Anthropometry of Wheeled Mobility Project: Final Report

2.2.4 Maneuverability

WhMD users were video recorded while completing the following tasks:

• 90-degree turn,

• 180-degree turn with no restrictions on length of the maneuver,

• 180-degree with a center barrier,

• 360-degree rotation within a space with four walls.

The tasks were performed in restricted space conditions with the maneuvering performed within the confines of temporary barriers that are made of cardboard. Widths of the restricted space were set at a minimum of 750 mm (30 in.) for the 90-degree turn, 750 mm (30 in.) passage width for the U-turn with a barrier, and 1300 mm (51 in.) for the 180-degree and 360-degree turning activities.

WhMD users were asked to complete the tasks without touching the walls. The separation between walls was increased at increments of 50 mm (2 in.) if passage through the mock environment was not cleared without touching the walls (Figure 2‒4).

Figure 2‒4. Two examples of WhMD users completing restricted space experimental conditions.