Special Issue on Wheelchair Transportation Safety – Introduction

Full integration of wheelchair users into our communities and societies is key to maximizing their potential to live productive and fulfilling lives. Transportation plays an important role in meeting this goal. Many wheelchair users travel seated in their wheelchairs and do so using a variety of transport modes; these include private vehicles, fixed-route transit vehicles and demand-responsive vehicles. Wheelchair users travel as both wheelchair-seated drivers and passengers. Safe transportation for these individuals is dependent upon a structurally sound wheelchair, securement of the wheelchair to the vehicle, and use of an appropriately positioned crashworthy occupant restraint system. Moreover, the transportation process, which includes boarding and alighting from the vehicle requires the provision of safe and usable wheelchair ramps or lifts. Each of these components must be designed to function as a cohesive system providing safety, independence and usability for wheelchair users. Language: en