METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

NTSB releases bus safety recommendations

Issued to NHTSA, new suggestions replace existing standards, stress need for continued improvements.

July 12, 2010
2 min to read


The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) made the following new safety recommendations to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

Require new commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating above 10,000 pounds to be equipped with lane departure warning systems. (H-10-01)

Ad Loading...

To maintain consistency in bus body classifications and to clarify the scope of bus safety initiatives, develop regulatory definitions and classifications for each of the different bus body types that would apply to all U.S. Department of Transportation agencies and promote use of the definitions among the bus industry and state governments. (H-10-02) (This recommendation supersedes Safety Recommendations H-99-43 and -44 and is classified "Open-Unacceptable Response.")

In your rulemaking to improve motorcoach roof strength, occupant protection and window glazing standards, include all buses with a gross vehicle weight rating above 10,000 pounds, other than school buses. (H-10-03)

Develop performance standards for all newly manufactured buses with a gross vehicle weight rating above 10,000 pounds to require that overhead luggage racks are constructed and installed to prevent head and neck injuries and remain anchored during an accident sequence. (H-10-04) (This recommendation supersedes Safety Recommendations H-09-23 and -24)

Develop stability control system performance standards applicable to newly manufactured buses with a gross vehicle weight rating above 10,000 pounds. (H-10-05)

Once the performance standards from Safety Recommendation H-10-05 have been developed, require the installation of stability control systems in all newly manufactured buses in which this technology could have a safety benefit. (H-10-06)

Ad Loading...

Require that all buses above 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating be equipped with on-board recording systems that:

(1) record vehicle parameters, including, at minimum, lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, vertical acceleration, heading, vehicle speed, engine speed, driver's seat belt status, braking input, steering input, gear selection, turn signal status (left/right), brake light status (on/off), head/tail light status (on/off), passenger door status (open/closed), emergency door status (open/closed), hazard light status (on/off), brake system status (normal/warning) and flashing red light status (on/off; school buses only);

(2) record status of additional seat belts, airbag deployment criteria, airbag deployment time and airbag deployment energy;

(3) record data at a sampling rate sufficient to define vehicle dynamics and be capable of preserving data in the event of a vehicle crash or an electrical power loss; and

(4) are mounted to the bus body, not the chassis, to ensure recording of the necessary data to define bus body motion. (H-10-07) (This recommendation supersedes Safety Recommendation H-99-53 and is classified "Open-Unacceptable Response").

More Motorcoach

An ABC motorcoach on the road.
Motorcoach•by Alex Roman•November 1, 2026

Financing, Fleet Replacement Requires a More Strategic Approach

Executives from ABC Companies and MCI discuss how rising costs, changing market conditions, and post-pandemic challenges are prompting motorcoach operators to rethink financing strategies, fleet replacement cycles, and long-term planning.

Read More →
College students boarding a Master's Transportation Bus
Motorcoach•by Alex Roman•October 23, 2026

Rethinking the Road: Transportation Challenges for Smaller College Athletics

Smaller college athletic programs are rethinking fleet strategies as rising costs, driver shortages, and longer travel distances put new pressure on transportation budgets.

Read More →
Turning Transportation Challenges into Opportunities
Management•by Alex Roman•October 22, 2026

Brian Dickson on Building Stronger, More Resilient Transportation Organizations

Bus Business Consultants Founder Brian Dickson discusses the leadership principles, operational discipline, and strategic planning that separate transportation companies positioned for long-term success from those stuck in survival mode.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
ABC Companies President and CEO Roman Cornell
Bus•by Alex Roman•October 21, 2026

Roman Cornell on ABC Companies’ Evolution and the Future of Passenger Transportation

The company’s CEO discusses carrying forward a third-generation family legacy, ABC’s continued evolution in passenger transportation, support for increasingly complex fleets, and how technology and continued investment could help operators improve uptime.

Read More →
Management•September 24, 2026

From Surviving to Thriving: Building Stronger Transportation Organizations

Bus Business Consultants founder Brian Dickson shares lessons on leadership, organizational health, and creating options for long-term success in a changing transportation industry.

Read More →
Cover of ABAF's Canadian Motorcoach Report
Motorcoach•by Alex Roman•September 22, 2026

Report: Canadian Motorcoach Industry Generates $4.4B in Economic Impact

The 2025 Motorcoach Economic Impact Report finds motorcoach travel supported nearly 25,000 jobs and generated $980 million in federal, provincial, and local taxes.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Prevost's Elk Grove Village, Illinois Service Center
Motorcoach•by Staff and News Reports•September 18, 2026

Prevost Opens Expanded Chicago-Area Service Center

The $8.1 million Elk Grove Village investment nearly triples facility space while adding service capacity, parts storage, and customer amenities.

Read More →
Third Generation Joins Dan Dipert Coaches Leadership Team
Management•by Alex Roman•September 17, 2026

People Movement: Dan Dipert Coaches Adds Third-Generation Leader, Keolis Names New Valley Metro VP/GM, and More

In this edition, we also cover recent appointments and announcements at the Wabtec, SilverRide, HNTB, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →
AAAHI receiving METRO's Innovative Operator of the Year Award
Motorcoach•by Alex Roman•September 16, 2026

METRO Opens Submissions for 2026 Motorcoach Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for METRO Magazine’s Operator of the Year and Innovative Operator of the Year awards.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Rendering of an Alstom train in a VIA Rail Station
Technology•by Alex Roman•September 10, 2026

Biz Briefs: Alstom Lands Canadian Contract, LYT to Supply California TSP, and More

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Complete Coach Works, Beep, FlixBus, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Read More →