WHEELCHAIR TIE-DOWN SYSTEMS EVOLVE

Despite the fact that 40,000 school buses are used to transport handicapped children daily, there is no federal standard for the crashworthiness of wheelchair tie-down systems and few states have testing requirements for wheelchair tie-downs. Aeroquip Corporation, a Lawrence, Kansas, based manufacturer of wheelchair tie-downs, started in the business after one of its distributors used its cargo tie-downs for some wheelchair passengers. Today Aeroquip builds a system consisting of two main components: tracks made of high strength steel about 5 in. wide and slotted every 2 in., which are bolted to the floor of the school bus; and webbing, which is usually made of polyester or nylon. The standard tie-down method for wheelchairs today is the four-point attachment system. In this system, four straps are attached to strong points on the wheelchair's vertical posts. The straps are attached low to the ground in order to lower the wheelchair's center of gravity and provide more balance. The Aeroquip tie-down system, E-Z-ON vest and the Q'Straint wheelchair and occupant restraint system have all passed 30 mph sled impact tests. Warnings have been issued about mixing the securement systems of different manufacturers, which may cause injuries when accidents occur. Additional information is provided in this article on sled impact testing, the issue of forward facing versus side facing wheelchairs, and studies underway in New York and Michigan on the transportation of handicapped children.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/5321218
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Complete page range: pp 22, 24-25, 27, and 35.
• Corporate Authors:

  Bobit Publishing Company

  21061 S Western Avenue
  Torrance, CA  United States  90501-1711
• Publication Date: 1988-6

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 22, 24-
• Serial:
  • School Bus Fleet
  • Volume: 33
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Bobit Publishing Company
  • ISSN: 0036-6501
  • Serial URL: http://schoolbusfleet.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Development; Persons with disabilities; Research; Safety; School buses; Sled tests; Standards; Tiedowns; Wheelchairs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Research and development; Safety standards
• Old TRIS Terms: Tie-down systems
• Subject Areas: Highways; Public Transportation; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Society; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00490065
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-040 488
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 31 1989 12:00AM