CHAPTER 171b. SCHOOL BUS SIDE STOP SIGNAL ARM ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS—TEMPORARY REGULATIONS Sec.
171b.1. Purpose.
171b.2. Definitions.
171b.3. System certification.
171b.4. System use.Authority The provisions of this Chapter 171b added under 75 Pa.C.S. § § 3345 and 3345.1, unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Chapter 171b added February 16, 2024, effective February 17, 2024, 54 Pa.B. 719, unless otherwise noted.
§ 171b.1. Purpose.
This chapter sets forth temporary regulations for the certification and use of school bus side stop signal arm enforcement systems.
§ 171b.2. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Pupil transportation—This term shall have the same meaning given that term in 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(m) (relating to automated enforcement of failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights).
Recorded image—A static or full motion photographic or digital image recorded by a system that depicts the front or the rear of a motor vehicle.
School bus—This term shall have the same meaning given that term in 75 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions).
School entity—This term shall have the same meaning given that term in 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(m).
Side stop signal arm enforcement system—This term shall have the same meaning given that term in 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(m).
Side stop signal arms—This term shall have the same meaning given that term in 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(m) and § 4552(b.1) (relating to general requirements for school buses).
System—This term shall have the same meaning given that term in 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(m).
System administrator—This term shall have the same meaning given that term in 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(m).§ 171b.3. System certification.
(a) Minimum requirements. A system must:
(1) Be installed on the school bus and include hardware, with at least one camera and one computer capable of producing accurate recorded images.
(2) While flashing red lights are activated on a school bus, be capable of capturing recorded images of any motor vehicle operated in violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(a) (relating to automated enforcement of failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights), with at least one recorded image depicting the license plate number and state of issuance of the motor vehicle.
(3) Automatically activate when the school bus driver or operator engages the stop signal arm and red signal lights for a school bus stop.
(4) Produce a recorded image displaying or be capable of confirming, the date, time and place of an alleged violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(a).
(5) Include the capability to prohibit automated or user-controlled remote surveillance by means of recorded video.
(6) Include vandal-resistant housing covers for exterior cameras.
(7) Include hardware storage or cloud-based storage capable of storing recorded images and be capable, internally or in conjunction with removable media, of retaining recorded images of an alleged violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(a).
(8) Be capable of producing all recorded images to the school entity, a system administrator acting on the school entity’s behalf or a contracted company that provides pupil transportation no later than 24 hours after an alleged violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(a).
(b) Approval of systems. A manufacturer or vendor seeking certification of a system must submit a request for certification to the Department on its letterhead confirming the make and model of the system and how the system meets the minimum requirements of subsection (a). The Department shall review and approve applications for certification in writing, which shall be effective upon issuance to the manufacturer or vendor and publication on the Department’s web site at https://www.penndot.pa.gov/TravelInPA/Safety/TrafficSafetyAndDriverTopics/pages/school-bus-safety.aspx.
(c) Approved systems. A list of systems approved under subsection (b) shall be published on the Department’s web site at the link listed in subsection (b). A school entity, a system administrator acting on the school entity’s behalf or a contracted company that provides pupil transportation may utilize an approved system.
(d) Approval of systems already in use. Requests for certification of systems installed prior to the effective date of these temporary regulations must be submitted to the Department within 6 months of the effective date of these temporary regulations.
(e) Decertification of system. If the Department determines a system approved under subsection (b) no longer meets the minimum requirements of subsection (a) or for other good cause shown, the Department may rescind certification of the system, providing notice of decertification in writing, which shall be effective upon issuance to the manufacturer or vendor.
§ 171b.4. System use.
(a) Certification required. A school entity, a system administrator acting on the school entity’s behalf or a contracted company that provides pupil transportation must only use a system certified by the Department.
(b) Installation, testing, operation and repair. A system must be installed, tested, operated and repaired in accordance with the manufacturer’s or vendor’s specifications.
(c) Record of inspection and compliance. A school entity, a system administrator acting on the school entity’s behalf or a contracted company that provides pupil transportation must routinely, and no less than semi-annually, inspect its system to ensure the system is operating in accordance with manufacturer or vendor specifications. The school entity, system administrator acting on the school entity’s behalf or contracted company that provides pupil transportation must make a written record of each inspection and log any remedial measures taken for the system to comply with the manufacturer’s or vendor’s specifications.
(d) Required documentation. A school entity, a system administrator acting on the school entity’s behalf or a contracted company that provides pupil transportation must retain its records of inspection and compliance with the manufacturer’s or vendor’s specifications for a period of no less than 1 year from final disposition of an alleged violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(a) (relating to automated enforcement of failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights). Records of inspection and compliance shall constitute written documentation that the system is operating correctly as required by 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(d).
(e) Use of recorded images. A school entity, a system administrator acting on the school entity’s behalf or a contracted company that provides pupil transportation must ensure that recorded images of alleged violations of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(a) are only used per the limitations of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(e)(1), except that a school entity, a system administrator acting on the school entity’s behalf or a contracted company that provides pupil transportation may disclose the recorded images when required to comply with a court order issued under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(e)(1)(iii).
(f) Destruction of recorded images. A school entity, a system administrator acting on the school entity’s behalf or a contracted company that provides pupil transportation must destroy recorded images of an alleged violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(a) within 1 year of final disposition of the recorded event. Final disposition shall mean the following:
(1) When the recorded images are not included on a certificate under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(d), the date of the alleged violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(a).
(2) When the recorded images are included on a certificate under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(d), 3 years after the alleged violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345.1(a).
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