An exploration of the navigational behaviours of people who use wheeled mobility devices in unfamiliar pedestrian environments

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 100975
Author(s):  
Mike Prescott ◽  
William C. Miller ◽  
Jaimie Borisoff ◽  
Polly Tan ◽  
Nova Garside ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobility Devices ◽  
Wheeled Mobility

Validation of the Accessible Lavatory Recommendations for the Next Generation of Accessible Passenger Rail Cars

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Hunter-Zaworski ◽  
Robin Kiff ◽  
Melissa Shurland
Keyword(s):  
Working Group ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Rail Vehicles ◽  
Virtual Models ◽  
Mobility Devices ◽  
Project Objectives ◽  
Wheeled Mobility

The accessible lavatory specifications are part of the recommendations for specifications of the Next Generation of Passenger Rail Vehicles. These are being validated using virtual tools to model wheeled mobility aids with occupants using “concept” lavatories to determine optimal spatial configurations for accessible lavatories on board passenger rail vehicles. The overall project objectives included the development of accessibility specifications for the single and bi-level cars that can be used by the rail manufacturing industry to produce vehicles for high speed (HSR) and intercity passenger rail. The specific objective includes developing “virtual” models of accessible lavatories that incorporate the recommended accessibility specifications reported in paper No. JRC 2013-2554 in the proceedings of the 2013 Joint Rail Conference. The “virtual” models will permit both calibration and validation of the recommendations that were submitted to the PRII A Accessibility Working Group (the Working Group). The Working Group requested that prior to acceptance of the recommendations that they be validated and calibrated. The use of “virtual” validation tools and models permits the development, validation and calibration of different lavatory concepts and configurations prior to any future full scale testing. The construction and testing of full scale models is expensive, and some of the costs can be defrayed through the use of virtual modeling. This project extends the work undertaken in the development of the draft specifications for the accessibility of next generation of passenger rail cars. The draft specifications increase the size of both the wheeled mobility devices and occupants as a reflection of the changes in population demographics, this has prompted the need to develop new accessible lavatories that are more inclusive for the user, and still meet the design constraints of the vehicle builders. The project uses the new recommended design parameters for wheeled mobility devices and the draft guidelines for new accessibility features. Current accessible lavatories that are used on VIA Rail cars in Canada, and the TALGO and the Acela in the US serve as base models for the 2-D and 3-D renderings. These designs are optimized, validated, and calibrated with mannequins that represent the 5th and 95th percentile populations on large wheeled mobility devices including; sport manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs and 4 wheel scooters that meet the 30 inch wide by 54 inch long footprint. It is known that some accessible lavatories that on are on existing rolling stock do not meet the needs of all customers. This project will provide quantitative measures to evaluate current designs and recommend future designs that are more inclusive.

Recommendations for the PRIIA Specifications on the Next Generation of Accessible Passenger Rail Cars

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Hunter-Zaworski ◽  
Uwe Rutenberg ◽  
Melissa Shurland
Keyword(s):  
Communication Systems ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Mobile Media ◽  
Population Demographics ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Rail Vehicles ◽  
Mobility Devices ◽  
Seating Location ◽  
Broad Cross Section ◽  
Wheeled Mobility

The recommendations for the new PRIIA specifications of the Next Generation of Accessible Passenger rail cars take access by people with disabilities to a new level of inclusion. The recommendations under consideration are more responsive to changes in population demographics and reflect the changes in wheeled mobility devices technologies. The new recommendations are evidence based on research, and the development process involves a broad cross section of the passenger rail industry as well as federal agencies responsible for accessibility. The recommendations focus on making the next generation of passenger rail cars more inclusive and accessible. The recommendations incorporate changes in population demographics and wheeled mobility technologies and go above and beyond current Americans with Disabilities Act regulations that were written over twenty years ago. Specifically that the US population is getting older and more obese. In most US states between 20 and 30% of the population show a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30. Some examples of the new recommendations include the following; the wheelchair lift minimum payload will be increased from 600 to 800 pounds, the lift platform will be extended in length from 30 × 48 to 30 × 54 inches, and the maneuvering and accessible seating location is increased to 32 inches wide by 59 inches long. A new recommendation for making the rail car vestibule more accessible for a 90 degree turn includes increasing the vestibule width from 42 to 44 inches. These recommendations will make passenger rail cars accessible to about 90 percent of the current users of wheeled mobility devices. Currently the passenger rail vehicles can only accommodate approximately 50 percent of wheeled mobility devices. There are also provisions in the new recommendations for improving the accessible restroom and its components, even though some of the current passenger rail vehicles have reasonably accessible lavatories. The new recommendations include space for dependent and independent transfers in the restroom and will provide a more consistent level of accessibility for all the new passenger rail cars. Space is recommended for the accommodation of service animal in each car. The new recommendations also include enhanced provisions for passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing. At a minimum the recommendations incorporate current technologies that are used in transit vehicles for dual mode communication, and also include suggestions for accessible real time passenger information and communication systems, and making information accessible on personal mobile media. The new recommendations are in the validation and approval process. As a first step, the recommendations will be approved by the PRIIA Section 305 Next Generation Equipment Committee.

scholarly journals Functional Mobility Outcomes in Telehealth and In-Person Assessments for Wheeled Mobility Devices

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-34
Author(s):  
Mitchell Bell ◽  
Richard M. Schein ◽  
Joseph Straatmann ◽  
Brad E. Dicianno ◽  
Mark R. Schmeler
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Significance ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Functional Mobility ◽  
Individual Item ◽  
Mobility Assessment ◽  
Mobility Devices ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Wheeled Mobility ◽  
Delivery Models ◽  
Clinic Group

The purpose of this study was to compare telehealth and in-person service delivery models for wheeled mobility devices in terms of functional outcomes. We hypothesized that clinically significant improvements in functional mobility measured by the Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA) will occur in individuals receiving both telehealth and in-person clinic evaluations. A total of 27 Veterans receiving telehealth visits were compared to 27 individuals seen in clinic, selected from a database, matching for age, gender, and primary diagnosis. All mean individual item and total FMA scores in both groups increased from Time 1 to Time 2. Within the telehealth group, all changes in individual item and total FMA scores were statistically significant, with changes in 8 of 10 items meeting threshold for clinical significance (change >1.85 points). Within the clinic group, changes in 7 of 10 individual items and total FMA scores were statistically significant, and these same 7 items met threshold for clinical significance. Change scores for individual item and total FMA scores did not differ significantly between the two groups. A larger and clinically significant change in transfer score was seen in the telehealth group, suggesting telehealth visits may confer an advantage in being able to assess and address transfer issues in the home.

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