Guide

5.2 Lifts, ramps, wheelchair tie-downs, and passenger securements
Vehicles used for the transport of wheelchairs and their users will be either a small vehicle,
such as a metered taxi, where there is a space dedicated for the accommodation of one
person seated in a wheelchair, or a mini-bus, van, or larger vehicle capable of carrying
multiple persons using wheelchairs.
Seating: Mini-buses and other vehicles may have the capability to change their internal layout
by removing seats to make space for wheelchairs and occupants.
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Bonded floor systems, Illus-
trated in the photo at left, can
provide a simple means to
achieve a flat floor with
parallel tracking to aid seat
fitting. This ‘flexible layout’
approach can allow vehicle
operators to maximize the use
of their vehicles as they
respond to different transport
requirements as demand
requires. In this way,
maximum return on vehicle
investment can be achieved.
Removable seat fittings and tracked floor systems, shown below, can be used to quickly
remove seats as required.
Wheelchairs
The types of wheelchairs used by many people with disabilities will vary according to their
individual needs, the extent of disability, or the requirement for sometimes complex seating
support surfaces.
A primary design requirement for a manual folding-type wheelchair is to be able to reduce its
size and lift it into the back of a car or storage area. Manual folding wheelchairs will generally
weigh approximately 20 kg, or thereabouts. Manual folding wheelchairs may be userpropelled
with large rear wheels so that they may be pushed by the user, or they may have
small rear wheels if intended to be propelled by an attendant or care-giver.