School Bus Seat Capacity
October 1999

Background:

School buses transport passengers in a wide range sizes (height and weight). Accordingly, it is not possible to define the absolute capacity of a school bus under all conditions. The typical school bus seat is 39 inches wide and generally is considered to have a maximum seating capacity of three. This capacity rating is not meant to be a measure of the absolute capacity of the school bus seat for all sizes of passengers. Rather, it is the "rated maximum capacity" as determined by the school bus body manufacturer and specified on the vehicle. This rated capacity is determined by dividing the width of the seat by the number "13," which represents the 12.8-inch hip breadth of a 5th percentile adult female test dummy as specified in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
[A 5th percentile adult female dummy is approximately 4-feet 11-inches tall and weighs 102 pounds.]

Discussion:

The 1995 National Conference on School Transportation discussed guidelines for school transportation operations which are designed to "ensure safe and efficient student transportation." For example, it is suggested that a local pupil transportation director route and schedule school buses "for safe, efficient and economical transportation service." An integral part of providing "safe" transportation in a school bus, or any other type motor vehicle, is that the passengers be properly seated. From a safety perspective, a person who is either standing or improperly seated in a school bus, or any other type of motor vehicle, is not afforded the benefits of the safety protection designed into the vehicle and is in increased jeopardy of injury in the event of a crash or extreme sudden driving maneuver.

Additionally, there must be sufficient space on the school bus seat for each passenger's body to be completely within the seat compartment. In the event of a crash or sudden driving maneuver, students that are not properly seated within the seat compartment, may not benefit from the passenger crash protection systems built into the school bus under Federal and State regulations.

In practice, school buses transport students of various sizes, typically from preschoolers to 12th graders. While a 39-inch seat may safely accommodate three preschoolers and/or primary school-aged children, it may not safely accommodate the same number of older children. Since the size of growing children varies, the number of pupils that can safely occupy a school bus seat also changes. Consequently, the "in use" capacity of a school bus varies depending on the size of the pupils transported. The use of a child safety seat for an infant or toddler, or special equipment needed for a child with disabilities, may further impact the "in-use" capacity of a school bus.

Page 2.

It is important to consider the size of the passengers on each school bus route when determining the "in-use" capacity of a school bus. It is recognized that at certain times, for example at the beginning of a school year, it may not be possible to know exactly how many students will arrive at the school bus stops on a route seeking transportation to
and from school. For that reason, there may be instances where overcrowding exists temporarily on some school buses. In such situations, efforts should be made to provide safe seating to all school bus passengers in a timely and efficient manner, so that during regular operations all passengers are safely seated.

Highway Safety Guideline #17, "Pupil Transportation Safety," as issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, states:

"(1) Standing while school buses and school-charter buses are in motion should not be permitted. Routing and seating plans should be coordinated so as to eliminate passengers standing when a school bus or school-charter bus is in motion.

(2) Due to variations in sizes of children of different ages, States and school districts should exercise judgment in deciding how many students are actually transported in a school bus or school-charter bus.

(3) There should be no auxiliary seating accommodations, such as temporary or folding jump seats in school buses."

Conclusions:

The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services believes all children riding in school buses, or other buses used to transport pupils to and from school or school-related activities, should be properly and safely seated facing forward. In addition, the State Directors Association believes there should be adequate space on the seat for the child to be seated completely within the seating compartment.

Accordingly, the State Directors Association believes States should establish guidelines for determining the "in-use" capacity of school buses and other buses used to transport pupils to and from school and school-related activities. The State Directors Association further believes States should enact legislation to prohibit standees during the regular operation of a school bus or other bus used to transport pupils to and from school or school-related activities.

Issued: October 1999

COPY; 1999 National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services. All rights reserved.