Project Lead - S Park
Project Team - S Sivakanthan, B Daveler, GG Grindle, R Cooper, RA Cooper
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) unanimously adopted a landmark industry resolution which re-affirmed commitment of member airlines to provide safe, reliable, and dignified travel for PWD. IATA launched a global Mobility Aids Action Group (MAAG) to examine and improve the journey of mobility aid users, including WC. The use of WC securement systems in airplane cabins is an appealing solution to the hardships faced by some PWD. Currently, passengers cannot use their personal PW as a seat in the same way they can with ground transportation, including many trains, buses, and vans. A consensus report from the NASEM-TRB suggests that the engineering challenges are technically feasible. [24] Further exploration is needed to determine the market need and FAA requirements for securing personal PW in commercial airplanes. Airlines are beginning to recognize that accessibility is a fundamental part of economic and social sustainability, and that it may improve the experience for all customers. This research aims to explore and discover guidelines to enable PW users to access and use their PW as a seat in commercial airplanes. The purpose of this project is to develop a research data-driven consensus proposal to submit to Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) to form a standard working group to assist PW manufacturers and commercial airline interior designers, ensuring compatibility and suitability for use of PW as seats in commercial airlines.
The Specific Aims (SA) of this project include: SA1) estimate pent-up demand among PW users to travel on commercial airlines, SA2) identify PW users’ needs and pain points related to using commercial airlines, SA3) determine essential design and functional specifications for PW to be compatible and suitable to be used as seats in commercial airlines, SA4) determine design specifications for wheelchair-accessible aircraft cabins with docking area for PW. SA5) create and submit a proposal to the RESNA Assistive Technology Standards (ATS) Board to create applicable standards.