Carroll County Public Schools Transportation Services

Carroll County Public Schools Carroll County Public Schools Transportation Services DepartmentTransportation Services Department

The mission of the Transportation Services The mission of the Transportation Services Department is to support the learning process by Department is to support the learning process by

providing safe, adequate, efficient, and economical providing safe, adequate, efficient, and economical transportation services for all students and comply transportation services for all students and comply

with Federal, State and Local policies and with Federal, State and Local policies and procedures.procedures.

School Bus Driver TrainingSchool Bus Driver Training•• The Transportation Services Department trains The Transportation Services Department trains

8080--100 new bus drivers each year 100 new bus drivers each year •• 50% of the drivers that enter training become 50% of the drivers that enter training become

certified CCPS bus driverscertified CCPS bus drivers•• PrePre--service requirements:service requirements:

•• Bus driver applicants must have a satisfactory Bus driver applicants must have a satisfactory driving historydriving history

•• All trainees are fingerprinted and subject to a All trainees are fingerprinted and subject to a criminal background check by Federal and State criminal background check by Federal and State agenciesagencies

•• Drivers must pass an extensive Federal Department Drivers must pass an extensive Federal Department of Transportation physicalof Transportation physical

•• Drivers are required to undergo preDrivers are required to undergo pre--employment employment drug testingdrug testing 2

School Bus DriverSchool Bus DriverPrePre--Service TrainingService Training

•• School bus drivers are provided 30 hours of preSchool bus drivers are provided 30 hours of pre--service training which includes:service training which includes:•• 15 hours of classroom training covering 15 hours of classroom training covering

Federal, State and Local laws, policies and Federal, State and Local laws, policies and procedures.Topics covered include (but not procedures.Topics covered include (but not limited to):limited to):

•• Student behavior management Student behavior management –– To develop To develop proactive strategiesproactive strategies

•• Bus evacuations Bus evacuations –– To be able to perform To be able to perform efficiently and orderly efficiently and orderly

•• Loading/Unloading students Loading/Unloading students ––To focus on To focus on monitoring the danger zonemonitoring the danger zone 3

School Bus DriverSchool Bus DriverPrePre--Service TrainingService Training

•• 15 hours of behind15 hours of behind--thethe--wheel training wheel training covering(but not limited to) the following skills:covering(but not limited to) the following skills:

•• Right and left parallel parking, bus dockingRight and left parallel parking, bus docking•• Proper mirror use and school light useProper mirror use and school light use•• Railroad and bridge crossing procedures Railroad and bridge crossing procedures

and air brake useand air brake use•• Accident training, defensive driving Accident training, defensive driving

techniques and pretechniques and pre--trip inspectiontrip inspection•• On road driving under the supervision of a On road driving under the supervision of a

driver instructordriver instructor4

Special Needs Driver and Assistant Special Needs Driver and Assistant PrePre--Service TrainingService Training

•• Must attend an additional 6 hours of preMust attend an additional 6 hours of pre--service classroom training covering (but not service classroom training covering (but not limited to):limited to):•• Identifying different types of disabilitiesIdentifying different types of disabilities•• Behavior management strategiesBehavior management strategies•• Learning how to help students expand on their Learning how to help students expand on their

independent lifestylesindependent lifestyles•• Securing adaptive equipment such as Securing adaptive equipment such as

wheelchairs, vests, and car seatswheelchairs, vests, and car seats•• Evacuation of special needs buses and studentsEvacuation of special needs buses and students

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School Bus DriverSchool Bus DriverMVA TestingMVA Testing

•• Once a driver has completed training, Once a driver has completed training, CCPS Driver Instructors administer an offCCPS Driver Instructors administer an off--site commercial driversite commercial driver’’s license MVA test.s license MVA test.

•• CCPS first public school system in CCPS first public school system in MD to be approved for this programMD to be approved for this program

•• CCPS was pilot for expansion to CCPS was pilot for expansion to other MD public school systemsother MD public school systems

•• Program is now in existence in other Program is now in existence in other MD public school systemsMD public school systems

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School Bus DriverSchool Bus DriverInIn--Service RequirementsService Requirements

•• To remain certified, CCPS drivers must do the To remain certified, CCPS drivers must do the following:following:•• Pass an annual Federal Department Of Pass an annual Federal Department Of

Transportation (DOT) physical Transportation (DOT) physical •• Participate in 6 hours of classroom training each Participate in 6 hours of classroom training each

year on topics related to school bus safetyyear on topics related to school bus safety•• Receive a satisfactory route observation report Receive a satisfactory route observation report

every two yearsevery two years•• Maintain a satisfactory driving recordMaintain a satisfactory driving record•• Participate in random, post accident and Participate in random, post accident and

reasonable suspicion drug and breath alcohol reasonable suspicion drug and breath alcohol testing programtesting program 7

Principles of Routing and Principles of Routing and SchedulingScheduling

•• SafetySafety-- The primary focus of routingThe primary focus of routing•• Bus stops and routes that do not Bus stops and routes that do not

jeopardize the safety of studentsjeopardize the safety of students•• AdequacyAdequacy-- Resources are adequate to Resources are adequate to

serve the student populationserve the student population•• Seats are available for all eligible Seats are available for all eligible

studentsstudents•• Buses arrive on time at bus stops and at Buses arrive on time at bus stops and at

schoolsschools8


•• EfficiencyEfficiency-- Routes are established to be as Routes are established to be as efficient as possibleefficient as possible

•• Routes are as direct and short as possibleRoutes are as direct and short as possible•• Deadhead (time and mileage on the route Deadhead (time and mileage on the route not transporting students) is minimizednot transporting students) is minimized

•• Layover time (time where buses are idle in Layover time (time where buses are idle in between runs) is minimizedbetween runs) is minimized

••Bus capacities are fully utilizedBus capacities are fully utilized

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•• EconomyEconomy-- Buses are utilized to the fullest Buses are utilized to the fullest extent possibleextent possible

•• School start times (School start times (tieringtiering) established by ) established by TSD to maximize resourcesTSD to maximize resources

•• Bus stops should be approximately 1/4 mile Bus stops should be approximately 1/4 mile apart (COMAR) to limit the number of bus apart (COMAR) to limit the number of bus stopsstops

••Contractors are assigned routes closest to Contractors are assigned routes closest to their garage locationtheir garage location

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Routing and SchedulingRouting and SchedulingTarget Capacity of CCPS BusesTarget Capacity of CCPS Buses

•• CCPS Target capacityCCPS Target capacity

•• High schoolHigh school 44 students44 students

•• Middle schoolMiddle school 51 students51 students

•• Elementary schoolElementary school 58 students58 students11

Routing and Scheduling Routing and Scheduling Data SourcesData Sources

•• Written route operation forms completed by Written route operation forms completed by bus driversbus drivers

•• Stop SheetsStop Sheets•• ManifestsManifests

•• Computerized mapping and routing programsComputerized mapping and routing programs•• Enrollment projectionsEnrollment projections•• Road network updates from Carroll County Road network updates from Carroll County

Roads DepartmentRoads Department•• New development updates from county and New development updates from county and

municipal government planning departmentsmunicipal government planning departments 12

Routing and SchedulingRouting and Scheduling

Route Operation Forms (Stop Sheets)Route Operation Forms (Stop Sheets)

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Routing and SchedulingRouting and Scheduling

Driver ManifestsDriver Manifests

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Bus Vehicle Bus Vehicle SafetySafety

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Fleet AcceptanceFleet Acceptance-- Transportation Services Transportation Services Administrators and Driver Administrators and Driver --InstructorsInstructors

School Bus Inspection Program School Bus Inspection Program --Transportation Services TeamTransportation Services Team

Annual MVA State Certification Inspection Annual MVA State Certification Inspection --Contractors and State Certified Repair FacilitiesContractors and State Certified Repair Facilities

Daily PreDaily Pre--trip Inspections trip Inspections –– DriversDrivers

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School Bus Inspection ProgramSchool Bus Inspection Program

All Buses In Fleet All Buses In Fleet (Contractor & (Contractor &

County Owned)County Owned)

Inspections In Inspections In Summer, Fall and Summer, Fall and

Spring for All BusesSpring for All Buses

Staged at Selected School Facilities Using 2 Staged at Selected School Facilities Using 2 Inspection Team LinesInspection Team Lines

Central Area Central Area –– Winters Mill HSWinters Mill HSSouthern Area Southern Area –– Century HSCentury HS

Western Area Western Area –– Francis Scott Key HSFrancis Scott Key HSNortheast Area Northeast Area –– Shiloh MSShiloh MS

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Each CCPS Inspection LineEach CCPS Inspection Line

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Records DetailsRecords Details

Communicates with Team and Communicates with Team and ContractorsContractors

Inspection Line LeaderInspection Line Leader

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Two Certified Professional MechanicsTwo Certified Professional Mechanics

Inspect Engine Inspect Engine CompartmentCompartment

Inspect Under Inspect Under CarriageCarriage

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Two Driver InspectorsTwo Driver InspectorsRunning Signal and Running Signal and

Light System Checks Light System Checks With Other With Other InspectorsInspectors

Testing Controls Testing Controls and and

Instrumentation Instrumentation 21

Two Interior/Exterior InspectorsTwo Interior/Exterior InspectorsInspects Emergency Inspects Emergency Kits For Required Kits For Required

ComponentsComponents

Checks Lights, Checks Lights, Emergency Exits, Emergency Exits,

Seats, etc.Seats, etc.22

Tire Inspector From A Tire Inspector From A Professional Tire ServiceProfessional Tire Service

Inspects Tread Depth, Inspects Tread Depth, Tire & Wheel Tire & Wheel Integrity and Integrity and

InflationInflation23

Has The Has The Authority to Authority to Issue State Issue State Citations Citations

and and Confiscate Confiscate

TagsTags

Adjunct Inspector from the Motor Adjunct Inspector from the Motor Vehicle AdministrationVehicle Administration

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Fire Extinguisher Service TechnicianFire Extinguisher Service Technician

Examines Examines Extinguishers, Extinguishers,

Updates Updates Inspection Tags Inspection Tags

And Services And Services Expired UnitsExpired Units

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SiteSite--Based Data Recorder and Record Based Data Recorder and Record MaintenanceMaintenance

Records Records Defects On Defects On Computer, Computer, Manages Manages Forms & Forms &

PaperworkPaperwork

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Inspection StandardsInspection Standards

Documented In The May 2005 Revision Of The Maryland Public School Inspection Manual

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Redline Citation Redline Citation –– Bus Forbidden Bus Forbidden To Transport Children Until Repair To Transport Children Until Repair Is Completed and ReIs Completed and Re--inspectedinspectedMVA Tag Removal/Confiscation MVA Tag Removal/Confiscation ––Must Be Must Be ReinspectedReinspected By MVABy MVA

Passing Passing –– No Defects FoundNo Defects Found

3030--Day Citation Day Citation –– Minor Defects Minor Defects (i.e., Torn Seats, Clearance Lights) (i.e., Torn Seats, Clearance Lights) Contractors Report Appropriate Contractors Report Appropriate Repair Within 30 DaysRepair Within 30 Days

Individual Individual Bus Results:Bus Results:

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Inspection Results Are Recorded On Individual Inspection Results Are Recorded On Individual Inspection Form, Spreadsheet, Compiled Inspection Form, Spreadsheet, Compiled and Reviewed Following Each Inspectionand Reviewed Following Each Inspection

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Special Needs TransportationSpecial Needs Transportation

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•• 853 students riding special needs buses 853 students riding special needs buses as of 4/1/06as of 4/1/06

•• 58 schools serviced (21 out58 schools serviced (21 out--ofof--county)county)

•• 65 total special needs bus routes65 total special needs bus routes

•• 1,748,061 miles annually1,748,061 miles annually

•• $5,251 average cost per student$5,251 average cost per student

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•• Cost ($) is 10X higher for special needs bus Cost ($) is 10X higher for special needs bus routes versus regular education bus routesroutes versus regular education bus routes

•• Same side, Same side, ““curbcurb--toto--curbcurb”” serviceservice•• Longer bus routesLonger bus routes•• Longer student loading/ unloading timeLonger student loading/ unloading time•• Bus assistant on every special needs busBus assistant on every special needs bus•• OutOut--ofof--county placementscounty placements•• Additional equipmentAdditional equipment

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Special Needs Transportation Special Needs Transportation OutOut--ofof--CountyCounty

•• Cost = $ 100,000/ bus per yearCost = $ 100,000/ bus per year•• 1212-- year airyear air--conditioned bid buses beginning in SY conditioned bid buses beginning in SY

20042004--20052005•• 109 students transported to non109 students transported to non--public schools + Md. public schools + Md.

School for the Blind and Md. School for the Deaf School for the Blind and Md. School for the Deaf (Columbia + Frederick)(Columbia + Frederick)

•• Now transporting to 21 outNow transporting to 21 out--ofof--county school locations county school locations •• Average student ride time 2.5 times that of Average student ride time 2.5 times that of ““inin--countycounty””

special education bus routesspecial education bus routes•• 11 and 12 month programs lasting up to 214 days 11 and 12 month programs lasting up to 214 days •• Increasing number of nonIncreasing number of non--public school locations public school locations •• Increasing number of students placed outside Increasing number of students placed outside

Carroll CountyCarroll County 33

Special Needs TransportationSpecial Needs TransportationPrePre--Kindergarten (Formerly EEEP)Kindergarten (Formerly EEEP)

•• 180 students transported daily180 students transported daily

•• Programs now at seven (7) schoolsPrograms now at seven (7) schools

•• 13 bus routes13 bus routes

•• Special education + Gateway buses used Special education + Gateway buses used to reduce costto reduce cost

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CCPS Transportation Services CCPS Transportation Services Department ChallengesDepartment Challenges

•• Driver shortageDriver shortage•• High fuel costsHigh fuel costs•• Increased trafficIncreased traffic--gridlockgridlock•• Increased time and mileageIncreased time and mileage•• Increased cost of buses/equipmentIncreased cost of buses/equipment•• Increased cost of routing and schedulingIncreased cost of routing and scheduling•• Student ride timesStudent ride times•• New programs during and after schoolNew programs during and after school•• New driver requirements New driver requirements •• Federal and State RegulationsFederal and State Regulations 35

CCPS Transportation Services CCPS Transportation Services Department Department -- Next StepsNext Steps

••Work collaboratively with ContractorWork collaboratively with Contractor’’s Association s Association to address driver shortage to address driver shortage

••Continue to evaluate routing and scheduling to Continue to evaluate routing and scheduling to reduce time and mileagereduce time and mileage

••Continue to work with County Government staff toContinue to work with County Government staff tomonitor projected population growth by specificmonitor projected population growth by specificareasareas

••Continue to monitor fuel costs and promote Continue to monitor fuel costs and promote alternate fuelsalternate fuels

••Continue to reduce ride timesContinue to reduce ride times-- especially on outespecially on out--ofof--county routescounty routes

••Continue to work with staff to provide special Continue to work with staff to provide special education programs within Carroll Countyeducation programs within Carroll County

••Continue to adhere to Federal and State regulationsContinue to adhere to Federal and State regulations 36


Thank you to all of our regular Thank you to all of our regular education and special needs bus education and special needs bus

drivers and assistants!drivers and assistants!

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Documents

Carroll County Public Schools Transportation Services