Manual wheelchair propulsion on ramp slopes encountered when boarding public transit buses

Abstract

Ascending bus ramps require greater power and pushrim force on steeper ramp slopes, presenting a potential barrier to transportation accessibility. Given this finding, it is imperative that bus operators minimize ramp slope to assure MWC users are able to access LATVs. Implications for Rehabilitation Although transit bus ramps are intended to provide wheelchair access to public transportation, limitations in MWC user physical strength and function may prevent safe access. Transit bus ramp slopes encountered during ingress can present a challenge to MWC users given power output and pushrim force requirements to ascend the ramp. MWC users and therapists should be aware of ramp slopes that may be encountered when boarding transit buses; wheelchair training should incorporate skills needed to ascend transit bus ramps.

Manual wheelchair biomechanics while overcoming various environmental barriers: A systematic review

“…One study investigated the kinetics of both wheels using only one instrumented wheel mounted separately on the right and left sides in different trials [ 49 ]. Two of the ten studies which used only one instrumented wheel reported having mounted a matching "dummy" wheel on the opposite side to ensure inertial symmetry [ 7 , 13 ].…”

“…overground), MWC speed was found to decrease with increasing slope. Contradictory results were obtained on cycle frequency: MWU tended to increase their cycle frequency with slope on a long ramp [ 24 ], whereas AB decreased cycle frequency with slope on a short ramp [ 7 , 48 ]. Moreover, when the MWC speed was constant across the different slope inclinations (speed imposed by the treadmill belt), cycle frequency tended to increase with increasing slope in SCI subjects [ 28 , 29 ], but was not affected with AB subjects [ 13 ].…”

“…on a motorized treadmill), the push phase duration was not modified [ 13 , 28 , 29 ] by slope. On the opposite, in overground and stationary ergometer studies, where speed was self-selected, push phase duration increased with the grade [ 7 , 24 , 30 , 36 , 45 , 48 , 49 ]. All studies reported a decrease in recovery phase duration with the increase of slope inclination.…”

“…However, the regulations are mainly based on the aspects of required space and maximum slope inclination [ 5 ]. Despite the improvement of the overall accessibility of public areas, these regulations remain unsatisfactory for a large proportion of MWC users [ 5 – 7 ].…”

Rehabilitation: mobility, exercise & sports; a critical position stand on current and future research perspectives

“…In daily life, power output in wheelchair propulsion is the sum of internal and rolling resistance, gravitational force (up an incline or slope), and air friction. Recently, Bertocci et al presented a biomechanical delineation of different slopes for public buses and their effects on push biomechanics in seven novice non-wheelchair users [45].…”