Affiliations: Transportation Research Institute, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA | Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Miriam Manary, UMTRI -- Biosciences, 2901
Baxter Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2150, USA. Tel.: +1 734 936 1108; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Occupant restraint systems are designed based on knowledge of crash
dynamics and the application of proven occupant-protection principles. For
ambulatory children or children who use wheelchairs but can transfer out of
their wheelchair when traveling in motor vehicles, there is a range of child
safety seats that comply with federal safety standards and that therefore offer
high levels of crash protection. For children who remain seated in wheelchairs
for travel, the use of wheelchairs and wheelchair tiedown and occupant
restraint systems (WTORS) that comply with voluntary industry standards
significantly enhances safety. Revisions to the initial versions of these
standards will further improve safety for smaller children who travel seated in
wheelchairs by requiring wheelchairs for children between 13 and 22 kg (18 and
50 lb) to provide a five-point, wheelchair-integrated crash-tested harness
similar to that used in forward-facing child safety seats. While wheelchair and
tiedown/restraint manufacturers, van modifiers, transportation personnel,
clinicians, and others involved with children who use wheelchairs have clearly
defined responsibilities relative to providing these children with safe
transportation, parents and caregivers should be knowledgeable about
best-practice in wheelchair transportation safety and should use this knowledge
to advocate for the safest transportation possible.
