This TRL Report presents the findings of a study carried out by TRL for the UK Department for Transport (DfT). The aim of the study was to examine the safety of children in wheelchairs in road passenger vehicles. The key question was whether children who remain seated in their wheelchairs are afforded a level of protection that is comparable to that for children travelling in a vehicle based restraint system. The study comprised a number of elements leading to a dynamic sled test programme with instrumented child dummies. The research found that children in wheelchairs do not receive a level of protection that is comparable to that for children in child restraints or vehicle seats. Changes in legislation are therefore required to address and hence improve their protection. There are three key influences: the vehicle, the restraint system and the wheelchair. All three areas must be addressed for improvements in protection to be made, and for the greatest improvements, vehicle, restraint system and wheelchair manufacturers must work together. (Author/publisher)
Abstract