Ask any college student attending a university in the Northeast or Midwest, and one will discover that in the world of frigid-winter academia, there is nothing worse than just missing the campus shuttle bus in 12-degree weather. Today, however, students at a handful of colleges can stay warm and cozy inside their dorm rooms while they track the…

This literature review addresses three specific safety issues: installing seat belts in new buses, retrofitting existing buses with seat belts, and comparing seat belts with other safety features. While inconclusive evidence is provided concerning the first issue, studies do suggest retiring older buses and possibly equipping buses that meet PL…

This report summarizes the deliberations and recommendations of Minnesota's School Bus Safety Advisory Committee (SBSAC). The committee, which operates under the auspices of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, is charged to study issues affecting the safety of students on school buses, arrive at consensus on ways to improve student safety…

Discusses aspects of rural transportation for exceptional students: (1) federal requirements; (2) specialized equipment needs; (3) safety concerns; and (4) training needs of drivers and attendants concerning student characteristics, behavior management, district disciplinary policy, communication with parents, loading and unloading procedures,…

By initially demonstrating that rising energy costs are threatening to force educational decision-makers to curtail educational programs, this paper suggests a number of energy-saving options for school administrators and presents a case study of energy conservation. Suggestions concerning energy conservation in school facilities are drawn from…

Argues persuasively for providing preservice and inservice training programs to bus drivers and attendants transporting exceptional children. Such programs can upgrade the quality of services, including first aid, emergency evacuation procedures, and coordination with teachers, families, and school nurses. (MLH)

Since the passage of PL 94-142 in 1976 (providing for handicapped students' free transportation to and from school) and an influx of disabled students, the pupil transportation industry has been reexamining its safety measures. A newly formed national committee is working on equipment and impact speed safety criteria. (MLH)

Besides redistricting problems engendered by higher elementary school enrollments (and decreasing secondary enrollments), school administrators face student transport challenges. Acquiring new routes and larger buses could be costly. This article advances computerized systems as the most cost-effective way to optimize routes and manage…

The state of Oklahoma recently published a school bus driver manual on transporting handicapped students. Yearly inservice training sessions are recommended to teach school bus drivers communication skills, use of special equipment for physically handicapped students, and preparation for emergencies. (MLF)

Discusses management issues surrounding school busing operations within the context of tightening budgets while simultaneously serving the growing number of students with special needs. The debate on bus use for advertising is highlighted. (GR)

Management of bus fleet maintenance requires systematic recordkeeping, management reporting, and work scheduling procedures. Tools for controlling and monitoring routine maintenance activities are in common use. These include defect and fluid consumption reports, work order systems, historical maintenance records, and performance and cost…

The state of Washington is moving towards the assumption of the full costs of public school student transportation. This move has increased interest at the state level in transportation costs originating at the local district level. These costs have been relatively high in the Seattle school district, complicated by the city's geographic and…

Discusses the growing use of vans for transportation by child care centers and increasing concerns about van safety. Presents information on relevant federal legislation related to motor vehicle safety and the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Recommends that child care programs replace retiring vans with…

Discusses problems school transportation administrators face in managing the transportation of special needs students. These include finding part-time, low paid drivers and attendants, managing equipment not approved for buses, training drivers to handle medically fragile and emotionally disabled children, and dealing with federal and state…

Examines the legal, administrative, and logistical barriers that have prevented the wide acceptance of coordinating community and school transportation services and why these barriers may be breaking down. Two examples of successful implementation of coordinated transportation are examined: employing a single system to serve all transportation…