Anthropometry of Wheeled Mobility Project: Final Report

3.3.12 180-Degree Turn around a Barrier

The U.S. has requirements for a 180-degree turn around a barrier that makes the width of the turn-around space dependent on the width of the passageway. If the barrier is less than 1220 mm (48 in.) wide, the standard calls for a minimum passage width of 1065 mm (42 in.) and a minimum turn-around space depth of 1220 mm (48 in.). If the passageway is narrower, the turn-around depth must be 1525 mm. (60 in.).

Our study was the only one of those compared in this report to evaluate 180-degree turning performance around the barrier. The results show that the current standards accommodate at least 90% of the powered chair users and manual wheelchair users, and almost 80% of the scooter users in our sample. However, they also demonstrate that the depth of the turn-around space could be reduced if the passageway width is at least 1095 mm. (43 in.).

* indicates data plotted in the graph

Figure 3-12. 180-degree turning width around barrier: research findings versus the standards.