Citation

Kooi J, Janssen EG. Proc. IRCOBI 1987; 15: 167-179.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The tno road-vehicles research institute is involved in a long-term research program on the transport of wheelchair occupants. The objective of this program was to develop requirements regarding the safety and operation of wheelchair occupant protection systems. Many users and experts in this field had their doubts about the safety of these systems. Therefore normal and extreme driving maneuvers were simulated to evaluate the strength and the stability of some presently used Dutch protection systems. In addition dynamic sled tests were carried out, simulating different types of crashes. The handling of the systems was also evaluated. The tests showed that even light impacts or sudden maneuvers can induce failure of the used protection systems. The results of this experimental test program are presented in this paper and recommendations are made for future regulations in this field. Guidelines for improved wheelchair occupant protection system design are also included. (Author/TRRL)