Protecting Children Every STOP of the Way

Extended Stop Arm with Halo-Guard

Our patented (Utility Patent US 9,245,465 B1) Extended Stop Arm reaches up to 6.5′ from the driver’s side of the bus to extend into the opposing lane to deter illegal passing.

  • Strobing LED lights in the stop sign add additional safety by ensuring motorist attention.
  • Over 130,000 students ride in buses with a Bus Safety Solutions Extended Arm.
  • Halo-Guard COB LEDs surround the arm and sign for over 4000 Lumens of perimeter lighting.
  • Our Extended Stop Arms are mandated on all school buses in Montana where a child must cross the road to board the school bus. Similar legislation has been introduced in numerous other states.

Specifications

  • The Extended Stop Arm exceeds the Federal Standard 571.131 School Bus Pedestrian Safety Devices.
  • Overview – the Extended Stop Arm provides a physical presence to stop vehicles from passing stopped school buses. This has a break-away feature such that if struck at a significant speed will shear the bolt connections and the electrical connection. This is a patented product #US 9,245,465 B1. The arm takes 5 seconds to deploy or retract for electric, and 4 seconds for air. Should the electric arm be opened into another object, or the side of another bus, it will automatically retract and reset after 20 seconds, protecting both the Extended Stop Arm and the Linear Actuator.
  • The Extended Stop Arm is powder-coated aluminum or steel, vinyl, fasteners are all stainless steel. Electrical wiring is all U.V. protected cabling. It is covered by our 5-year warranty, which is backed up by individual product warranties of the contracted manufacturers.
  • Lights – are independently plugged into the wiring harness. Meaning any light can be replaced individually. They are all bright 9 LED in a sealed housing US FMVSS 108 vehicle lighting compliant. The lights stay on for 2 extra seconds when closing to allow for the arm to close against the side of the bus.
  • Sign – is current to the Federal specifications for the Stop sign in both size and specific quality of lettering and reflectivity.
  • Aluminum break-away frame – This is powder-coated aluminum built to our specifications. Total weight of frame, lights, and sign is 7 pounds.
  • Steel support square frame – This is powder-coated steel and has the strength to support the break-away aluminum frame. This allows shearing of the #8 nylon 5/16″ bolts.
  • Steel Hinge support – This is designed to support both the original sign, and our new steel frame, as well as the aluminum break-away sign. This is comprised of a heavy-duty steel vertical, and horizontal member which supports the linear actuator as well. Both the vertical and horizontal pieces’ have ¾” X ½″ bronze iolite bushings. In addition, the hinge piece itself has a ½″ stainless steel rod as the hinge which operates within the bronze bushings. The fasteners are all stainless steel including the studs on this hinge piece.
  • Wiring harness – for the lights is attached using a harsh environment waterproof ATM series sealed connector for the weather seal at the breakaway point.
  • Electronic Control Unit – This was developed specifically for us. It controls the flash, and strobe of the lights, as well as the Linear Actuator or pneumatic cylinder move the arm. This requires a 15-amp supply line fuse from the fuse box, and to be connected to the control wire for the existing Stop Arm lights. The unit uses very low current.
  • Linear Actuator – This is a 100# thrust unit, with an IP66 rating operating at a temperature range of -10°F to 110°F providing consistent operations of the Extended Stop Arm. This has a 400# static load for keeping the arm against the side of the bus.
  • Air/Pneumatic Double Acting Cylinder – This is a 100lbs of thrust unit. It has all stainless-steel parts that use the bus compressor air to power in and out. The air pressure securely holds in the Extended Stop Arm when the bus is running. A check valve keeps the arm secure when the bus is off. An electric control unit also controls the air cylinder.
  • Length – The Extended Stop Arm is available in multiple lengths, depending on model, up to 7′ total length. The shorter version can be used on routes with 1 lane or parking lots.
More Info

Halo-Guard Upgrade Kit

The Halo-Guard Stop Arm Upgrade Kit takes your stop arm to the next level.

This perimeter lighting system attaches to any existing stop arm.  With over 500 COB LEDs, this turns your standard stop arm into a bright stop beacon!  Alternating flash pattern alerts drivers and reduces stop arm violations.  This patent pending system is easily installed on any standard stop arm.  Specify whether you need one for a metal sign or plastic sign.

See it in action:  https://youtu.be/pUMeKmjLrjk

Standard Arm with Bus-Gate Arm

The Halo-Guard: Standard Stop Arm with Bus-Gate extension is our Standard Arm with a highly effective Bus-Gate bar for increased visibility.  Comes in Electric and Pneumatic versions.

Halo-Guard Standard Arm

How many times have you had to replace stop arm components or entire units over the years?

Does extreme weather and harsh environment impact your stop arms’ ability to function?  We have the solution!

Stop the madness and look to Bus Safety Solutions’ arms.

With a full five-year warranty, ease of installation, and an ability to withstand the harshest climates, SureStop arms are easy to install, require little maintenance, and, mostly importantly, can be seen well by oncoming traffic.

Specifications

Halo-Guard: Standard Arm

The Halo-Guard: Standard Arm is an FMVSS school bus pedestrian stop arm. It is powered by an electric or pneumatic actuator.

The patent pending mechanism is designed to meet the harsh environmental conditions in which school buses operate.

A standard stop sign meeting FMVSS 131 Color and Reflectivity standards is mounted

to the Halo-Guard unit. The sign is coated with 3M Diamond Grade coating for superior retro reflectivity. It has two LED flashing lights on each side which meet FMVSS 131 brightness standards. Lights are independently plugged into the wiring harness. Meaning any light can be replaced individually. All 9 bright LEDS are in sealed housing and US FMVSS 108 vehicle lighting compliant.

The Halo-Guard Standard Arm is motorized by an electric actuator or pneumatic cylinder that exerts 100 lbs. pressure to open the arm, allowing them to operate in the worst environmental conditions.

Linear Actuator

  • This is a 100# thrust unit, with an IP66M rating operating at a temperature range of -40 F to 130 F providing consistent operations of the Sure Stop Arm. This has a 100# static load for keeping the arm against the side of the bus. The electric actuators require 12 v power from the school bus.
  • The electronic control system is motorized in the sealed box. Electrical wiring is all U.V. protected cabling.
  • The electrical control unit controls the flash, and strobe of the lights, as well as the linear actuator. This requires a 15-amp supply line fuse from the fuse box, and to be connected to the control wire for the existing Stop Arm lights. The unit uses an average of 3-amps constant with 6-amp peak.

FMVSS Citations

  • Halo-Guard Arms meet all Federal Motor Vehicle Standards for School Bus Stop Arms – FMVSS §571.131. The specifications are listed with reference to the sections in the Federal standards.

Stop Sign Characteristics

  • Stop sign is octagonal – 450 mm in diameter (§5.1)
  • Stop sign is red (§6.2.1) on both sides – excluding letters and borders (§5.2)
  • Stop sign has 12 mm white boarder (§5.2.1)
  • Mounting brackets do not obscure more than 15 percent of border (§5.2.3)
  • The words “STOP” is displayed in upper case letters and are 150 mm in height. Stroke width is at least 20 mm (§5.2.2)
  • Stop sign is reflectorized (§6.2) with Type III material ($5.3.1) that meets the Minimum Specific Intensity Per Unit Area ($571.135)
  • Brackets and Mounts account for less than 7.5 percent of the total surface area of either side of the stop arm (S5.3.1.2)
  • The stop sign is equipped with two red lamps on either side of the sign. The lamps are centered on the vertical centerline at the top and bottom of the sign. (S5.3.2)

Stop Arm Mounting

  • The stop arm is mounted perpendicular to the side of the bus. The top edge of the sign is mounted parallel to the windows. The vertical centerline of the sign is greater than 9 inches from the side of the bus. (§5.4.1 a, b, c)

Stop Arm Controls

  • Stop arm is activated with the “reds” switch on the console (§5.5)

Stop Arm Lamps

  • DOT/SAE:J1395, J1398, J585e Rated
    • Flash rate shall have a current “on” time of 30 to 75 percent of the total flash cycle. The total current “on” time for the two terminals is between 90 and 110 percent of the total flash cycle. (§6.2.1)

Stop Arm Durability

  • The stop arm is held secure to the bus with 4 #12 screws to resist vibration. (§6.2.3)
  • All parts are coated or made of weather resistant materials to prevent corrosion.
  • The electronics meet IP66 to resist moisture and dust. (§6.2.3)
  • Electrical wiring and plastics are coated with U.V. protected cabling. (§6.2.3)
  • Stop sign is made of .08 aluminum and does not warp. (§6.2.3)
  • Control box frame parts are powder-coated steel and do not warp (§6.2.3)

Warranty

  • Halo-Guard Arms have a 1-year parts warranty.

Durability

  • The product withstands the heavy vibration of washboard roads, extreme temperatures, and high winds. Lab testing has performed over 10 years of operations, 500,000 extensions and retractions, with electric actuator under respective load.

Driver Select for Bus-Gate

The Driver Select for Bus-Gate allows bus drivers the option of using any model of stop arm as the primary stopping unit and a Bus-Gate bar as supporting unit.  This allows for the option on more open roadways to extend the arm to block incoming traffic and heightens visibility during stops. Comes in Electric and Pneumatic versions.

Specifications

The Driver Select unit for Bus-Gate is an electric actuator or pneumatic cylinder powered unit that mounts underneath a standard stop arm and extends a Bus-Gate in conjunction with the stop arm.  The school bus driver is equipped with a switch that allows them to disable the arm if there is a vehicle or other object obstructing the extension.

The patent pending mechanism is designed to meet the harsh environmental conditions in which school buses operate.

The Driver Select unit is motivated by an electric actuator or pneumatic cylinder that exerts 100 lbs. pressure to open the unit, allowing them to operate in the worst environmental conditions.

Linear Actuator – This is a 100# thrust unit, with an IP66M rating operating at a temperature range of -40 F to 130 F providing consistent operations of the unit. This has a 100# static load for keeping the Bus-Gate against the side of the bus. The electric actuators require 12v power from the school bus.

The electronic control system is mounted in the sealed box.  Electrical wiring is all U.V. protected cabling.

The electrical control unit controls the flash, and strobe of the lights, as well as the linear actuator.  This requires a 15-amp supply line fuse from the fuse box, and to be connected to the control wire for the existing Stop Arm lights.  The unit uses an average of 3-amps constant with 6-amp peak.

Mounting

  • The Driver Select unit is mounted perpendicular to the side of the bus.

Controls

  • Driver Select is activated with the “reds” switch on the console.
  • A second switch allows the driver to disable the unit.

SureStop Durability

  • The unit is held secure to the bus with 4 #14 screws to resist vibration.
  • All parts are coated or made of weather resistant materials to prevent corrosion.
  • The electronics meet IP66 to resist moisture and dust.
  • Electrical wiring and plastics are coated with U.V. protected cabling.
  • Control box frame parts are powder-coated steel and do not warp.

Warranty

  • Driver Select units have a 2-year parts warranty.

Durability

  • The product withstands the heavy vibration of washboard roads, extreme temperatures, and high winds. Lab testing has performed over 10 years of operations, 500,000 extensions and retractions, with electric actuator or pneumatic cylinder under respective load.
Installation of Bus Safety Solutions Extended Stop Arm

Installation

  • The Extended Stop Arm is a Federally-approved stop arm with options extending from 4.5 to 6.5 feet from the driver’s side of the bus.
  • The original stop arm can be used and reattached to a sturdy steel bracket and brace.
  • The electrical system integrates with the existing system, including lights.
  • The extension of the Extended Stop Arm is constructed using nylon shear pins that are designed to break away if it is hit at 30 + mph.
  • Two installation options to choose from:
    • The electric version features a linear actuator that securely holds the sign close to the bus when not deployed.
    • The pneumatic air versions operate on the bus’s standard pneumatic pressure system.

Bus Safety Solutions Extended Stop Arm can be installed on most schools in under two hours. Installation is available for larger orders. Contact us for details.

Our Stop Arm

Fast Facts

  • First unit is easily installed within a few hours.  Further installs can be achieved in as little as 45 minutes.
  • Bus compatibility: International, Blue Bird, Thomas, and Freightliner model buses, including buses that are over 20 years old.
  • Lights: The lights are high visibility LED lights with an enhanced strobe pattern. Lights are individually replaceable with a pin connection, thus saving money by not having to replace all the lights as is the current practice.
  • Corrosion-resistant: All metal parts are stainless steel or powder-coated to withstand harsh elements and road chemicals.
  • Temperature variation: Certified operation between -50°F and 130°F.
  • Pneumatic cylinder and electric actuator models available.
  • Shock and vibration resistance: rough roads, potholes, and day-to-day jarring are no match for our Stop Arm’s durability.

Warranty

Bus Safety Solutions offers a 1-year warranty on its product and material workmanship. This is supported by manufacturer warranties on the arm, sign, lights, electronic board, linear actuator, and pneumatic cylinder. Contact us for details.

Bus Safety Solutions Works to Improve Children’s Safety

Every STOP of the way!