Nebraska Administrative Code › Topic - EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF › Title 92 - NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › Chapter 92 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE MINIMUM EQUIPMENT STANDARDS AND SAFETY INSPECTION CRITERIA FOR PUPIL TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES › Section 92-92-007 - Additional Required Equipment For Vehicles Used With Mobile Seating Devices

Current through June 17, 2024
007.01
General Requirements
. Pupil transportation vehicles
				designed for transporting children with special transportation needs shall
				comply with National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures and
				with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) applicable to their Gross
				Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) category. In addition, any pupil transportation
				vehicle to be used for the transportation of children who are confined to a
				wheelchair or other mobile positioning device, or who require life support
				equipment which prohibits use of the regular service entrance, shall be
				equipped with a power lift, unless a ramp is needed for unusual circumstances
				related to passenger needs.
007.02
Emergency Exit
. All school and activity buses equipped
				with a power lift shall provide a 30-inch aisle leading from any
				wheelchair/mobility aid position to at least one emergency door. A wheelchair
				securement position shall never be located directly in front of a power lift
				door location. When provided, the lift service door is considered an emergency
				exit.
007.03
Communications
. All pupil transportation vehicles
				which are used to transport individuals with disabilities shall be equipped
				with a two way electronic voice communication system which can be used at any
				point in the vehicles' route. This system may be after market
				provided.
007.04
Glazing
. Tinted glazing may be installed in all doors,
				windows, and windshields consistent with federal, state, and local
				regulations.
007.05
Identification
. Vehicles with power lifts used for
				transporting individuals with disabilities shall display the International
				Symbol of Accessibility below the window line. Such emblems shall be white on
				blue background, shall not exceed 12 inches in size, and shall be of a
				high-intensity reflectorized material meeting Federal Highway Administration
				(FHWA) FP-85 Standards.
007.06
Passenger Capacity Rating
. In determining the
				passenger capacity of a school transportation vehicle for purposes other than
				actual passenger load (i.e., vehicle classification, or various
				billing/reimbursement models), any location in a vehicle intended for
				securement of an occupied wheelchair/mobility aid during vehicle operations may
				be regarded as four designated seating positions. Similarly, each lift area may
				be regarded as four designated seating positions. (Small vehicles are exempt.)
				(See Appendix J for Wheelchair or Mobility and Envelope diagram.)
007.07
Power Lifts and
				Ramps
. On all vehicles other than small vehicles, power lift shall
				be located on the right side of the vehicle body when not extended. The lift
				may be located on the left side of the bus if used to deliver individuals to
				the left side of one way streets.
007.07A All
				vehicles covered by this specification shall provide a level-change mechanism
				or boarding device (e.g., lift or ramp). which comply with the requirements set
				forth in FMVSS 403,
Platform Lift Systems for Motor Vehicles
,
				and FMVSS 404,
Platform Lift Installations in Motor
				Vehicles
.
007.07B
Vehicle Lift
. The design load of the lift shall be at
				least 800 pounds. Working parts, such as cables, pulleys, and shafts, which can
				be expected to wear, and upon which the lift depends for support of the load,
				shall have a safety factor of at least six, based on the ultimate strength of
				the material. Nonworking parts, such as platform, frame, and attachment
				hardware which would not be expected to wear, shall have a safety factor of at
				least three, based on the ultimate strength of the material.
007.07C
Lift
				Capacity
. The lifting mechanism and platform shall be able to
				operate effectively with a wheelchair and occupant mass of at least 800
				pounds.
007.07D
Lift
				Controls
. (See 49 CFR 571.402, S 6.7,
Control
				Systems)
007.07E
Emergency Operation
. (See
				49 CFR
				571.403, S 6.9,
Backup
				Operation
)
007.07F
Power or Equipment Failure
. (See
				49 CFR
				571.403, S 6.2.2
Maximum Platform
				Velocity
).
007.07G
Platform Barriers
. (See
				49 CFR
				571.403, S 6.4.7,
Wheelchair
				Retention
).
007.07H
Platform Surface
. (See
				49 CFR
				571.403,, S 6.4.2, S 6.4.3,
Platform
				Requirements
).
007.07I
Platform Gaps
. (See
				49 CFR
				571.403, S 6.4.4,
Gaps, Transitions
				and Openings
).
007.07J
Platform Deflection
. (See
				49 CFR
				571.403, S 6.4.5,
Platform
				Deflection
).
007.07K
Platform Movement
. (See
				49 CFR
				571.403, S 6.4.5
Maximum Platform
				Acceleration
).
007.07L
Boarding Direction
. The lift shall permit both inboard
				and outboard facing of wheelchair and mobility aid users.
007.07M
Use by
				Standees
. Lifts shall be capable of accommodating persons using
				walkers, crutches, cane or braces, or who otherwise have difficulty using
				steps. The platform may be marked to indicate a preferred standing
				position.
007.07N
Handrails
. (See
				49 CFR
				571.403, S 6.4.9,
Handrails
).
007.07O
Circuit
				Breaker
. A resetable circuit breaker shall be installed between
				power source and lift motor if electrical power is used. It shall be located as
				close to the power source as possible, but not within the passenger/driver
				compartment.
007.07P
Excessive Pressure
. (See
				49 CFR
				571.403, S 6.8,
Jacking
				Prevention
).
007.07Q
Documentation
. The following information shall be
				provided with each vehicle equipped with a lift.
007.07Q1 A phone number where information can
				be obtained about installation, repair, and parts. (Detailed written
				instructions and a parts list shall be available upon request.)
007.07Q2 Detailed instructions regarding use
				of the lift are readily visible when the lift door is open, including a diagram
				showing the proper placement and positioning of wheelchair/mobility aids on
				lift.
007.07R
Training Materials
. The lift manufacturer shall make
				available training materials to ensure the proper use and maintenance of the
				lift. These may include instructional videos, classroom curriculum, system test
				results, or other related materials.
007.07S
Identification and
				Certification
. Each lift shall be permanently and legibly marked
				or incorporate a non-removable label or tag which states that it conforms to
				all applicable requirements of the National School Transportation
				Specifications & Procedures. In addition, the lift manufacturer, or an
				authorized representative, upon request of the original titled purchaser, shall
				provide a notarized Certificate of Conformance, either original or photo
				copied, which states that the lift system meets all the applicable requirements
				of the National School Transportation Specifications &
				Procedures.
007.07T
Vehicle Ramp
.
007.07T1 If a ramp is used, it shall be of
				sufficient strength and rigidity to support the special device, occupant, and
				attendant(s). It shall be equipped with a protective flange on each
				longitudinal side to keep special device on the ramp.
007.07T2 Floor of ramp shall be of non-skid
				material.
007.07T3 Ramp shall be
				equipped with handles and be of weight and design to permit one (1) person to
				put ramp in place and return it to its storage place.
007.07T4 Ramps installed in raised floor
				buses by manufacturers may be used for emergency evacuation purposes. They
				shall not be used as a substitute for a lift when a lift is capable of
				servicing the need.