The most critical issues for wheelchair-seated passengers in vehicles are the securement of the wheelchairs and safety belts for the occupants. This paper will present the results of research and development projects in Sweden, with the aim to evaluate different methods for the securement of wheelchairs and occupants, to establish a knowledge basis for national and international standardisation work and to work out requirement specifications for the development of securement systems and wheelchairs for safe transportation in vehicles. The overall goal is that wheelchair-seated persons should be offered the same level of safety and comfort as is offered passengers sitting on ordinary ordinary seats in the vehicle. Accordingly the securement systems must comply with the following main requirements: (a) secure the wheelchair and give the passenger postural support during a normal journey with the vehicle, (b) protect the passenger in the event of an accident or other sudden movement or change in the speed of the vehicle, and (c) be easily handled to facilitate the work conditions of the personnel and to ensure correct use of the system. Field studies and an experimental crash test were conducted within the projects. The field studies focus on the comfort of the travellers and the ergonomics of the personnel in the special transportation service for wheelchair users. The travellers and personnel were interviewed and video filmed to analyse handling operations and safety risks. Experimental sled crash tests of wheelchairs and securement systems show the loads generated and the performance during an impact.
Abstract