Section 448.10  Purpose

 

The purpose of this Part is to permit school districts to test pilot school bus safety equipment not otherwise prohibited by Department regulations.

 

Section 448.20  Request to Test Pilot

 

a)         All requests to test pilot safety equipment shall be submitted to the Department at the following address:

 

Illinois Department of Transportation

Bureau of Investigations and Compliance

Attn:  Bureau Chief

2300 S. Dirksen Parkway

Springfield, Illinois  62764

 

b)         Only requests submitted by a school district will be considered.

 

c)         Requests shall:

 

1)         Identify, with specificity, the equipment to be tested;

 

2)         Identify the VIN and manufacturer of the chassis and body of each bus in which the equipment will be installed;

 

3)         Identify the bus routes where the equipment will be tested;

 

4)         Include any known crash tests or safety studies related to the equipment;

 

5)         Include a statement or certification from the manufacturer that the equipment meets or exceeds all applicable federal regulations or safety standards;

 

6)         Identify the method in which data will be collected during the test pilot period; and

 

7)         Include the anticipated start date of the test pilot.

 

d)         The Department will respond to all requests within 30 days.

 

e)         Requests will be denied if:

 

1)       The application is incomplete;

 

2)       The equipment is prohibited by State or federal laws/regulations;

 

3)       The same or similar equipment is being tested, or has previously been tested, by another school district, unless the Department determines there is a need for testing by additional school districts; or

 

4)       The equipment presents a safety hazard.

 

f)         Approval

 

1)         If a request is not denied under subsection (e), the Department will issue an approval letter.

 

2)         The approval letter will identify the data required to be collected by the school district.

 

3)         The Department may condition the use of the equipment by:

 

A)        limiting the road configurations where the equipment may be used;

 

B)        limiting the number of buses;

 

C)        requiring the disablement or removal of other equipment the Department deems incompatible; and/or

 

D)        restricting its use in construction and maintenance zones;

 

4)         A copy of the approval letter shall be kept with the school bus and presented to Department personnel or Certified Safety Testers when the bus is presented for inspection.

 

5)         The school district is responsible for all costs associated with participating in in a test pilot under this Part. Approval to participate in a test pilot program does not guarantee the Department's final approval of the equipment.

 

Section 448.30  Test Pilot Period

 

a)         The Department and school district shall agree to the actual start date of the test pilot.

 

b)         The initial pilot period shall be 90 days and may be extended by the Department if further testing is warranted.  The initial period may also be extended at the written request of the school district for good cause shown.

 

c)         The school district is responsible for training its drivers in the proper use of the equipment.

 

d)         The school district is responsible for the installation and maintenance of the equipment and shall assume all liability resulting from its use or misuse. 

 

e)         The school district shall immediately notify the Department in the event a bus is involved in any incident involving personal injury or property damage.

 

f)         During the test pilot, the school district shall track the data required under Section 448.20(f)(2) using a method approved by the Department.

 

g)         Equipment shall not be transferred to other buses without the prior written approval of the Department and for good cause shown.

 

h)         Records created or maintained by the school district for the purpose of the test pilot program shall be made available for inspection by the Department upon request.

 

i)          For good cause, the Department may suspend or terminate the test pilot.

 

Section 448.40  Test Pilot Results

 

a)         Within 30 days after the conclusion of the test pilot period, the school district shall provide the Department all documents and records created or used during the test pilot.

 

b)         All records submitted to the Department will be utilized in formulating the Department's policy decision regarding the final implementation of the equipment.

 

c)         The Department may rely on additional sources in reaching its policy decision (e.g., Opinions of safety engineers, guidance provided by state or federal agencies, public comment, etc.).

 

d)         The Department will make public its policy decision and amend its regulations as necessary.