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3-POINT HARNESSBusbelts Development Corp.1016 Belmont St. Watertown, Massachusetts 02472 10/27/98 Ladies and Gentlemen; The purpose of this communication is to formally request participation in the "Next Generation Safety Systems Research Plan". INTRODUCTION – A Brief History of Busbelts Development Corporation The Busbelts Development Corporation was founded by Gary H. Murphy in 1995. The question of how to best protect children on school buses inspired his research. His understanding of the benefits and disadvantages of compartmentalization and lap belts has guided the development of a new and better system. The Busbelts Development Team includes many very talented engineers, material scientists, safety experts, research technicians and supporting administrators. Together they have produced and patent protected the first feasible three-point restraint system for school buses. BACKGROUND - The Great Seatbelt vs. Compartmentalization Debate Compartmentalization has shown to be effective, however we live in an era of air bags and universal seat belt laws for our passenger vehicles. Some believe that seatbelts would improve school bus safety. Many others have resisted the inclusion of seatbelts on large school buses. Currently, only NY, NJ, and approximately 235 other communities are utilizing lap restraints on their large school buses. Both sides agree that a lap/shoulder (3-point) restraint would be optimal when combined with compartmentalization. The challenge has been to develop a 3-point system that would easily work with the current compartmentalized seat structure and comply with the federal motor vehicle safety standards. The Busbelts Development Corporation has succeeded in creating this 3 point system- THE BUSBELTS' 3-POINT RESTRAINT SYSTEM This system can be easily retrofitted into the current compartmentalized seating configuration found on all post 1977 large school buses. It complies with all FMVS standards and its effects on passengers that choose not to utilize the system are not a problem. The design is simple with low costs for maintenance and repair. The capacity of the bus is not decreased and it is comfortable and easy for students to use. Technical specifications and product design data is attached. ALYSIS OF YOUR INCLUSION CRITERIA I. "Is likely to reduce the total number of injuries or fatalities associated with school bus Crashes" The data supporting the use of the 3-point harness as an effective technique to reduce injuries is voluminous. The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services and The National Coalition for School Bus Safety, both endorse the 3-point harness concept. These organizations have been polarized on the issue of lap restraints, yet now we can have a truly unified industry. II. " Provides protection to the whole range of occupants who are transported in School Buses" The Busbelts 3-point harness system works for all sizes and weights of children. Furthermore, it can be utilized to install a child safety seat for preschoolers. It is also important to point out that the system will not endanger the passenger who choose not to use it. III. " Is Technologically Feasible" Our testing has shown compliance with all FMVS standards. Our technical team is already skilled at retrofitting and can easily, accomplish the job for all models regardless of manufacturer. We can also provide bus-builders with the license to install our product at the factory on new buses. IV. "Reasonable in Cost" We estimate that a typical large school bus will cost about $2500 plus insurance for a full capacity retro-fit. Factory installation on new buses should be significantly less expensive. V. "Does not Substantially reduce the occupant capacity of school buses or substantially Inhibit emergency evacuation" The Busbelts 3-point harness system does not reduce the capacity of our school buses. They can be installed 3-units per seat without any difficulty due to color coded design, incompatible buckles and custom refractors. The buckle system utilized is easy to operate and jam-proof Many children are already trained in the use of 3point harness systems from their family vehicle. We can help provide training curriculum and support to insure that our student passengers are able to easily evacuate. We have already obtained the endorsement of the Connecticut FireMarshalls Association. PARTICIPATION The Busbelts Development Corporation would be honored to help improve the safety of our nation's school bus passengers by fully cooperating with the NHTSA. We can provide technical assistance, product samples and engineering consultation to you or your associates. We request that a busbelts representative be involved when the system is tested to insure appropriate set-up. I hope you will take advantage of this win-win opportunity. All sides of the school bus industry and the public will appreciate the NHTSA for testing the solution to the great school bus-seat belt controversy. Current design configurations can be maintained with compartmentalization and a workable 3-point system Respectfully Submitted, Gary H- Murphy
January 3, 1999 Mr. Donald Bischoff Dear Mr. Bischoff, The National Coalition for School Bus Safety has been actively monitoring school bus safety, collecting data, and disseminating educational information for over 20 years. We have over 40,000 active members with 47 regional directors. The National PTA has endorsed our agenda and the 6.5 million PTA members receive our newsletter. We are pleased that the NHTSA has plans for studying potential improvements in school bus safety in your "Next Generation Safety Systems Research Plan". The debate over seatbelts on large school buses has dragged on for too many decades. While your study could add more scientific data to this controversy, we hope you will focus on some new technology that will eclipse the focus on lap-belts. The Busbelts Development Corporation has produced, patent protected, and tested the first feasible three-point restraint system for school buses. Mr. Gary H. Murphy, CEO has told me that he has formally applied for participation in the "Next Generation Safety Systems Research Plan". The National Coalition for School Bus Safety's independent safety experts and engineers have reviewed the design specifications, prototypes, and testing data. We are very impressed and excited. The Busbelts Development Corp. has succeeded in creating a 3-point system that works with current compartmentalized seat structure, complies with all FMVS standards, can be easily retrofitted, does NOT decrease capacity, works for all sizes of children, and is reasonable in cost. The public is becoming more aware of school bus safety issues. We have a great OPPORTUNITY to provide a solution to the seat belt debate with this 3-point system. We hope you will give this new development immediate attention and include it in the "Next Generation Safety Systems Research Plan". Sincerely, Dr. Alan L. Ross
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