GRSP December 2004 The Safety of Wheelchair Occupants in Road Transport Vehicles Donald Macdonald Head of Engineering and Research Mobility & Inclusion Unit Department for Transport Donald Macdonald Head of Engineering and Research Mobility & Inclusion Unit Department for Transport Informal document No. GRSP (36 th GRSP, 7-10 December 2004, agenda item B.3.3.)

European Community and UNECE European Community has developed Directives on vehicle safety and environmental matters Directives often mirror UNECE Regulations 2001/85/EC is based on UNECE Regulations 36, 52 and but consolidates all provisions in one document UNECE Regulations did not have provisions for safety of wheelchair users so EC Directive introduced standards European Community has developed Directives on vehicle safety and environmental matters Directives often mirror UNECE Regulations 2001/85/EC is based on UNECE Regulations 36, 52 and but consolidates all provisions in one document UNECE Regulations did not have provisions for safety of wheelchair users so EC Directive introduced standards

Development of UNECE Equivalent UNECE Regulation is 107 Rev 01 Scope is M2 and M3 Vehicles (more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver) Has provisions for wheelchair tiedowns and occupant restraints Equivalent UNECE Regulation is 107 Rev 01 Scope is M2 and M3 Vehicles (more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver) Has provisions for wheelchair tiedowns and occupant restraints

GRSG Ad hoc Group on Accessibility Development of accessibility provisions in Regulation Includes general accessibility as well as wheelchair user provisions Steps, handrails, priority seats, gangways, floor slopes, colour contrasts, route and destination displays Development of accessibility provisions in Regulation Includes general accessibility as well as wheelchair user provisions Steps, handrails, priority seats, gangways, floor slopes, colour contrasts, route and destination displays

Buses Main Requirements Step height 250mm Kneeling Step edge marking Handrails both sides And to priority seats Floor covering Colour contrast Main Requirements Step height 250mm Kneeling Step edge marking Handrails both sides And to priority seats Floor covering Colour contrast

Coaches Main Requirements Step height 320mm Kneeling Step edge marking Handrails on both sides Floor covering Colour contrast Main Requirements Step height 320mm Kneeling Step edge marking Handrails on both sides Floor covering Colour contrast

User need - the passengers Two thirds of disabled people are elderly Over half the population aged 75+ has a disability In the next 40 years the population aged 65+ will double the population aged over 80 will treble In the same period the overall population will increase by less than 7% Two thirds of disabled people are elderly Over half the population aged 75+ has a disability In the next 40 years the population aged 65+ will double the population aged over 80 will treble In the same period the overall population will increase by less than 7%

Numbers of Disabled People in UK 8.7 million people have loss of hearing 6 million have cognitive impairment 2 million have low vision 1.5 million have ambulatory disabilities 1 million wheelchair users 10 million in total 8.7 million people have loss of hearing 6 million have cognitive impairment 2 million have low vision 1.5 million have ambulatory disabilities 1 million wheelchair users 10 million in total

Non Statutory Standards ISO Wheelchair Tiedown and Occupant Restraint Systems ISO 7176 Part 19 - Wheelchairs ISO Wheelchair Tiedown and Occupant Restraint Systems ISO 7176 Part 19 - Wheelchairs

Buses - Technical Requirements Defined wheelchair space 1300 x 750 x 1500mm Boarding device - ramp or lift Rearward facing wheelchair space in a protected area Padded head and back restraint Vertical stanchion, retractable rail, partition or sidewall Defined wheelchair space 1300 x 750 x 1500mm Boarding device - ramp or lift Rearward facing wheelchair space in a protected area Padded head and back restraint Vertical stanchion, retractable rail, partition or sidewall

Taxis Includes all taxis Technical provisions for wheelchair users will be similar to those for buses and trains Includes all taxis Technical provisions for wheelchair users will be similar to those for buses and trains

Background to Wheelchair User Safety Research Project No previous fundamental research using instrumented dummies Funded by the UK Department for Transport Guided by a steering committee of stakeholders Cost over £ No previous fundamental research using instrumented dummies Funded by the UK Department for Transport Guided by a steering committee of stakeholders Cost over £

Project Aim Provide an appropriate level of safety for wheelchair users in passenger vehicles Use conventionally seated passenger safety for comparison Aim for equivalent or better levels of safety Where necessary, recommend changes to legislation Provide an appropriate level of safety for wheelchair users in passenger vehicles Use conventionally seated passenger safety for comparison Aim for equivalent or better levels of safety Where necessary, recommend changes to legislation

Project Scope Passenger carrying vehicles Vehicle categories: M1:  8 seats + driver M2: > 8 seats + driver;  5 tonnes M3: > 8 seats + driver; > 5 tonnes Address implications for vehicle, assuming current wheelchairs and restraint systems Frontal Impacts Only Passenger carrying vehicles Vehicle categories: M1:  8 seats + driver M2: > 8 seats + driver;  5 tonnes M3: > 8 seats + driver; > 5 tonnes Address implications for vehicle, assuming current wheelchairs and restraint systems Frontal Impacts Only

Research parameters Use ECE R44 pulse (48-50 kph) for M1 & M2 vehicles Use ECE R80 pulse (30 kph) for M3 vehicles 4 wheelchair types: Low mass manual Electric High mass electric ISO surrogate (very stiff) Use ECE R44 pulse (48-50 kph) for M1 & M2 vehicles Use ECE R80 pulse (30 kph) for M3 vehicles 4 wheelchair types: Low mass manual Electric High mass electric ISO surrogate (very stiff)

Wheelchair types Low mass manualElectric High mass electricSurrogate

Modelling Study Modelling study carried out first Results used to guide test programme Modelling study carried out first Results used to guide test programme

Modelling Study Models of taxi & bus interiors developed

Modelling Study 44 analyses in total: 3 wheelchair types 3 dummy sizes 2 tie-down systems 2 diagonal restraint mounting positions 3 vehicle types (taxi/minibus/bus) forward and rear facing 44 analyses in total: 3 wheelchair types 3 dummy sizes 2 tie-down systems 2 diagonal restraint mounting positions 3 vehicle types (taxi/minibus/bus) forward and rear facing

Modelling Study Diagonal belt anchored to floor Diagonal belt anchored to upper position

Modelling Study Issues identified by modelling study: Location of diagonal belt upper anchorage Influence of head & back restraint Issues identified by modelling study: Location of diagonal belt upper anchorage Influence of head & back restraint

Test Programme 37 impact tests carried out in total: M1/M2 forward facing:8 tests M1/M2 rear facing:10 tests M3 forward facing:13 tests M3 rear facing:6 tests 37 impact tests carried out in total: M1/M2 forward facing:8 tests M1/M2 rear facing:10 tests M3 forward facing:13 tests M3 rear facing:6 tests

Test Programme Variables: 4 wheelchair types 3 dummy sizes 3 types of occupant restraint 3 variations of head and back restraint 3 types of tie-down (2-point, 4-point & clamp) Variables: 4 wheelchair types 3 dummy sizes 3 types of occupant restraint 3 variations of head and back restraint 3 types of tie-down (2-point, 4-point & clamp)

Test Programme Parameters Hybrid III dummies used (5 th, 50 th and 95 th percentiles) Instrumented at head, neck, chest, pelvis and lumbar Belt and anchorage loads also recorded Comparisons made against conventional injury criteria Hybrid III dummies used (5 th, 50 th and 95 th percentiles) Instrumented at head, neck, chest, pelvis and lumbar Belt and anchorage loads also recorded Comparisons made against conventional injury criteria

Test Programme Outputs Risk to a wheelchair seated occupant compared to a vehicle seated occupant Merits of a head and back restraint Merits of different occupant restraint systems ‘Flail’ space requirements Anchorage load requirements Risk to a wheelchair seated occupant compared to a vehicle seated occupant Merits of a head and back restraint Merits of different occupant restraint systems ‘Flail’ space requirements Anchorage load requirements

Test Programme Recommendations Energy absorbing head and back restraint greatly reduces likelihood of neck injury Upper anchorage for diagonal occupant restraint preferable to floor mounted Current vehicle anchorage strengths insufficient Results dependant on strength of wheelchair itself (not covered by this project) Energy absorbing head and back restraint greatly reduces likelihood of neck injury Upper anchorage for diagonal occupant restraint preferable to floor mounted Current vehicle anchorage strengths insufficient Results dependant on strength of wheelchair itself (not covered by this project)

Test Programme Conclusions Wheelchair seated occupants can be provided with an equivalent level of safety to conventionally seated occupants with appropriate changes in vehicle legislation

Important Lessons Thousands of wheelchair users travel daily Research is seeking to make improvements to their safety over time Need to ensure that improvements are realistic and cost effective Must not restrict disabled people’s mobility Thousands of wheelchair users travel daily Research is seeking to make improvements to their safety over time Need to ensure that improvements are realistic and cost effective Must not restrict disabled people’s mobility

Next steps Development of international regulations - Bus Directive 2001/85/EC and UNECE Regulation 107 Ensure GRSG and GRSP are aware of progress Develop appropriate standards for wheelchair users in M1 vehicles Development of international regulations - Bus Directive 2001/85/EC and UNECE Regulation 107 Ensure GRSG and GRSP are aware of progress Develop appropriate standards for wheelchair users in M1 vehicles

More information DfT website: UNECE website DfT website: UNECE website