FAQ A9

Wheelchair Transportation Safety/FAQ A9

Where can I get information about the requirements for school buses related to wheelchair transport?

The federal regulations governing the design and construction of yellow school buses are contained in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 222. FMVSS 222 is administered by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). Section S5 of FMVSS-222 deals with transportation of wheelchair-seated students in school buses, and includes the following statements:

S5.4 Each school bus having one or more locations designed for carrying a person seated in a wheelchair shall comply with S5.4.1 through S5.4.4 at each such wheelchair location.

S5.4.1 Wheelchair securement anchorages. Each wheelchair location shall have not less than four wheelchair securement anchorages complying with S5.4.1 through S5.4.1.3.

S5.4.1.1 Each wheelchair securement anchorage shall have a wheelchair securement device complying with S5.4.3 attached to it.

S5.4.1.2 The wheelchair securement anchorages at each wheelchair location shall be situated so that:

  1. a wheelchair can be secured in a forward-facing position.
  2. the wheelchair can be secured by wheelchair securement devices at two locations in the front and two locations in the rear.
  3. the front wheel of a three-wheeled wheelchair can be secured.

S5.4.1.3 Each wheelchair securement anchorage shall be capable of withstanding a force of 13,344 Newtons applied as specified in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section. When more than one securement device shares a common anchorage, the anchorage shall be capable of withstanding a force of 13,344 Newtons multiplied by the number of securement devices sharing that anchorage.

  1. The initial application force shall be applied at an angle of not less than 30 degrees, but not more than 60 degrees, measured from the horizontal. (see figure 4)
  2. The horizontal projection of the force direction shall be within a horizontal arc of +45 degrees relative to a longitudinal line, which has its origin at the anchorage location and projects rearward for an anchorage whose wheelchair securement device is intended to secure the rear of the wheelchair. (see figure 4)
  3. The force shall be applied at the onset rate of not more than 133,440 Newtons per second.
  4. The 13,344 Newton force shall be attained in not more than 30 seconds, and shall be maintained for 10 seconds.

S5.4.2 Wheelchair securement devices. Each wheelchair securement device shall:

  1. If incorporating webbing or a strap
    1. comply with the requirements for Type 1 safety belt systems in S4.3, S4.3, and S4.4(a) of FMVSS No. 209, Seat Belt Assemblies; and
    2. provide a means of adjustment to remove slack from the device.
  2. If not incorporating webbing or a strap, limit movement of the wheelchair through either the equipment design or a means of adjustment.

S5.4.3 Wheelchair occupant restraint anchorages share S5.4.3.1 Each wheelchair location shall have:

  1. not less than one anchorage for the upper end of the upper torso restraint; and
  2. not less than two floor anchorages for wheelchair occupant pelvic and upper torso restraints.

S5.4.3.2 Each wheelchair occupant restraint floor anchorage shall be capable of withstanding a force of 13,344 Newtons applied as specified in paragraphs (a) through (d). When more than one wheelchair occupant restraint share a common anchorage, the anchorage shall be capable of withstanding a force of 13,344 Newtons multiplied by the number of occupant restraints sharing that anchorage.

  1. The initial application force shall be applied at an angle of not less than 45 degrees nor more than 80 degrees, measured from the horizontal (see Figure 5).
  2. The horizontal projection of the force direction shall be within a horizontal arc of +45 degrees relative to a longitudinal line, which has its origin at the anchorage and projects forward. (see Figure 5.)
  3. The force shall be applied at an onset rate of not more than 133,440 Newtons per second.
  4. The 13,344 Newton force shall be attained in not more than 30 seconds, and shall be maintained for 10 seconds.
  5. When a wheelchair securement device and an occupant restraint share a common anchorage, including occupant restraint designs that attach the occupant restraint to the securement device or the wheelchair, the loads specified by

S5.4.1.3 and S5.4.3.2 shall be applied simultaneously, under the conditions specified in S54.3.2 (a) and (b). (see Figure 6.)

S5.4.3.3 Each anchorage for a wheelchair occupant upper torso restraint shall be capable of withstanding a force of 6,672 Newtons applied as specified in paragraphs (a) through (d).

  1. The initial application force shall be applied at a vertical angle of not less than zero degrees, but not more than 40 degrees below a horizontal plane, which passes through the anchorage. (see Figure 7.)
  2. The projection of the force direction onto the horizontal plane shall be between zero and 45 degrees as measured from a longitudinal line with its origin at the anchorage and projecting forward. (see Figure 7.)
  3. The force shall be applied at the onset rate of not more than 66,720 Newtons per second.
  4. The 6,672 Newton force shall be attained in not more than 30 seconds, and shall be maintained for 10 seconds.

S5.4.4 E Wheelchair occupant restraints

  1. Each wheelchair location shall have wheelchair occupant pelvic and upper torso restraints attached to the anchorages required by S5.4.3.
  2. Each wheelchair occupant restraint shall comply with the requirements for Type 2 safety belt systems in S4.2, S4.3, and S4.4 (b) of FMVSS No. 209, Seat Belt Assemblies.