8600B - TRANSPORTATION ROUTE PLANNING CRITERIA

Southern Local School District

Administrative Guidelines

8600B - TRANSPORTATION ROUTE PLANNING CRITERIA

The following information is to be used in the preparation, implementation, and review of all District routes.

General Criteria

The following criteria are generally accepted by the school bus industry as the basis for an effective routing system. The criteria are generally, but not limited to, the following:

	A.	minimizing the number of road hazards; e.g., steep hills, dangerous approaches to intersections, railroad crossings, narrow bridges, sharp curves, crowns of hills and obstructions to visibility.
	B.	ensure that necessary "turn-arounds" are safe and suitable in all weather conditions.
	C.	load and discharge students when possible at points from which they need not cross main thoroughfares in order to reach their homes.
	D.	plan routes so that most children do not have to ride in excess of a one (1) hour on the way to or from school.
	E.	consider the number of stops to be made on each route; e.g., a short route with many stops may take as much time as a long route with few stops.
	F.	minimize stops on hills of appreciable grade; when necessary, the stop should be made as the bus is traveling down hill. Such stops should be made at a pull-off area or an area posted with a School Bus Safety sign.
	G.	avoid duplication and unnecessary mileage.
	H.	minimize the number of buses in use at any one time.
	I.	provide a reasonable student load on each bus. It is desirable that each passenger be provided with a seat; however, this is not always possible due to a number of reasons, e.g., bulky clothing, musical instruments, etc. The maximum student capacity will not exceed ten percent (10%) of the rated seating.
	J.	equitably and consistently apply the policy governing minimum and maximum distances over which children will be transported.
	K.	maintain a degree of flexibility for unforeseen circumstances.