steve wheelchair securements and passenger restraints

Best Practices of Securing Wheelchairs and Restraining Passengers as defined by SAE J2249.

Prepared by Steve Oss

The goal of this training is toThe goal of this training is to

assist individuals and transit assist individuals and transit organizationsorganizations

CFR TITLE 49 – TRANSPORTATION (03 – 01 – 11 Edition)

Subtitle A - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION

Part 37 - TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES (ADA)

Part 38 - AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) ACCESSIBILITY SPECIFICATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES

Of course I’ve heard of the ADA.

What does the ADA actually say?

But…

PART 37Subpart A – General 37.3 Definitions

A “common wheelchair'' is such a device which does not exceed 30 inches in width and 48 inches in length measured two inches above the ground, and does not weigh more than 600 pounds when occupied. **Notice that the definition does not include anything about brakes on the wheelchair or condition of the wheelchair. The size definition changed in June 2011 to basically read “If it fits it ships”, it needs to fit in the securement area without encroaching on the aisle.

PART 37Subpart G – Provision of Service37.163 Keeping vehicle lifts in operative condition: Public entities.

(b) The entity shall establish a system of regular and frequent maintenance checks of lifts sufficient to determine if they are operative.

(b) All common wheelchairs and their users shall be transported in the entity’s vehicles

PART 37Subpart G – Provision of Service37.165 Lift and securement use.

(c)(1) For vehicles complying with part 38 of this title, the entity shall use the securement system to secure wheelchairs

(2) For other vehicles…the entity shall provide and use a securement system to ensure that the wheelchair remains within the securement area.


(c)(3) The entity may require that an individual permit his or her wheelchair to be secured.


(d) The entity may not deny transportation to a wheelchair or its user on the ground that the device cannot be secured or restrained satisfactorily by the vehicle’s securement system.


(e) The entity may recommend to a user of a wheelchair that the individual transfer to a vehicle seat.

(f) Where necessary or upon request, the entity’s personnel shall assist individuals with disabilities with the use of securement systems, ramps and lifts.


(g) The entity shall permit individuals with disabilities who do not use wheelchairs, including standees, to use a vehicle’s lift or ramp to enter the vehicle.

(i) The entity shall ensure that adequate time is provided to allow individuals with disabilities to complete boarding or disembarking from the vehicle.

PART 37Subpart G – Provision of Service37.167 Other service requirements.


(j)(1) When an individual with a disability enters a vehicle, and because of a disability, the individual needs to sit in a seat or occupy a wheelchair securement location, the entity shall ask the following persons to move in order to allow the individual with a disability to occupy the seat or securement location:

(ii) Individuals sitting in or a folddown or other movable seat in a wheelchair securement location.


(i) Individuals, except other individuals with a disability or elderly persons, sitting in a location designated as priority seating for elderly and handicapped persons (or other seat as necessary).


(3) The entity is not required to enforce the request that other passengers move from priority seating areas or wheelchair securement locations.

PART 37Subpart G – Provision of Service37.173 Training requirements.

Each public or private entity which operates a fixed route or demand responsive system shall ensure that personnel are trained to proficiency, as appropriate to their duties…

What does proficiency actually mean?

What does proficiency actually mean?

Webster New World DictionaryProficient – (pro.fish.ent) adj. - … highly competent; skilled; adept – -n. an expert – pro.ficiency

PART 38 Accessibility Specifications for Transportation VehiclesSubpart B38.23 Mobility aid accessibility.(a) At least two securement locations and devices, complying with paragraph (d) of this section, shall be provided on vehicles in excess of 22 feet in length; at least one securement location and device, complying with paragraph (d) of this section, shall be provided on vehicles 22 feet in length or less.

PART 38 Accessibility Specifications for Transportation VehiclesSubpart B38.23 Mobility aid accessibility.(b) Vehicle lift – (1) Design load. The design load of the lift shall be at least 600 pounds.

(12) Use by standees. Lifts shall accommodate persons using walkers, crutches, canes or braces or who otherwise have difficulty using steps.

(11) Boarding Direction. The lift shall permit both inboard and outboard facing of wheelchair and mobility aid users.

PART 38 Accessibility Specifications for Transportation VehiclesSubpart B38.23 Mobility aid accessibility.(d) Securement devices – (2) Location & size. The securement system shall be placed as near to the accessible entrance as practicable and shall have a clear floor area of 30 inches by 48 inches.

(3) Mobility aids accommodated. The securement system shall secure common wheelchairs and mobility aids and shall either be automatic or easily attached by a person familiar with the system and mobility aid and having average dexterity.

Did you notice the predicament that the driver was potentially just placed in?

CompatibilityPART 37

Subpart A – General

37.3 Definitions

A “common wheelchair'' is such a device which does not exceed 30 inches in width and 48 inches in length measured two inches above the ground, and does not weigh more than 600 pounds when occupied.

PART 38 Accessibility Specifications for Transportation VehiclesSubpart B38.23 Mobility aid accessibility.

(d) Securement devices – (2) Location & size. The securement system shall be placed as near to the accessible entrance as practicable and shall have a clear floor area of 30 inches by 48 inches.

So… What does all this mean?

And how am I supposed to interpret all of this information?

Fortunately, there are several agencies that have worked on this and their research is what we can establish our practices on.ANSIISORESNA

NIDRRRERCSAE

AbbreviationsADA: Americans with

Disabilities ActANSI: American National

Standards InstituteCFR: Code of Federal

Regulations ISO: International

Standardization Organization

NIDRR: The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research

RERC: Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center

RESNA: Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America

SAE: Society of Automotive Engineers

WTORS: Wheelchair Tiedown and Occupant Restraint Systems

WTS: Wheelchair Transportation Safety

ANSI, RESNA and ISO have worked together since the early 1980’s on establishing standards for wheelchairs.

SAE J2249With the research that had been done, the SAE issued a report entitled J2249 in 1996 that established the “best practices” for securing wheelchairs and restraining passengers.

The system was called WTORS.

WTORS

Wheelchair Tiedown and Occupant Restraint System

The “System” consisted of:Four point securements for the wheelchair.Wheelchair securements are referred to as straps.

Three point restraints for the passenger.Passenger restraints are referred to as belts.

A compliant WTORS securement is currently the most secure way of transporting a passenger in a

wheelchair.However, there are

drawbacks:Invasion of personal spaceLengthy securement timesRequires assistance

Extensive training

Undefined securement points

WC19-Compliant Wheelchairs

SECTION 19 ANSI/RESNA WC/VOL. 1 Wheelchairs for use

in Motor VehiclesThis is a voluntary industry standard for the design of wheelchairs that are intended to be occupied while being transported.

So what is a WC19 wheelchair?

Four permanently attached and labeled securement pointsSecurement points will accept either straps or hooksAll securement points have easy accessA clear path of travel for vehicle mounted occupant restraint system

The wheelchair will have anchor points for an optional wheelchair anchored seatbelt

Integrated Seatbelt Design

Integrated seat belts

Allow for a custom fit

No invasion of personal spaceNot dependant on an attendant for seat belt usage

It is not a postural support belt!!

Automated Wheelchair Docking

What is an Automated Wheelchair Docking System?

This is a system that could become the norm in the future.

The passenger is able to secure and release their wheelchair with no assistance.

There would need to be an established standard for all docking systems to work together.

Rear Facing Wheelchair Containment

Rear Facing Wheelchair Containment

What is this?

This is also known as a Passive Restraint System

Standards for passive restraints are currently being studied.Here is how the system works:The passenger enters the securement area so that their wheelchair is facing backwards.The back of their wheelchair goes up against a wall.An arm comes down on the aisle side of the wheelchair so that the wheelchair is now contained on three sides.

This system will equally protect all wheelchairs and their occupants

Rapid boarding and deboarding of passengers.

The upside

No extensive training for the drivers.No invasion of personal space for the passenger.

The downside

Standards are not yet currently established.Takes up a little more floor space.Only used on Fixed Route buses.

So do people occupying wheelchairs in vehicles really get injured more than people who aren’t occupying a wheelchair?In a 2005 study by Songer, it showed passengers occupying wheelchairs were injured at a rate of 3.6 per 100,000 miles.

Compare that to 0.08 injuries per 100,000 miles for the general population.That is an increase of 45 times for those in wheelchairs

Studies in 2007 and 2009 by Frost & Bertocci have indicated that passengers in wheelchairs have increased injuries and fatalities in low – g and non-impact events.

Just turning and hard braking can cause a passenger in a wheelchair to come out of the wheelchair or have an improperly secured wheelchair tip over.

Many passengers who use wheelchairs are unable to brace or balance themselves and thus are at an increased risk for falling.

REDUCING OR ELIMINATING SECUREMENT ERRORS

Passengers need to understand the need to transfer out of non – compliant WC 19 wheelchairs.Drivers need to make sure that the securement task is completed to standard each and every time.Supervisors need to make sure that drivers are complying with the standards.Entities need to enforce policies such as size and weight restrictions that support safe transportation for all passengers.

And the benefits are…

•Routes running more timely•Fewer driver injuries•Fewer passenger injuries•Reduced claims of injury ability to mitigate •Less confusion when there is clear understanding•Doing the “Right thing” by providing safe transportation

ResourcesANSI - American National Standards InstituteISO - International Standardization OrganizationNTI - National Transit InstituteNIDRR - The National Institute on Disability and

Rehabilitation and ResearchRERC - Rehabilitation Engineering Research

CenterRESNA - Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive

Technology Society of North AmericaSAE - Society of Automotive Engineers

steve wheelchair securements and passenger restraints

Documents