KITE, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario.
KITE, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2021 Oct;102(10):1902-1909. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2021.06.005. Epub 2021 Jul 5.
To quantify mobility scooter performance when traversing snow, ice, and concrete in cold temperatures and to explore possible performance improvements with scooter winter tires.
Cross-sectional.
Hospital-based research institute.
Two drivers (50 and 100 kg) tested 8 scooter models (N=8). Two mobility scooters were used for winter tire testing.
Scooters were tested on 3 different conditions in a random sequence (concrete, 2.5-cm depth snow, bare ice). Ramp ascent and descent, as well as right-angle cornering up to a maximum of 10° slopes on winter conditions, were observed. Winter tire testing used the same slopes with 2 scooters on bare and melting ice surfaces.
Maximum achievable angle (MAA) and tire traction loss for ramp ascent and descent performance. The ability to steer around a corner on the ramp.
All scooters underperformed in winter conditions, specifically when traversing snow- and ice-covered slopes (χ [2, N=8]=13.87-15.55, P<.001) and corners (χ [2, N=8]=12.25, P<.01). Half of the scooters we tested were unable to climb a 1:12 grade (4.8°) snow-covered slope without losing traction. All but 1 failed to ascend an ice-covered 1:12 grade (4.8°) slope. Performance was even more unsatisfactory for the forward downslopes on both snow and ice. Winter tires enhanced the MAA, permitting 1:12 (4.8°) slope ascent on ice.
Mobility scooters need to be designed with winter months in mind. Our findings showed that Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant built environments, such as curb ramps that conform to a 1:12 (4.8°) slope, become treacherous or impassible to mobility scooter users when covered in ice or snow. Scooter manufacturers should consider providing winter tires as optional accessories in regions that experience ice and snow accumulation. Additional testing/standards need to be established to evaluate winter mobility scooter performance further.
量化在寒冷温度下雪、冰和混凝土上电动代步车的行驶性能，并探讨冬季轮胎对电动代步车性能提升的可能性。
横断面研究。
医院基础研究机构。
两名驾驶员（50 公斤和 100 公斤）测试了 8 种型号的电动代步车（N=8）。两辆电动代步车用于冬季轮胎测试。
以随机顺序在 3 种不同条件下（混凝土、2.5 厘米深的雪地、裸冰）测试电动代步车。观察了斜坡上升和下降以及最大 10°坡度的直角转弯性能。冬季轮胎测试使用相同的坡度，在裸冰和融化冰面上使用 2 辆电动代步车。
斜坡上升和下降性能的最大可达角度（MAA）和轮胎牵引力损失。在斜坡上转弯的转向能力。
所有电动代步车在冬季条件下表现不佳，特别是在雪地和冰面覆盖的斜坡（χ[2，N=8]=13.87-15.55，P<.001）和拐角处（χ[2，N=8]=12.25，P<.01）。我们测试的一半电动代步车无法在不失去牵引力的情况下爬上 1:12 级（4.8°）的雪地覆盖的斜坡。所有电动代步车都无法爬上冰面覆盖的 1:12 级（4.8°）的斜坡。在雪地和冰面上，向下的坡度行驶性能更差。冬季轮胎提高了 MAA，允许在冰上爬上 1:12 级（4.8°）的斜坡。
电动代步车的设计需要考虑冬季。我们的研究结果表明，符合美国残疾人法案的无障碍环境，例如符合 1:12（4.8°）坡度的路缘石，在冰雪覆盖时对电动代步车使用者来说变得危险或无法通行。在冰雪积聚的地区，制造商应考虑提供冬季轮胎作为可选配件。需要进一步建立额外的测试/标准来评估冬季电动代步车的性能。
