The is hosted by the Cornell Local Roads Program.
What is the process for the request and installation of School Bus Stop Ahead Signs (S3-1)
1. The School Board makes a request to the Town Board for the installation of ‘School Bus Stop Ahead’ (S3-1) signs. The School board should identify where they are requesting the signs to be installed.
2. The Town Board reviews the request and either approves or does not approve the signs.
It is strongly recommended that an engineering study of traffic conditions, pedestrian characteristics, and physical characteristics of the location be performed to determine whether the installation is justified at a particular location. All decisions and justifications for the placement or denial should be documented and maintained as a permanent record.
The Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Section 7B.13 School Bus Stop Ahead Signs (S3-1) addresses the placement of signs:
National MUTCD:
- Section 7B.13 School Bus Stop Ahead Sign (S3-1)
Guidance:
01 The School Bus Stop Ahead (S3-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1) should be installed in advance of locations where a school bus, when stopped to pick up or discharge passengers, is not visible to road users for an adequate distance and where there is no opportunity to relocate the school bus stop to provide adequate sight distance.
NYS Supplement to the National MUTCD:
- Section 7B.13 School Bus Stop Ahead Sign (S3-1)
Guidance:
01A Both the need for, and the placement of, the School Bus Stop Ahead sign should be based on the distances in Table 4D-2.
3. If approved: the Town Board makes a motion for the Town Highway Superintendent to install the signs as directed.
4. Costs for these signs and their installation are typically funded out of the General Fund. While the costs for signs should be a General Fund (Account A) charge, some towns have a specific line item for signs in the Highway budget (Account DB – Part Town).
The authority for the approval for installation of signs lies with the Town Board, or the authority within the municipality which is responsible for authorizing resolutions or local laws. Installing signs without proper authorization can result in an increase in liability.
It is also recommended that an annual follow-up with the School District should be conducted to determine when these signs are no longer needed to ensure that the signs are treated with respect and complied with. Unnecessary signs will lead the public to ignore all signs over time.
Resources:
National MUTCD:
https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009r1r2/pdf_index.htm
NYS Supplement:
https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/oom/transportation-systems/repository/B-2011Supplement-adopted.pdf
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