Routing, Scheduling & Communication Systems Flashcards

A route has students living along a busy four-lane highway with no sidewalks. What is the best way to handle the stop?

Answer: Pick students up on their own side of the road so they do not cross

Picking students up on their own side of a multi-lane road keeps them from crossing traffic, the riskiest part of the trip.

In many districts, 'hazardous walking conditions' can qualify students for busing even when they live inside the walk zone. What does this mean?

Answer: Unsafe walking routes can make nearby students eligible to ride

Many states let or pay districts to bus students in the walk zone when the walking route is unsafe, such as having no sidewalks or a dangerous crossing.

What is the main purpose of a cluster (or corner) stop compared with door-to-door stops?

Answer: To cut the number of stops and stop-related risk while keeping walks reasonable

Cluster stops group several students at one safe point, which means fewer stops, less time, and fewer stop-arm exposures.

Which piece of information should a written route sheet or turn-by-turn direction for a substitute driver include?

Answer: Stop order, stop locations, times, and known hazards

Clear stop order, times, and hazard notes help substitutes run the route safely and on time.

A GPS/AVL system shows a bus stopped at a non-scheduled location for 15 minutes. What should dispatch do first?

Answer: Contact the driver by radio to check on safety and status

Dispatch should first reach the driver to find out whether there is an emergency, breakdown, or route change, then act on the answer.

Why must routing data for students be handled under FERPA rules?

Answer: Student addresses and ridership records can be protected education records

Student addresses and transportation records kept by the district can be protected education records under FERPA.

When a route consistently runs over its scheduled time, which is the best first step?

Answer: Look at the route's stop times, ridership, and traffic patterns to find the cause

Finding the real cause, such as too many stops, heavy traffic, or loading delays, leads to a safe and lasting fix.