MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Gov. Bob Riley's Study Group on School Bus Seat Belts awarded a grant of nearly $316,000 to the University of Alabama's University Transportation Center.

The governor's study group was formed last fall after a fatal school bus crash in Huntsville, Ala., and will examine whether or not seat belts should be required on school buses within the state. Proposals from all Alabama colleges and universities were solicited by the group earlier this year.

The three-year grant will fund a pilot program to implement and research the study group's recommendations, which include purchasing 12 new school buses equipped with seat belts, teaching students how to properly wear and adjust the belts, and examining different strategies for enforcing and monitoring seat belt usage.

The research study will also include: bus fleet alterations, determination of school bus seating configuration, surveying students, parents and local school personnel, and cost-benefit analysis.

School systems that are selected to participate in the program will have to ensure that parents are informed about the seat belts and will require parental permission in order for children to participate in the study.