Table of Contents

I.          Introduction

II.        Background

III.       The Issue of Seat Belts on Large School Buses

IV.       Studies

V.        Federal Guidance on Belts on Large Buses
            a.         NHTSA school bus research results
            b.         Agency recommended best practices 
            c.         Guidance on lap belts on large school buses

VI.       Proposed Upgrades to Occupant Crash Protection
            a.         Improving the compartmentalized school bus interior of both small and large school buses
            b.         Additional occupant protection requirements for small school buses (school buses with a GVWR of                         4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less) 
            c.         Additional occupant protection requirements for large school buses with voluntarily-installed                         lap/shoulder seat belts
            d.         Additional requirements for large school buses with voluntarily-installed lap belts

VII.     Quasi-static Test for Lap/Shoulder Belts on Small and Large School Buses
            a.         Stage 1: torso belt anchorage displacement
            b.         Stage 2: energy absorption capability of the seat back
            c.         Request for comments

VIII.    Lead Time

IX.       Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

X.        Public Participation