Wisconsin Legislature: subch. III of ch. Trans 300

(a) “ANS Z26.1” means the standards for glazing in land vehicles adopted by reference in s. Trans 300.20 (1) (k), under 49 CFR part 571, motor vehicle safety standard 205, glazing materials.

(b) “AS 1” to “AS 11” have the same meaning as in section 6 of ANS Z26.1.

1. Complies with tests 10, 13, 16, 17, 21, and 24 of ANS Z26.1.

2. Complies with tests 19 and 20 of ANS Z26.1 with the exception of the test for resistance to undiluted denatured alcohol.

3. In new buses or in replacement glazing has affixed a manufacturer’s label specifying instructions and agents for cleaning the glazing that will minimize the loss of transparency.

(d) “AS 13” means a safety plastic material that includes all of the following:

1. Complies with tests 16, 22 and either 23 or 24 of ANS Z26.1.

2. Complies with tests 19 and 20 of ANS Z26.1 with the exception of the test for resistance to undiluted denatured alcohol.

3. In new buses or in replacement glazing has affixed a manufacturer’s label specifying instructions and agents for cleaning the glazing that will minimize the loss of transparency.

(2) The glazing in windows to the right and left of the driver shall be identified by the designation AS 1 or AS 2. The rearmost windows shall be designated AS 1, AS 2, AS 4 or AS 5, except that the lower glazed portion of the emergency door may be designated AS 8. Any other side push-out or kick-out windows may be identified with glazing designated as AS 1, AS 2, AS 3, AS 4, AS 5, AS 12, or AS 13.

(3) On type A–I, B, C or D buses, the window to the driver’s immediate left and the window immediately to the rear of the service door shall be of insulated glass or of a thermo electric design that performs at least as well as insulated glass. Exceptions are cutaway van based vehicles manufactured in 2 stages equipped with a driver’s door and a roll–up window. If a lift and lift door are located immediately to the rear of the service door, the window in the lift door is not required to meet this requirement. The window to the rear of the lift door may be glazing applicable to other windows.

(4) Each full side window shall provide a vertical opening of at least 9 inches, obtained by lowering the top portion of the window. The driver’s window may be of a sliding forward and rearward construction. A type A-II bus having windows which do not open from the top shall have no more than a 5-inch wide opening.

(5) All windows shall operate freely. The side window latches shall be capable of holding the window securely in place in all positions.

(6) All exposed edges shall be banded or ground.

(7) A distinctive audible signal automatically operated shall clearly indicate to the driver the unlatching of an emergency window when the ignition is in the “on” position. A cut-off may not be installed in the circuit.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (1) (a), (c) 3., (d) 3., (2), (3), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (1) (c) (intro.), 1., 2., (d) (intro.), 1., 2., (3), (4) and (7), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; CR 03-116: am. (3) Register April 2004 No. 580, eff. 5-1-04.

Trans 300.70 Windshield.

(1) The glass in the windshield shall be laminated safety glass identified by the designation AS 1. This mark shall be visible and legible. The glass shall be of such quality as to prevent distortion of view in any direction.

(2) The windshield may not be obstructed.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (2), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.

Trans 300.71 Windshield washer.

(1) Each school bus shall be equipped with an operational windshield washer system that provides fluid for the windshield wipers to effectively clean the windshield.

(2) The washer shall be maintained and operational.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83.

Trans 300.72 Windshield wipers. Every school bus shall be equipped with 2 complete and operational windshield wipers. The system shall have at least 2 speeds.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83.

Trans 300.73 Wiring. All circuits of the bus shall be protected by a circuit breaker, field effect transistors, or fuse of sufficient rating to handle the current load.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; CR 03-116: am. Register April 2004 No. 580, eff. 5-1-04.

Subchapter III—Special Additional Requirements

Trans 300.75 Special service opening.

(1) Every school bus used for transporting persons in wheelchairs shall have an enclosed door opening located on the right side of the vehicle which will permit the use of a ramp or lift.

(2) The door of the special opening shall be equipped with a device to hold it open.

(3) Each door shall have a window.

(4) The opening shall be equipped with material which seals out dirt, water, and fumes.

(5) There shall be a light which illuminates the platform and the area outside the opening.

(6) A drip molding shall be installed to effectively divert water from the opening.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (6), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95.

Trans 300.76 Power lift or ramps.

(1) Every school bus transporting persons in wheelchairs shall be equipped with either a power lift or ramp which utilizes the special service opening specified in s. Trans 300.75.

(2) If a school bus uses a ramp it shall have a nonslip material on the surface or may have a metal nonslip surface construction. The ramp shall be in a secured position while the bus is in motion. The ramp shall be at least 30 inches wide on the surface.

(3) A power lift may be of varying design and operation. A lift may be designed to cause only minor vehicle design change other than for the special service opening, or a different design lift may be built to raise or lower through the floor of the vehicle. Each of these designs shall have a minimum lifting capacity of 700 pounds. A label stating that the lift meets this requirement shall be either permanently affixed to the power lift in a visible location or the information may be permanently stamped in a visible location.

(4) The power source and mechanism of the lift shall be enclosed.

(5) The platform of the power lift shall be covered with nonslip material or it may be of nonslip construction. The surface shall be at least 30 inches wide.

(6) Every platform of a power lift shall be designed and constructed to prevent any movement when it is in the stored position. This requirement may be met by either a mechanical locking device or by the internal design of the lift.

(7) The power lift shall be so designed that the operator has positive control to move, stop, or reverse the lift travel at will. In addition, the lift shall be controlled by a limit switch or by-pass valve which will immediately stop the direction of travel upon contact with the ground or a foreign object.

(8) The power lift shall be so designed that the platform does not fall in the event of a power failure.

(9) The platform shall have a device on the curb side to prevent any wheelchair from rolling off when the lift is in any horizontal position other than at ground level.

(10) The power lift shall be designed to prevent the operator or the person being transported from becoming entangled or crushed during the lift operation.

(11) When in the stored position, every power lift or ramp and its associated super structure shall have all exposed sharp edges, corners, and projecting parts padded to prevent injury in the event of contact in an accident. This requirement does not apply to the platform surface but shall apply to the sides of the platform if they are exposed and not concealed by a padded super structure or a padded barrier.

(12) If the lift does not include a padded super structure, the top of the door opening shall be covered with padding at least 2 inches high the entire width of the door opening.

(13) The lift control shall be interlocked with the vehicle brakes, transmission or door, or shall provide other appropriate mechanisms or systems, to ensure that the vehicle cannot be moved when the lift is not stowed and so the lift cannot be deployed unless the interlocks or systems are engaged.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (1), (3), (11), cr. (12), (13), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (11), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.

Trans 300.77 Wheelchair fasteners.

(1) Each wheelchair shall be secured to the bus with a fastening device with sufficient strength to:

(a) Retain the chair in the event the bus overturns.

(b) Prevent the chair from moving.

(2) The fastening device may be either a metal locking unit that secures the wheelchair to the wall or floor or a webbing belt system that accomplishes the same purpose.

(3) No wheelchair may be attached to any door.

(4) A webbing belt system shall be secured to the bus at not less than 2 points. It shall be anchored in the bus frame, body posts or other metal structure. Interior paneling is not considered an adequate anchorage.

(5) A webbing belt used to secure the wheelchair to the body frame may not be used to also secure the passenger to the wheelchair.

(6) School buses manufactured and placed in operation after January 17, 1994, and transporting passengers in wheel chairs shall comply with FMVSS 222, school bus seating and crash protection. The wheel chairs shall be secured in the following manner:

(a) In a forward facing position.

(b) By wheel chair securement devices at 2 locations in the front and 2 locations in the rear.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; cr. (6), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (4) and (5), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.

Trans 300.78 Seats and restraints.

(1) Seat frames may be equipped to accept seat belts or other types of restraints.

(2) Every occupant shall be secured to the wheelchair while being transported. This securement shall be separate and in addition to that required in s. Trans 300.77.

(3) Aisle-facing seats in buses transporting wheelchairs are permitted only over the wheel housing provided they are equipped with a device to prevent a passenger from sliding off either end. These seats shall be permanently mounted and may not have a retractable seating surface.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (3), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (3), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.

Trans 300.79 Communications. Every school bus used to transport students in special education or students with disabilities shall comply with the communication requirements found in s. Trans 301.14.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; CR 22-048: am. Register July 2023 No. 811, eff. 8-1-23.

Trans 300.80 Optional equipment. A school bus owner or operator shall use the following procedure to obtain authorization for equipment that is not specifically authorized by this chapter:

(1) Submit an authorization request for equipment installation to the administrator, division of state patrol, P.O. Box 7912, Madison, Wisconsin, 53707-7912.

(2) Equipment installation may only proceed following receipt of a letter of authorization from the administrator, or designee, of the division of state patrol.

(3) Provide for inspection of the vehicle and equipment if necessary.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95.

Trans 300.81 Authorized optional equipment. The following equipment is approved:

(1) Public address system. A school bus may be equipped with a permanently mounted public address system that allows the driver to communicate directions by voice to students outside the bus. Mounting of any external speakers may not interfere with driver visibility, mirrors or outside lights. Speakers may be mounted under the hood.

(2) Wide angle rear view lens. A school bus may be equipped with a wide angle rear view lens mounted on the upper window of the emergency door. The lens may not cover more than 220 square inches. The lens shall be centered on the window and shall be permanently attached.

(3) Restroom. A restroom facility may be installed at the rearmost section of a school bus. Installation shall meet all statutes and rules related to such installation. The following conditions shall also apply:

(a) The restroom door shall be locked during pupil transportation.

(b) All walls shall be constructed of rigid material.

(d) There may be no sharp edges or protrusions.

(4) Back-up alarm. A school bus may be equipped with a back-up alarm system manufactured in accordance with any federal or state specifications.

(5) Air conditioning units. A school bus may be equipped with air conditioning systems. The system shall be approved by the Wisconsin division of state patrol prior to installation.