This study was performed to investigate all available information pertinent to safety belts in intercity buses and to make specific recommendations as to what form a requirement for safety belts in intercity buses should take, if any such requirements are indicated, based on cost-benefit analysis.

Cost-benefit analyses were conducted for each of several safety belt requirement options, taking into account such factors as costs of injuries and deaths foregone, and costs of belt assemblies, seat modifications, floor anchors, and structure modifications.

The study approach included a detailed review of all available in-depth investigation reports involving intercity buses for the years 1972-1976 available from the Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety and the National Transportation Safety Board. In all, 66 such accidents were considered.

Based on these analyses, it was determined that requirements for passenger safety belts in intercity buses are not recommended. However, recommendations are made for optimizing the energy-absorbing design of seats, and for installing an energyabsorbing restraining barrier in front of the first seat units on each side of the bus. Concerning mandatory seatbelt use, it was found that for lap belts at all seated positions, the cost of installing the restraints could be justified only if 80% of the passengers wear their restraints and wear them properly.