Development of instrumentation and protocol to measure the dynamic environment of a modified van

The dynamic environment of a van modified to accommodate a person driving from a wheelchair was measured to determine the effects of position within the van and the type of seat used. The project measured accelerations as a subject sat in three positions within the van and upon two different seats. Three separate van maneuvers at different speeds were used to change the dynamic environment. Van accelerations at the different positions varied significantly. A wheelchair transmitted more accelerations to the subject than the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) seat, making it harder to maintain a stable posture. These results should prove useful to others studying the functional abilities of wheelchair users within a vehicle environment.