Summary of Occupant, Wheelchair and Wheelchair Tiedown and Occupant Restraint System Configuration Data for Wheelchair-Seated Drivers and Front-Row Passengers in Private Vehicles

Abstract

Twenty-nine wheelchair-seated drivers and front row passengers were observed while preparing to travel in their private vehicles. Measurements were taken of the wheelchair and occupant relative to the vehicle interior and occupant restraints, using both manual and digital methods. On average, the center of the pelvic belt restraint was positioned 48.6 mm above and 27.1 mm forward of the thigh-abdominal junction of the wheelchair-seated occupants due to interference of wheelchair armrest with the lap belts, so that proper pelvic belt fit often could not be achieved. The shoulder belt was on average found to be positioned laterally 90.7 mm outboard of the center of the occupant’s shoulder, so that proper shoulder belt wrapping or contact with the shoulder was not achieved in most cases. Many occupants noted having problems with the ground clearance of the docking securement hardware on the bottom of their wheelchair during everyday activities. The lowest point of the docking hardware was found to be on average 23.7 mm above the ground. The measurement information collected in this study will be used to quantify the current issues related to and to develop systems that better the safety of wheelchair-seated drivers and passengers of private vehicles.