CLAMPING DOWN ON WHEELCHAIR SAFETY IN PASSENGER VEHICLES. 2ND EDITION

This report has been produced as a response to the difficulties experienced by voluntary organisations in specifying vehicles for community transport and dial-a-ride services over the past five years. It considers the safety aspects involved in the transport of disabled passengers travelling in wheelchairs. The same safety standards should apply in all vehicles and the considerations outlined in the report apply just as much to bus companies and statutory fleets as to community-based operators. At present passengers travelling in wheelchairs are among the most vulnerable of all road passengers, judged by the conditions in which they are required to travel and the legal requirements to restrain them. They also have the greatest need and the fewest options in travel provision. The first part of the report outlines the wider issues and the second part is a detailed guide to current practice. The guide describes facilities which are available for wheelchair and passenger restraint, lifts and ramps for access to vehicles, and means of emergency escape. Each facility and its problems are considered and the guide lists some of the manufacturers who produce the equipment. Aspects of whole vehicle design requirements are discussed such as vehicle layout, floorspace, headroom, storage of wheelchairs, seat to wheelchair ratio, etc. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Federation of London Dial-A-Ride

  St Margarets, 25 Leighton Road
  London,   United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • Bould, M
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 50 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Access; Aerodynamic lift; Buses; Industries; Paratransit services; Passenger transportation; Persons with disabilities; Ramps; Restraint systems; Safety; Vehicle design; Wheelchairs
• Old TRIS Terms: Passenger restraints
• ITRD Terms: 1272: Bus; 1157: Community transport; 1157: Dial a ride; 1726: Disabled person; 3674: Equipment; 744: Public transport; 3422: Restraint (fixing); 1476: Safety belt; 177: Specifications
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Passenger Transportation; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Society; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00459971
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 30 1986 12:00AM