Project P1: Improved Independence and Usability of Wheelchair Transportation on Large Accessible Transit Vehicles (LATVs)

Task Leaders: Linda vanRoosmalen, PhD; Douglas Hobson, PhD

Other Participants: Jong Bae Kim (consumer), John Tague (consumer), Al Little and Aaron Lamb (transit engineers), Dan Debone (transit provider) and Jean-Marc Girardin (manufacturer).

Industry Collaborators: My Amigo, Invacare, Sunrise Medical, Q’Straint, Port Authority Transit.

Overview

This project has been organized as three distinct yet interdependent tasks to be conducted over the five-year grant period.

• Task P1.1: Research and evaluation of technologies for improved independence and usability of wheelchair passenger stations in LATVs.
• Task P1.2: Development improved concepts and technologies to enhance the independence and usability of forward-facing wheelchair passenger spaces on LATVs.
• Task P1.3: Complete the development of voluntary industry standards for wheelchair passenger stations in LATVs

Project Updates

• Project P1.1: March 2008
• Project P1.2: July 2007
• Project P1.3: July 2007
• P1 Annual Report 2007 (10.8 MB pdf)

Task P1.1: Research and evaluation of technologies for improved independence and usability of wheelchair passenger stations in LATVs

Objectives

• To evaluate the effectiveness and usability of alternate wheelchair securement concepts, experimental technologies
• To identify and prioritize remaining deficiencies in wheelchair transportation on LATVs

Methods

To address the specific study questions, a LATV belonging to Port Authority Transit (PAT) in Pittsburgh, PA will be equipped with three types of ADA-compliant wheelchair passenger stations: a) forward-facing 4-point strap type tiedown, b) forward-facing automatic docking, and c) rear-facing containment. Evaluation and safety trials will be conducted, first on a test track (North Park, Pittsburgh, PA) with three types of modified test wheelchairs, followed by trials with 24 wheelchair-seated subjects on a study-designed city driving course, each using one of the three test wheelchairs (manual, power and scooter type WMD). Surveys will be developed for wheelchair users and bus drivers to assess the transportation experience and to evaluate each wheelchair securement station upon usability, comfort and safety. Focus group methodology employing both quantitative (Likert scale) and qualitative measures (nominal group process) will be used in addition to collect and analyze the wheelchair user and transit personnel experiences.

The LATV will be equipped with the following securement systems:

• Station 1-Forward-Facing Standard WTORS Station: Includes an ADA-compliant, 4-point tiedown system with auto-retractors and a vehicle-anchored pelvic belt (QRT-Deluxe, Q’Straint).
• Station 2-Forward-facing Docking Station: Includes an ISO 10542-3 compliant, prototype auto-docking wheelchair securement device that provides securement through a wheelchair-mounted universal wheelchair adapter (UDIG).
• Station 3- A prototype RF-WPS now under development by the RERC and Q’Straint Inc.

Wheelchair selection/modification and instrumentation

To evaluate each WPS, three types of wheeled mobility devices: a standard manual, a typical powered, and a scooter-type wheelchair will be equipped with an integrated pelvic belt and a standard-compliant universal (UDIG) docking adapter. Modifications to each test wheelchair will be done in collaboration with its manufacturer (Sunrise Medical, Invacare and My Amigo).

For those individuals using power wheelchairs, an adjustable seatback (the V-Trac system) will be used to accommodate specific postural needs of test subjects. Also, any postural supports routinely used by the subjects will be used during the tests.

Video and a wheelchair mounted motion tracker will be used prior to the in-vehicle trial to determine the maximum values of wheelchair and dummy movement during a test-track evaluation. Video cameras will be used during the in-vehicle trials to capture the use of wheelchair securement systems.

Expected Outputs and Short-term Outcomes

Expected Outputs

• User-based analysis of improvement to usability and perceived independence of newly evolving concepts and related experimental technologies for use in LATVs
• A market-ready RF-WPS developed in partnership with a commercial partner
• Identification and documentation of remaining deficiencies in wheelchair transportation on LATVs
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports

Expected Short Term Outcome

• Significantly improved access to LATVs by persons with disabilities who use wheelchairs.

Update March 2008: P1.1 Evaluation of WTORS Technologies in LATVs

Wheeled mobility device modifications:

TThree commonly used wheelchairs were selected for inclusion in the study. The two wheelchairs (partially) comply with WC19 but the Scooter has not been designed to comply with WC19. The selection includes:

• Quickie 2 manual wheelchair (Sunrise Medical)
• TDX-SP powered wheelchair (Invacare Corporation)
• AMIGO SD scooter (AMIGO)

All three manufacturers were approached for their participation in this project and were asked to donate a wheelchair/scooter to the study. The following modifications were conceptualized so that the wheelchairs can be used in the study:

• integrated a UDIG and pelvic belt mounting point onto the Quickie 2 wheelchair
• integrated a UDIG, 4 anchors and a pelvic belt mounting point to the AMIGO scooter

We have completed the UDIG design for the Invacare wheelchair and Amigo scooter. We are awaiting the UDIG design from Sunrise Medical. We are finalizing integrated pelvic restraints for use on the manual wheelchair and scooter vehicle.

Wheelchair securement stations:

We have identified three securement stations to be evaluated in the study:

1. 4-point tiedown system
2. Rear facing passenger station
3. Automated docking system

Ad a. Q’Straint has donated a state-of-the-art wheelchair tiedown system that will mount to the PAT bus arm.

Ad b. In collaboration with Q’Straint a prototype rear facing station was developed for use in the study. This prototype has been evaluated with a range of wheelchairs and scooters and should be ready for use in this study by the beginning of next year.

Ad c. Sure-Lok shipped the newest prototype of the automated docking device that will be used as the third securement system to be evaluated in LATV’s.

Study protocol:

An IRB protocol has been submitted for approval to the University of Pittsburgh. This protocol includes 2 surveys. One for wheelchair seated passengers and the other for the bus drivers.

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Task P1.2: Development of Improved Concepts and Technologies to Enhance the Independence and Usability of Forward-Facing Wheelchair Passenger Spaces on LATVs

Objectives

• To develop concepts and related innovative technologies directed at resolving the remaining deficiencies in LATV wheelchair transportation, with emphasis on the forward-facing wheelchair transportation station (FF-WPS)
• To initiate technology transfer with an industry partner to further develop and commercialize an innovative and user-friendly FF-WPS

Expected Outputs and Short-Term Outcomes

Expected Outputs

• New and improved concepts and experimental technologies related to forward-facing wheelchair transport on LATVs.
• A laboratory-tested prototype designed to enhance the independence and usability of forward-facing wheelchair passenger stations in LATVs.
• Information such as design guidelines and performance measures that will help guide development of a new industry standard for FF-WPS.
• Dissemination of results via peer-reviewed journals, courses, and technical reports.

Expected Outcome

• Over the long term, a series of innovative standards-compliant products, designed to improve the usability, safety and independence of forward-facing wheelchair transportation in LATVs.

Update July 2007: P1.2

This project has not started.

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Task P1.3: Complete the Development of Voluntary Industry Standards for Large Accessible Transit Vehicles

Objectives

• To provide research and laboratory support for the ongoing development of US and ISO industry standard for rearward-facing wheelchair passenger stations (RF-WPSs) for use in LATVs.
• Provide research and laboratory support for the development of new US and ISO industry standards for forward facing (FF-WPSs) for LATVs. 

Overview

Voluntary industry standards on wheelchair transportation are now having a profound impact on the quality and safety of products that are used by wheelchair users and transport providers throughout the US and other developed countries. The project lead PI has provided the committee leadership for the majority of the wheelchair transportation industry standards that are now published nationally and internationally, and continues to lead the working groups (US and ISO) on the evolving standard for the rear-facing wheelchair passenger station (RF-WPS). This task plans to build on this experience in order to; first, contribute to the completion of the ongoing RF-WPS effort by year 3, and secondly, initiate and support the development of a new forward-facing standard during years 3 to 5.

Expected Outputs and Short-Term Outcomes

Expected Outputs

• Completed ANSI/RESNA and ISO standards for RF-WPS in LATVs
• A FF-WPS standard at the mid stage of development.

Expected Outcome

Continuously improving voluntary industry standards that provide the blueprint for the systematic introduction and long-term improvement of wheelchair passenger stations in LATVs, that offer significantly improved access for wheelchair users, and reduced need for intervention by vehicle operators.

Update July 2007: P1.3 Complete the Development of Voluntary Industry Standards for Large Accessible Transit Vehicles

A CD draft ISO standard on the rear facing passenger space was developed as part of this task and is currently being voted upon by the ISO participating countries. The RERC will participate in submitting voting comments from the US and then will actively participate in formulating the responses of the ISO-WG, as it works through the comments received from the all the participating countries.

As part of the standards development process specifications for a surrogate manual wheelchair and surrogate powered scooter were defined. In order to do this, a database was built with a range of manual wheelchairs and scooters.

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Last updated: March 18, 2008