Obstacles and risks in the traffic environment for users of powered wheelchairs in Sweden

Catharina Henje,Gunilla Stenberg,Jörgen Lundälv,Anna Carlsson

doi:10.1016/j.aap.2021.106259

Abstract

ObjectiveAccording to the European Union, fatal road accidents involving Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) are equal in proportion to fatal car road accidents (46%). VRUs include individuals with mobility challenges such as the elderly and Powered Wheelchair (PWC) users. The aim of this interdisciplinary qualitative study was to identify obstacles and risks for PWC users by exploring their behaviour and experiences in traffic environments. MethodsVideos and in-depth interviews with 13 PWC users aged 20–66 were analysed for this study. The interviews and videos, which include real-life outdoor observations, originate from a qualitative study exploring experiences of PWC use on a daily basis in Sweden. Underlying causal factors to identified risks and obstacles were identified, based on human, vehicle (PWC) and environmental factors in accordance with the Haddon Matrix. ResultsThe results show significant potential for improvement within all three perspectives of the Haddon Matrix used in the analysis. Participants faced and dealt with various obstacles and risks in order to reach their destination. For example, this includes uneven surfaces, differences in ground levels, steep slopes, as well as interactions with other road users and the influence of weather conditions, resulting in PWC users constantly accommodating and coping with the shortcomings of the vehicle and the environment. ConclusionsThere are still major challenges with regard to preventing obstacles and risks in the traffic environment for PWC users. To discern PWC users in traffic accident and injury data bases, a start would be to register type of aid used for persons involved in an accident. Furthermore, to emphasise PWC users’ role as VRUs, it may also be advantageous to describe them as drivers rather than users when navigating the traffic environment. Given the limited sample, further research covering more data from a broader perspective would be beneficial. By incorporating emerging knowledge of PWC users’ prerequisites and needs, and including them in research and traffic planning, the society will grow safer and more inclusive, and become better prepared for meeting future demands on accessibility from an aging population.

Highlights

According to the European Union, the involvement of Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) in fatal road accidents equalled the proportion of car road fatalities (46%) in 2017 (European Commission – Fact Sheet, 2017)
Nine sub-categories emerged within the three classification per spectives applied in the Haddon Matrix, human, vehicle (PWC) and environmental factors, when analysing and categorising obstacles and risks identified in the interviews and videos (Table 2)
The results of this study show the importance of paying more attention to the perspectives of Powered Wheelchair (PWC) users in order to contribute to the Vision Zero charter adopted by Sweden over 20 years ago (Government Offices of Sweden, 1997; Swedish Transport Administration, 2019)

Summary

Introduction

According to the European Union, the involvement of Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) in fatal road accidents equalled the proportion of car road fatalities (46%) in 2017 (European Commission – Fact Sheet, 2017). The Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) directive (2010:4) de scribes VRUs as “non-motorised road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists as well as motor-cyclists, elderly, and persons with disabilities or reduced mobility and orientation”. Address: Department of Community and Rehabilitation Medicine, Umeå University, SE 901 87 Umeå, Sweden. Address: Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Unit of Surgery, Umeå University, SE 901 87 Umeå, Sweden and Department of Social Work, University of Gothenburg, Box 720, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden. Traffic safety enhancement for VRUs, such as pedestrians and cyclists still face major challenges, the plight of VRUs has increasingly been recognised (Swedish Transport Administration, 2017, 2018; WHO, 2009, 2015). The term ‘road’ generally includes “footpaths, bridleways and cycle tracks, and many roadways and driveways on private land (including many car parks)” (Department for Transport, 2019:169), VRUs can be described as “road users”

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Conclusion