Standards are currently being developed for Wheelchair Tiedown and Occupant Restraint Systems (WTORS) and transportable wheelchairs. This paper presents an investigation of the variation of floor reaction forces (wheel loads) as a function of two extreme webbing configurations, these being the initial settings of rear webbing tie down angles at 30 and 45 degrees to the horizontal. A sequence of crash tests are described. The results are compared with simulation results using the crash victim simulation model of WTORS. Rear wheel loads generated in the 45 degree case were found to be higher than those in the 30 degree case and were greater with than without an occupant. A number of unanticipated factors were revealed by the crash test.
Abstract