Section 575IAC1-9-19. Crossing control arm

   (a) School buses may be equipped with a crossing control arm mounted on the right side of the front bumper. When opened, this arm must extend in a line parallel to the body side and aligned with the right front wheel.

  (b) All components of the crossing control arm and all connections must be weatherproofed.

  (c) The crossing control arm must:

(1) incorporate system connectors (electrical, vacuum, or air) at the gate; and

(2) be easily removable to allow for towing of the bus.

  (d) The crossing control arm must be:

(1) constructed of noncorrodible or nonferrous material; or

(2) treated in accordance with the body sheet metal specification.

  (e) There must be no sharp edges or projections that could cause injury or be a hazard to students. The end of the arm must be rounded.

  (f) The crossing control arm must extend a minimum of seventy (70) inches (measured from the bumper at the arm assembly attachment point) when in the extended position.

  (g) The crossing control arm must not extend past the end of the bumper when in the stowed position.

  (h) The crossing control arm must extend simultaneously with the stop signal arm or arms, activated by stop signal arm controls.

  (i) An automatic recycling interrupt switch may be installed for temporarily disabling the crossing control arm.

  (j) The assembly must include a device attached to the bumper near the end of the arm to automatically retain the arm while in the stowed position. That device must not interfere with normal operations of the crossing control arm.

  (k) The crossing control arm may have an override switch that disallows the use of the crossing arm when the emergency brake is engaged. (State School Bus Committee; 575 IAC 1-9-19; filed Aug 15, 2014, 10:20 a.m.: 20140910-IR-575130244FRA)