00731177

Monograph

http://onlinepubs.trb.org.../Transit7_Final_Report.pdf

This Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) project designed, developed, and tested a prototype wheelchair restraint system compatible for operation with buses, light rail commuter cars, and multipassenger call-and-ride vehicles. The design incorporates features that eliminate the need for docking hardware permanently attached to the chair, does not require the transit vehicle operator to attach securement devices to the wheelchair, and is tolerant of positioning errors. The wheelchair restraint system uses pneumatically driven bristles that engage the wheels and frame of the chair, to stabilize it against movement during acceleration and braking. Static laboratory testing on a preproduction prototype wheelchair system was conducted to evaluate performance of the system. The testing confirmed the feasibility of the concept; the system can be made crashworthy.

This TRANSIT-IDEA project was conducted by Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

TRANSIT-7

English

28 p.

1995-10

TRANSIT-IDEA Program Project Final Report

Appendices (1) ; Photos (5) ; References (1) ; Tables (1)

Crashworthiness; Design; Laboratory tests; Performance evaluations; Prototypes; Restraint systems; Technological innovations; Wheelchairs

Design features

Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors

TRIS, TRB

Feb 3 2003 12:00AM