RERC on Wheelchair Transportation Safety
January 17-18, 2005 • Orlando, FL
Theme 1
Slide1
RERC on Wheelchair Transportation Safety
State of Science Workshop
Theme 1 -
Barriers to the Development, Marketing, Purchase, and Proper Use of Transit-Safety Technologies (TST)
Theme Leader: Larry Schneider
Co-Leaders: Miriam Manary; Mary Ellen Buning
Facilitator: Mary Ellen Buning
Slide 2
Theme 1- Barriers
Presentation Overview
1 Terminology - "Transit-Safety Technologies"
2 Basis for, key requirements of, TST standards
3 Barriers identified in white paper
4 Leader Comment
5 Questions for BOG
6 Response/Discussion
Slide 3
"Transit-Safety Technologies" (TST)
Equipment that complies with voluntary standards:
1) Wheelchair Tiedown and Occupant Restraint Systems (WTORS)
Slide 4
"Transit-Safety Technologies" (TST)
Equipment that complies with voluntary standards:
2) Transit Wheelchairs (complete)
Slide 5
5 TST Voluntary Standards
WTORS
SAE J2249
ISO 10542-1 thru 5
CSA Z605
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Slide 6
Fundamental Principles Behind
Voluntary Standards
Adhere to basic principles of occupant restraint/protection
Slide 7
Fundamental Principles Behind
Voluntary Standards
Adhere to basic principles of occupant restraint/protection
Comparable to equipment regulated by FMVSS ==> dynamic testing
Slide 8
Fundamental Principles Behind
Voluntary Standards
Adhere to basic principles of occupant restraint/protection
Comparable to equipment regulated by FMVSS ==> dynamic testing
Suitable for Use in all vehicles ==> nominal worst-case crash testing
Slide 9
Key Requirements of Standards
WTORS and Wheelchairs
Forward facing in vehicle
Frontal impact test at 30 mph/20-g<
Slide 10
Key Requirements of Standards
WTORS
Three-point belt restraint required
Slide 11
Key Requirements of Standards
WTORS
Three-point belt restraint
Any type of WC tiedown allowed
Slide 12
Key Requirements of Standards
WTORS
Three-point belt restraint
Any type of WC tiedown
Dynamically load WTORS with 187-lb SWC and 170-lb crash dummy
Slide 13
Key Requirements of Standards
Wheelchairs
Compatibility between WC and vehicle securement methods ==> four-point strap-type tiedown (plus provision for other methods of WC securement)
Slide 14
Key Requirements of Standards
Wheelchairs
Compatibility between WC and vehicle securement methods ==> four-point strap-type tiedown
2) Crash dummy size is based on wheelchair capacity
Slide 15
Theme 1
Key Underlying Question
Given that TST enhance wheelchair occupant safety and now that TST voluntary standards for WTORS and wheelchairs have been in place for 4 to 8 years, why are products that comply with these standards not more widely available and used?
i.e., What are the barriers to transit-safety technologies (TST)?
Slide 16
White Paper
Identifies Five Barriers
Liability concerns - law suits
Lack of knowledge; misinformation
Cost
Voluntary nature of standard
Requirements too high
Slide 17
Sixth Barrier?
Liability Concerns - law suits
Lack of Knowledge; misinformation
Cost
Voluntary Nature of Standard
Requirements too high
Lack of usability in design?
Slide 18
Two Points About TST Barriers
Slide 19
Two Points About TST Barriers
Slide 20
Barrier #1
Liability Concerns
Primarily a concern for WC manufacturers
- not addressing WCs as vehicle seats is safer than addressing by designing/testing to TST standards
Results in:
reluctance to bring TST products to the marketplace
Limitations on sale of TST products based on:
Occupant size
Source of seating system
Slide 21
Barrier #2
Lack of Knowledge
Don’t know about TST, especially transit wheelchairs
Misunderstanding of what TST mean/imply about product design and features - e.g., conflict with other WC user needs
Don’t understand the safety issues and need for proper WC securement and occupant restraint - e.g., Medicaid decisions to pay for transit option on WCs
Slide 22
Barrier #3
Cost
Additional design, development, testing costs for manufacturers
Coverage for TST costs by third-party payers:
Third-party payers don’t appreciate the safety/health implications ==> lack of knowledge/understanding
No FDA code for transit option features
Purchase and installation of WTORS
Transit providers
Forward facing less efficient packaging of WC travelers than side facing
Slide 23
Barrier #4
Voluntary Nature of Standards
Requirements are not federally regulated
Other factors can motivate TST usage
States/districts can set policies/guidelines
Liability concerns
Dissemination of TST product information: e.g., RERC WTS website ==> consumer demand ==> marketplace competition (safety sells)
Slide 24
Barrier #5
Requirements Too High
Applies to larger vehicles - Nominal worst-case crash severity for all vehicles is problematic in large fixed-route transit vehicles
ADA requirements less severe/more vague
Slide 25
Barrier Lack of Usability in WTORS’ Design
Significant improvements have been made in WTORS with four-point tiedowns
Slide 26
Barrier Lack of Usability in WTORS’ Design
Significant improvements have been made in WTORS with four-point tiedowns
Actual problem is more likely: the wide range of non-transit wheelchairs
the use of one-crash-severity for all vehicles
Slide 27
Theme 1
Final Comment
As we consider the future direction of transportation safety for WC-seated travelers, particularly in Themes 3 and 4, we also need to keep our focus on what we’ve already accomplished and work see the full implementation of the potential for current TST voluntary standards.
Slide 28
Theme 1
BOG Questions
T1Q1: What are the main barriers to the development, marketing, purchase, and use of products that comply with existing voluntary WTORS and wheelchair safety standards?
Slide 29
Theme 1
BOG Questions
T1Q1: What are the main barriers to the development, marketing, purchase, and use of products that comply with existing voluntary WTORS and wheelchair safety standards?
T1Q2-Q4: What are the most effective strategies or mechanisms for resolving the first, second, and third ranked barriers identified by the ranking of T1Q1?
Slide 30
Theme 1
Responses/Discussion
