School Bus Fleet, Factbook December 2020

21 glossary FACT BOOK 2021 SCHOOL BUS FLEET Ozone A pollutant formed from nitrogen oxides NOx hydrocarbons and sunlight This gas has an irritating odor is poisonous and is used as an oxidizing agent for bleaching p PA system A public address system that allows the driver of a bus to communicate with persons inside and or outside the bus through a speaker installed on the inside and or outside of the bus also known as external loudspeaker parallel restraint system A system in which the occupant restraint lap belt anchors directly to the floor track or plates and that is independent of the wheelchair mobility aid securement system Paratransit Public transit service that is more flexible than a fixed route system commonly providing special service for elderly and disabled passengers Part B Refers to the section of IDEA 20 USC 1400 et seq applicable to special education and related services for children with disabilities and to the implementing regulations at 34 CFR 300 Part HC Refers to the section of IDEA related to early intervention services for infants and toddlers and to the implementing regulations at 34 CFR 303 Formerly referred to as Part H particulates Small solid particles soot etc formed by engine combustion Visible particulates are seen in smoke however invisible particles may be present in smokeless exhaust particulate trap An exhaust treatment device used to collect trap and periodically burn off particulates and other potential problem emission gases formed in engine exhaust See also DPF passenger A person who rides in a school bus but does not operate it See also occupant passenger compartment Space within the school bus interior measured from a point 30 inches ahead of the forward most passenger seating reference point SRP rearward to the inside surface of the rear end of the bus at the center of the rear emergency exit passenger endorsement A designation P on a CDL that indicates the driver is qualified to drive a commercial passenger vehicle Must accompany an S School endorsement passenger miles The total number of miles traveled by the aggregate number of passengers on a vehicle Example Two students traveling 4 miles would equal 8 passenger miles and five students traveling 3 miles would equal 15 passenger miles totaling 23 passenger miles performance based procurement Competitive procedure in which contracts are awarded based on a combination of price and past performance also known as Best Value Procurement P L 94 142 See EHA positive locking A design feature of the mobility aid securement and occupant restraint system where the attachment and anchoring hardware cannot be inadvertently released or disengaged once properly installed post trip interior inspection A check of the interior of the bus by the driver at the end of the run to ensure that no children or student belongings have been left behind postural support A seat belt or other component used to support a child with disabilities in a desired position but not designed or intended to provide occupant restraint in a crash also known as positioning device power base A powered wheeled platform used to mount a seating device for carrying an individual with a disability usually characterized by smaller diameter tires power cut off switch A device that cancels all power from the vehicle batteries power lift A mechanized platform designed to provide access to a vehicle for an occupied mobility aid wheelchair also known as a wheelchair lift powertrain The group of components used to transmit engine power to the wheels includes engine transmission universal joints driveshaft drive axles and gears also known as drivetrain preschool Refers to a child between the ages of 3 and 5 years who is not yet in kindergarten or to a program serving children in that age range pre trip inspection A systematic inspection of the bus by the driver before every trip or shift to ensure that the bus is in safe operating condition The same procedure performed after the trip shift is the post trip inspection privatization The process of transferring the operation of public services from the public agencies to private companies or nonprofit organizations also known as contracting or outsourcing pupil See student pusher A school bus in which the engine is mounted in the rear of the vehicle also known as rear engine bus See also Type D under bus pushout window A bus window that is hinged at the top or front to enable the window to be swung upward or outward relative to the side of the bus and to provide a means of emergency egress from the bus also known as emergency window r railroad crossing The intersection of a highway street or roadway and railroad tracks also known as grade crossing reflective Refers to the property of materials that causes them when they are illuminated to reflect the light to some extent reformulated gasoline Also known as oxygenated gasoline Has oxygen added to improve combustion and reduce emissions related services Transportation and other supportive services that are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education remanufactured Refers to a vehicle component that has been structurally restored repower installation A dedicated natural gas or other engine which was not part of the original chassis at the time of manufacturing RESNA Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America an organization engaged in research and development of assistive technology for persons with disabilities restraining barrier An assembly similar to a seat back located immediately in front of a single school bus passenger seat or row of seats to provide crash protection in accordance with FMVSS No 222 also known as barrier crash barrier and seat barrier restraint system A generic term for devices intended to secure and protect a passenger with or without a mobility aid in a vehicle including lap belts lap shoulder belts child safety seats safety vests etc retractor automatic locking A retractor incorporating adjustment by means of a positive self locking mechanism that is capable of withstanding restraint forces retractor emergency locking A retractor that incorporates adjustment by means of a locking mechanism that is activated by vehicle acceleration webbing movement relative to the vehicle or automatic action during an emergency and that is capable of withstanding restraint forces retroreflective Refers to material that is designed to direct light back to its source RFID Radio Frequency Identification Use of electromagnetic fields to capture and transfer data RFP Request For Proposals an invitation to submit a contract proposal less restrictive than an invitation to bid on a contract ridership The number of passengers using a transportation system during a given time period right Right position is determined from the normal driving position as seated in the drivers seat looking in the forward direction of travel rim The part of the wheel on which the tire is mounted and supported risk management Practices and procedures designed to protect against losses from accidents passenger and worker injuries vehicle damage and other losses and to reduce insurance costs rolling stock The vehicles in a transportation system roof hatch See emergency roof exit route A designated course regularly traveled by a school bus to pick up students and take them to school or to deliver students from school to their homes or designated bus stops route miles The total number of miles in one or more routes in the system route sheet A list of all the designated stops on a route run A complete trip on a route To illustrate the difference between a run and a route It is possible to have six daily runs on the same route i e one high school one middle school and one elementary run in both morning and afternoon