There are many reasons why individual drivers find difficulty in operating the controls of a standard car. It may be that the movements needed result in pain or discomfort, or that the person lacks the necessary strength to drive any distance without fatigue, or even that they are physically incapable of performing the necessary actions. However, for those who do need help with this, there exist in the UK a range of specialists who adapt car controls to suit a particular person’s special needs. Thanks to them, many drivers have achieved the mobility they need to help them lead normal lives. However, the adaptation of a modern vehicle imposes a level of responsibility that is greater than ever before. Vehicles are becoming more sophisticated in terms of their design, and it is becoming more difficult for someone not associated with the design of the base vehicle to comprehend the reasoning that has gone into configuring the vehicle the way it has been done. Safety is of prime importance and an adaptation specialist needs to be able to assess the risks associated with his actions and to take steps to minimise them. The handling characteristics of current production vehicles have been developed to provide optimum control under all conditions. However, the steering is not simply a mechanism that operates in isolation. The driver is an important part of the system and the overall handling characteristics are determined by the tactile signals that he or she receives through the steering control. This is something that must be taken into account when the control is adapted, or another type of control is substituted. When it comes to steering, the conventional steering wheel control has been the preferred choice of vehicle designers for more than 100 years. However, it is not the only type of system that can be used for this purpose. Other forms of control have been tried, including tillers and joysticks, as well as devices such as yokes that have the steering wheel’s familiar grip but a smaller range of movement. These alternative types of steering control are sometimes used in preference to the conventional steering wheel where driver’s special needs demand it. The objectives of this study were • to evaluate the effects of changes to the steering systems • to provide advice to drivers with disabilities on the selection and usage of suitable adaptations • to offer advice to manufacturers of adaptive systems. (Author/publisher)
Abstract