Chevron Parking: Cazenovia CSD Prioritizes School Bus Safety

Jan. 7, 2024

How can we make school bus transportation safer and more efficient? Cazenovia CSD is addressing this question by adopting a new parking technique called chevron parking.

The Cazenovia CSD Transportation Department is committed to ensuring the safety of students during school bus transportation. To this end, department members continually evaluate various aspects of bus operations, including loading and unloading procedures, driver behavior, and traffic safety.

Recently, the department implemented at Burton Street Elementary School chevron parking, a technique that involves parking buses at a 45-degree angle to maximize space and minimize traffic congestion. This method provides a safer and more efficient way to load and unload students, reducing the risk of accidents and allowing for quicker turnaround times.

“Chevron parking is the safest way to load and unload buses,” said Transportation Supervisor Karen Brouillette. “It creates a tighter parking arrangement, which helps block traffic and ensures student safety during the loading and unloading.”

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to use the school’s backlot for student pick up and drop-off instead of the circle or parking across the street from the school. This reduces unsafe crossings and traffic congestion and makes it safer for students and bus drivers. 

“We’ve increased our efficiency and student transfer has become a quick and simple process,” said Burton Street Principal Cristina Knapp. “Our goal is to keep students as safe as possible, and this parking method helps achieve that.”

To enhance safety and efficiency, the department plans to implement chevron parking at the middle and high school soon. Currently, after-school buses chevron park by the middle school portico. To facilitate student loading onto late buses, the loop will be closed from 3:40 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.

Bus safety reminders

It’s crucial for all drivers to understand and follow school bus safety laws. When a school bus stops with red lights flashing, drivers must stop their vehicles, regardless of the road type, including two-lane roads, multi-lane highways, and divided highways. Drivers must remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or is signaled by the bus driver or a police officer to proceed.

As for the high school, please note that the West Parking Lot is reserved for faculty and staff parking. It is not open for student drop off or pick up. Please arrange to drop students off on Emory Avenue each morning and coordinate a pick up location with your students each afternoon.