BusTalk

[Montell305]

Hello,

I am a driver and bus fan from Toledo, Ohio that is new to this forum. I apologize if this question has been addressed previously, but I had a few questions regarding nontraditional clearance light colors. I know that when FMVSS 108 went into effect in 1968 all of the manufactures had to conform to the now traditional arrangement of amber clearance lights and Michigan markers on the front, amber mid-ship lights, and red clearance lights and Michigan markers in the rear. However, it seems that prior to FMVSS 108 each area could/did dictate their own requirements on lighting. My state (Ohio) didn't require Michigan markers however a few operators optioned them anyway. However, it does seem that the clearance lights always had to be amber in the front and red in the rear here. I have seen pictures of buses in other areas that had different color clearance lights. For example, it seems that most Ontario buses had green marker lights in the front, red in the rear and they didn't require the Michigan markers either. Indiana seemed to require the clearance lights and the Michigan markers and they had the traditional amber/red for the front/rear clearance lights but required blue for the Michigan markers. So here are my questions...

1.) Does anyone know any details of why the lighting was done this way and what areas had what requirements?

2.) Was there any New Look buses, particularly the TDH-5301's with their large clearance lights, built with non-traditional clearance light colors.

3.) When FMVSS 108 went into effect did most operators retro fit their buses to amber/red?

Thanks for allowing me to ask this question. I have always wondered about this and perhaps some "old-timers" on here can provide some answers.

Thanks,

Brian