Between 1999 and 2008 there were 24 fatal rollover events-97 deaths. 76 of the 97 were ejected from the motorcoach. Goal is to improve the structural integrity of the vehicle to improve effectiveness in preventing ejections. In February 2008 four tests for rollover structural integrity. All four failed. Tests conducted on newer and larger motorcoaches passed. Regulatory decision later this year.

NHTSA examined the following issues: Electronic stability control (Regulatory decision later this year). Improved tire performance (NPRM later this year). Emergency evacuation-completed motorcoach emergency egress research at the Volpe Research Center in January (Decision later this year). Bus Fires-2,200 bus fires annually. Adds up to $24.2 million annual cost in direct property damage.

NHTSA examined the following issues: Motorcoach flammability research and test program with the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Look at the test procedures and flammability of materials. Research program to be completed in September. NHTSA is monitoring the Society of Automotive Engineers Truck and Bus Event Data Recorder Subcommittee in their development of reliable and accurate recording of crash parameters and relevant to heavy vehicles. NHTSA Docket

What are states and school districts doing to ensure students are safe on motorcoach trips? NHTSA Guideline 17: Pupil Transportation Safety Comprehensive Pupil Transportation Safety Program-comply with FMCSRs. School District compiles approved list DOT “SAT” Rating Word of Mouth Lowest Cost North Carolina recommended that each school district establish procedures to ensure that a policy exists to qualify motorcoach companies that transport school children.

What are states and school districts doing to ensure students are safe on motorcoach trips? (Continued) 45 school districts in Maryland, Texas, North Carolina are using a private company to establish an approved list-PTSP. PTSP endorsed by Trailways and the following motorcoach associations: GeorgiaTexas VirginiaMississippi FloridaLouisiana OklahomaArkansas

Pupil Transportation Safety Program (PTSP) Mission: To provide school administrators, teachers, coaches, and parents the ability to select a passenger motor carrier from a list of approved carriers who can, with the highest degree of probability provide safe, secure, and reliable transportation services for extracurricular student activities. Private sector business, not a government contract

Pupil Transportation Safety Program (PTSP) PTSP Solutions Carriers must meet established standards to gain approval Standards consistent nationwide Carriers subject to routine performance monitoring Carriers subject to routine on-site inspections every 24 months Tiered rating system to support “Best Value”:1-5 Rating Proactive

PTSP Program Components Application/Investigation Pre-Qualification Evaluation On-Site Pre-Qualification Inspection Six Month On-Road Performance Monitoring Bi-Annual On-Site FTE In-Service Inspection Random No-Notice Standard of Service Safety Inspection Customer Satisfaction Survey Transportation Service Postings

Contact Info: Phil Hanley Consolidated Safety Services (Fairfax, VA) (Business) (Cell) PTSP Website: ptsp.consolidatedsafety.com Pupil Transportation Safety Program