Warning Lights & Signs on Buses

Technical Specifications

Information bulletin

Department of State Growth

Produced byRegistration and licencing servicesDepartment of State Growth

GPO Box 1002Hobart Tasmania 7001

Ph: 1300 851 225Email: vehiclestandrds@stategrowth.tas.gov.auWebsite: www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au

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This bulletin is a guideline only. At all-times the appropriate legislation currently in force takes precedence.

WARNING LIGHTS AND SIGNS ON BUSES

SUMMARY:

Buses used to carry schoolchildren outside designated urban areas in Tasmania are required to be fitted with flashing warning lights and signs. This information bulletin sets out the technical requirements for warning lights and signs.

CONTENTS: Introduction Technical specifications Operation and performance of warning lights Use of warning lights Appendix 1 (Luminous Intensity Table) Exemptions to school bus flashing lights and

warning signs

INTRODUCTION:Warning lights and signs were introduced in Tasmania in early 1996 and their use became mandatory from the 1st of July 1996.

This Bulletin has been developed jointly by the Department of State Growth, and members of the Tasmanian Bus Association.

The specifications for warning lights and signs do not require any particular brand of light or light kit. The specifications are performance specifications and any lights which can demonstrate compliance with the performance specifications and which are fitted in accordance with the regulations are acceptable.

Operators are required to fit lights and signs which comply with the requirements of this bulletin.

FITMENT REQUIREMENTSA bus fitted with warning lights and signs must have them fitted in accordance with the requirements of this bulletin, or as closely as practicable and to meet the operational intent of the warning lights and signs that are viewed as a group.

Practicable means able to be done within the available space, method or action.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:FITTING OF WARNING LIGHTS AND SIGNSThe following instructions specify the location and fitment of the warning lights and signs.

Components:Two warning lights and a warning sign must be fitted to the front, and to the rear of the bus.

1a. Warning Sign - Front A warning sign at the front of the bus must

display the words '‘SCHOOL” or “SCHOOL BUS” in capital letters at least 100 millimetres high, or

Display a square 40 km/h sign speed limit sign with the red circle having a diameter of at least 200mm.

1b Warning Sign – Rear A warning sign at the rear of the bus must

display a square, 40 km/h sign speed limit sign with the red circle having a diameter of at least 440mm; and the wording “WHEN LIGHTS FLASH” in 60 mm black letters on a white background.

Size, Colour and Type of Warning Signs The 40 km/h sign must be square, and

depict an image of the 40km/h speed limit sign of the as specified in Australian Standard AS 1743 Road Sign Specifications [Image R4-1-(40)], and

be of the dimensional proportions specified Australian Standard AS 1743 Road Sign Specifications [Image R4-1-(40)], and

be coated with a retro reflective material of class 1 or 2 that meets Australian Standard AS1906 (Retro- reflective Materials and Devices for Road Traffic Control Purposes)

The red circle on the front sign must have a diameter of at least 200 mm, and

WARNING LIGHTS AND SIGNS ON SCHOOL BUSES

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS INFORMATION BULLETIN

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The red circle on the rear sign must have a diameter of at least 440mm

The school bus or school warning signs must be in capital letters depicting “SCHOOL BUS” or “SCHOOL” are to be at least 100mm high.

The “WHEN LIGHT FLASH” wording part of the rear warning sign can comprise of either;

1. Two separate signs with the words “WHEN LIGHTS” displayed on one sign 450 mm long and 70 mm high and the word “FLASH” displayed on another sign the same size; or

2. One sign 900mm long and 70 mm high.

The wording must be written in 60 mm black lettering using series D characters as specified in Australian Standard AS 1744-1975 on a white back ground; and use the maximum even space possible between the letters.

The “WHEN LIGHTS FLASH” part of the rear warning sign must be placed as follows:

If any of the warning lights are fitted in the lower half of the rear of the bus; immediately above the 40 km/h speed limit sign; or

If the “WHEN LIGHTS FLASH” part of the rear warning sign is in two parts; one part may be placed on either side of the 40 km/h speed limit sign and evenly aligned to the top or bottom of the 40 km/h speed limit sign. The wording must read “WHEN LIGHTS FLASH”, or

In any other case , immediately above, or below the 40 km/h sign

2a. Warning LightsA warning light must have

an effective illuminated lens area of at least 60 square centimetres, and

a luminous intensity, in candela, of at least the values stated in Appendix 1, as measured in accordance third edition ADR 6

The warning lights must be fitted;

on each side of, and the same distance from, the centre of the warning sign, and

the edge of the warning sign to be not over 100 millimetres from the nearest point on the lens of the warning lights, or if this is not practicable, the edge of the warning sign to be not over 200 millimetres from the nearest point on the lens, but if the lights on the front of the bus are mounted higher than 1.8 metres above ground level the above requirement need not apply

with the distance between the warning lights at least 300 millimetres at the nearest point, and

so no part of the bus obstructs the light displayed;

30 degrees to the left and right of the centre of each light, and

10 degrees above and below the centre of each light.

The warning lights may be on the warning sign if the words or image on the warning sign are not obscured.

The warning lights at the same end of the bus must be fitted;

at the same height, and

as high as practicable

If the centres of the warning lights are under 1.80 metres above ground level, no part of the warning lights or warning sign may be on the left of the bus

Warning lights may be mounted on brackets or flush mounted into the bus or may be affixed to the inside of bus windows. Lights should not be mounted behind tinted glazing, as this will reduce their luminous intensity

Warning lights and signs must not interfere in any way with the operation of emergency exits

The fitting of the warning lights and signs applies to a bus despite any requirement of a Third Edition ADR. Warning lights must be fitted symmetrically (eg as AA, BB or CC on next page)

SCHOOL BUS

SCHOOL

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When warning lights are fitted to the inside of the windscreen ensure the following;

signs may be affixed within the top 10% of the windscreen if they do not obstruct the drivers view of the road, are not fitted behind tinted glazing and are not fitted below the swept path of the windscreen wipers

Guidance note Some buses (eg Toyota Coasters) may have lights and signs fitted at the top of the windscreen within the swept path of wipers if it is not practical for them to fully comply. This recognises that it is a far more effective to fit lights and signs at the top, rather than the bottom of the windscreen

if located at the bottom of the windscreen lights should not obstruct the driver’s view or heater demister operation

if located at the bottom of the windscreen then the sign must be placed below the lights. The sign must not cover any of the lower part of the windscreen

When warning lights are fitted to the inside of a rear window ensure that the lights cannot be tampered with by children sitting in the back row of the bus.

OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE OF WARNING LIGHTS ON BUSES Warning lights must meet the light intensity

performance requirements shown in the Vehicle Standards, (see Appendix 1)

When operating, a warning light must display regular flashes of yellow light at a rate of at least 90, and not over 180, flashes a minute

The warning lights at the same end of the bus must flash alternately

When activated, the warning lights must operate automatically when a door on the bus opens and for at least 10, and not more than 20, seconds after all the doors on the bus has closed

The bus must be fitted with a switch that allows the driver to turn the warning lights off

The bus must have a visible or audible signal that tells the driver when the warning lights are operating

FURTHER INFORMATION:For further information contact the Registration and Licencing Services, Department of State Growth, GPO Box 1002, Hobart, 7001 Tasmania. Ph: 1300 851 225.

APPENDIX 1LUMINOUS INTENSITY TABLEA warning light must meet the luminous intensity, in candela, of at least the values mentioned in the table when measured at the angles mentioned in the table.

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APPENDIX 1.

Warning light luminous intensity, in candela, of at the least the values as set out in the table.

Vertical Horizontal angle from centre of lightanglefrom

centre -300 -200 -100 -50 00 50 100 200 300

of light

100 50 80 50

500 180 320 350 450 350 320 180

00 75 450 1000 1250 1500 1250 1000 450 75

-50 40 270 450 570 600 570 450 270 40

-100 75 75 75

Special purpose bus warning lights currently manufactured by two companies have been shown to meet the luminous intensity requirements. Operators are welcome to use lights from other manufactures but before use they will first need to demonstrate that they comply with the requirements.

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Exemptions to school bus flashing lights and warning signsA decision has been made to allow certain exemptions to the legislation for buses that cannot meet the legislative requirements due to the design features of the vehicle. Exemptions are as follows:-

1. Lights can be fitted above or below warning sign & equally spaced within 50mm from the centreline of the warning sign. This will allow for the minor deviation of the symmetrical fitment of the sign due to the design features of the bus.

2. Distance of warning lights from the sign prescribed at 100mm can be extended to 300mm if not practical.

3. Electronic destination boards at from of vehicle allows destination to be displayed but must change to “School/School bus when lights are flashing.

4. 40 km/h signs can be rectangular, subject to 40 km/h annular being central to sign.5. “When lights flash sign” can be within 150mm of the 40 km/h sign.

Exemptions to location of “WHEN LIGHT F L A S H” sign for buses with a GVM less than 6,000 kgs

(i) Allows the warning sign to be made into three separate signs

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(ii) Allows the warning sign to be made into two separate signs

WHEN LIGHTSF L A S H

WHEN LIGHTS F L A S H

WHEN LIGHTS F L A S H

WHEN LIGHTSF L A S H

Exemptions to location of “WHEN LIGHT F L A S H” sign for all buses

(iii) Can be one sign symmetrically positioned central to the sign

210-440 mm

210-440 mm

210-440 mm

210-440 mm

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WHEN

LIGHTS

F L A S H

WHEN

LIGHTS

F L A S H

Department of State GrowthGPO Box 1002Hobart TAS 7001P 1300 851 225F (03) 6233 3837www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au

Legend# between 210-440mm* minimum 300mm@ within 150mm from sign

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