Hi folks
I'm trying to get information on possible approaches for evacuating
wheelchair users or other persons with mobility difficulties from inter-city
coaches.
One of the coach companies here in Ireland has added some coaches with
wheelchair lifts to its fleet. As you may know, these inter-city coaches
have a completely different design to city buses. The seating area for all
passengers (including wheelchair users) is quite high in the coaches,
located before the baggage compartments. These new coaches are fitted with
an integrated lift which lifts a wheelchair user up from the kerb into a
designated position, where the wheelchair is strapped in. This company is
now considering options for emergency evacuations.
The wheelchair lift can be operated manually, so an engine or power failure
is not a huge problem. However, it is possible that the lift and/or the
door could be badly damaged in a collision or that a fire would necessitate
an emergency evacuation.
I have advised them that all customers have different disabilities and that
some customers may be able to get out independently. I have also suggested
that evacuation should be a last resort, and only done when really
necessary. It should not be the default policy to evacuate the bus every
time it breaks down.
Has anyone come across any useful approaches or equipment that would be
relevant to these situations?
Many thanks
Shane
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