October 2005 Charlie Hood fldoe org So what

October, 2005 Charlie. Hood@fldoe. org

So what IS the 14 th NCST (and Why Should I Care)? • National Conferences on School Transportation held since 1939 • Now convened each five years in Warrensburg, Missouri • Basic purpose to deliberate and adopt the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures (NSTSP, “the book”)

National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures May 2000

Intended Use • For use by states when establishing their standards, specifications, recommendations, and guidelines for school transportation vehicles and operations • NSTSP documents official actions of the NCST delegates and comprises recommendations to regulatory authorities or other parties.

The numbers: • 297 Delegates • 47 States • 63 Other Interested Parties • Met from Sunday, May 15 th to Thursday, May 19 th, 2005 in Warrensburg

Major themes of 2005 NCST • Increased leadership position by delegates – Example was stance on passenger crash protection issues • Improved accessibility and productivity through technology, room layout • Name changed to “Congress”

So what really happened? ? ?

Opening Events: • Opened proceedings with name change to Congress • NSTA, NAPT, NASDPTS presented jointly adopted positions and statements on: – School bus passenger crash protection – School transportation security – Recent initiatives to work together

Chassis Specifications (Denny Coughlin, Chair): • Mostly cleanup and updating • Tackled issue of improved fire protection – SBMTC charged with developing test protocol and performance specs for chassis firewalls • Eliminated some obsolete references, including power and gradeability

Body Specifications (Bill Schroyer, Chair): • • • Variable volume back-up alarms (opt. ) Battery compartment on Type A 1 diesels Front, rear bumper wording standardized Black or yellow trim per state specs Jacknife doors removed Emergency exits changed to FMVSS plus roof hatches

Body Specs ( continued): • Floor material specs and max burn rate • MFSAB exemptions: color, stop arms, crossing arms • Electronic circuit protection • 28 in. “high back” seats standard, incl. resolution for same to NHTSA • Driver seat integrated belt (opt. )

Body Specs ( continued): • • Noise canceling switch std. (RR crossings) No lap belts, except with CSRSs Bus Type definitions updated Resolutions to SBMTC on: – Rub rails – Rear bumper underride – Firewalls • Resolution to NHTSA on Type A lap/shoulder belts

Alternative Fuel Buses ( Brian Higginbotham): • Updated to include: – Biodiesel – Hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric – Clean diesel/ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) moved to end due to upcoming federal mandate – General cleanup of layout and format

Specially Equipped Buses (Mike Wagner): • Most specific content removed and references inserted to: – FMVSS 222 (WTORS) – FMVSS 403 (wheelchair lifts) – FMVSS 404 (wheelchair lift installations) – Others as required • Appendix D removed

Operations Procedures (Doug Snyder): • Main focus was to reorganize and “clean up” the section • Routing and scheduling procedures more comprehensive • CASTO proposal for optional student escorting procedure defeated • Reduced idling procedure incorporated • Post-trip passenger checks (using visual or electronic system and procedures)

Operations Procedures (Doug Snyder): • Increased danger zone dimensions (to 12 feet) • Language recommending that all buses shall have two-way communications systems where technologically feasible

School Transportation Security (Pete Baxter): • Provides an overview of questions and considerations re: security • Designed to be used to help LEAs develop self-assessments and locally tailored, comprehensive security awareness and training programs • Will probably be a stand-alone section for greater visibility

Special Needs Operations (Alexandra Robinson): • Name of section changed to “Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs” • All references to bus aides and monitors changed to “attendants” • Aligned with latest IDEA reauthorization • Updated references to WC-19 transportable wheelchair standard

Infants and Pre-schoolers (Linda Bluth, Jean Zimmerman): • Updated to emphasize importance of posttrip checks for children left behind • Use of tethers on safety restraint vests or systems when instructed by mfr’s. • Other updates to conform to latest NHTSA guidelines • Related updates to prohibit standees on lifts, use of W/Cs w/out functional locks

Accident (crash) Reporting (Charley Kennington): • Approved use of model online crash reporting system, including minimum data elements • Online system to be made available to states so national organizations will have access to more detailed, current crash reporting information

Activities Transportation (Maxine Mougeot): • Improved clarity and comprehensiveness of policies for activity trips • Pre-trip instructions to passengers on use and location of emergency exits • Means of checking carriers’ safety records • Will continue as a subsection under General Operations (Trans. Other than To and From School) • Prohibition on towing of trailers by buses transporting students

School Bus Inspection (Bruce Little): • Section was new in 2000 • Updated to clarify inspection procedures and OOS criteria; new Inspection Methods section that details how to inspect specific items • Updated to correct content errors from 2000 document • Many states already exceed the NCST inspection procedures

Resolutions (Bill Loshbough): • Improved procedures for submission: – Single subject – Process specified to forward for federal consideration – Elimination of duplicate resolutions • 11 Resolutions adopted

Resolutions Adopted: • • Integrated driver seat/seat belt (NHTSA) High back passenger seats (NHTSA) Rub rails performance std. (SBMTC) Standardized bus definitions (FMCSA vs. NHTSA) • WC-19 wheelchairs crash data • Study of school bus underride (NHTSA)

Resolutions Adopted: • NCST subcommittee on innovations • Study of fire protection (SBMTC) • School transportation security funding and assistance (US Congress, from four associations) • Three point belts on Type A (NHTSA) • Hours of service guidelines and use of Moving Kids Safely program

Schedule for Publication: • Hard copy book (2005 National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures) to printer in November • On website in PDF (read-only) format shortly after publication • No CD will be produced

Delegate Evaluations: • • 148 of 268 were first-time attendees Adequacy of NCST info: 4. 17 (out of 5) 202 of 250 satisfied with state process Delegation adequately representative of state: 4. 51 (out of 5) • 233 use document as guide; 168 for developing regs

Delegate Evaluations: • 171 believe NCST document adequately used in their states; 38 no, 22 unsure • Comments: round tables; electronic voting; good experience and learning tool; drafts with state comments hard to follow; pace of meeting too fast and sometimes hard to follow; CMSU staff fantastic

Delegate Evaluations: • More Comments – delegates didn’t always understand process – more open process for selection of chairs – process needs to be more timely and efficient – review changes, deletions, new material only

Credits: • Dr. Leanna Depue and CMSU staff– registration, meals, meeting room improvements, on-the-fly word processing and report production, arranged Parliamentarian, etc. , all with a smile and flexibility • Dwight Carlson, General Conference Chair – Managed the always lively proceedings to keep delegates on task and working to a successful, productive conclusion • Dr. Cal Le. Mon – Challenged and motivated delegates to pursue common interests and set aside provincial concerns • Dr. Barbara Goodman- Editing Chair – Worked tirelessly to see document through to publication

Safari so good—What’s next? • Reappointment of Steering members • Sponsoring organizations to discuss future of NCST process—food for thought: – Process for changes between Congresses? – Process for remote or proxy voting? – Promote more widespread use of the Specifications and Procedures?

New Website Coming Soon: www. NCSTonline. org

REMEMBER, IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE !!

ANY QUESTIONS?