October, 2005

Charlie.Hood@fldoe.org

So what IS the 14th 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 15th to Thursday, May 19th, 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 A1 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

post-trip 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 LeMon– 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?

www.NCSTonline.org

New Website Coming Soon:

REMEMBER, IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE !!

ANY QUESTIONS?