Citation

Stewart CF, Reinl HG. Transp. Res. Rec. 1976; 578: 29-39.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

California has no standard specifications or regulations that specifically address the construction and outfitting of special school buses that transport students confined to wheelchairs. The standard requirements for regular school buses are not suited for buses that carry wheelchairs. Therefore, whenever a new wheelchair bus is proposed, the California Department of Education must issue an exemption from the regular school bus requirement. This practice has led to inconsistency in approved systems. A study was made to assist the department in developing specifications for its wheelchair school buses. In particular, outfitting components, such as loading and securing equipment, were addressed. The study involved visiting 21 organizations including school districts, transportation contractors, and suppliers; documenting systems; and evaluating equipment. This report presents not only findings and specification recommendations but also several questions raised during the study on the behavior of wheelchairs and associated hardware during a vehicular accident. Some of these questions can be answered only by dynamic testing of the equipment.