Research on the Use of Motorized Mobility DevicesDaniel Blais, Project Officer, Accessibility and Human Factors

Outline

• Introduction and Background• Recent Transport Canada R&D related to

Motorized Mobility Devices (MMD)• Research Results • Next steps (what needs to be done)

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Motorized Mobility Device

Introduction and Background

Why is there a need to investigate the use of MMDS

• Aging population • Potential for Increased used due to changing

demographics• Lack of regulations and standards• Well being and human rights implications

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Recent TC R&D Related to MMDs

• Analysis and assessment of the environment for 3 and 4 wheel mobility scooters (completed in November 2011)

• Defining the Scooter: an interactive workshop on MMDs (completed in November 2013)

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Analysis and assessment of the environment for 3 and 4 wheel mobility scooters

• SCOPE

• Analyze and assess the environment (physical and regulatory) for three- and four-wheel mobility scooters, and to identify future needs for safe operation

• Four parameters were examined: • The scooter

• The user

• The environment

• The key stakeholders

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Analysis and assessment of the environment for 3 and 4 wheel mobility scooters

• METHODOLOGY

• National and International Literature Review

• Consultations with public and private stakeholders

• Stakeholder forum in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia

• Analysis of results of literature review and consultations

• Formulation of recommendations and conclusions

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Analysis and assessment of the environment for 3 and 4 wheel mobility scooters

• RESULTS

• Issues identified regarding the use of MMDs: • Safety concerns of MMD users vis-à-vis other road users like

cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers

• The transportability and securement of MMDs in public transit and inter-city transport vehicles

• The respective organizations to be responsible for implementing the required actions

• Lack of data

• Proposed definition, which required validation by stakeholders

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Defining the Scooter: an interactive workshop on MMDs

• SCOPE

• Workshop objective: • Validate the proposed definition for MMDs

• Strategize how to implement definition

• Agree on a way forward for future research activities

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Defining the Scooter: an interactive workshop on MMDs

• METHODOLOGY

• Workshop included • Presentations from five plenary speakers

• Roundtable discussions

• Role-play

• Surveys

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Break down of participants at scooter workshop

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Defining the Scooter: an interactive workshop on MMDs

• RESULTS

• Analysis through the lens of the three Es• Engineering

• physical characteristics of the MMDs, and the environment in which they operate

• Enforcement

• standards, guidelines and regulations

• Education

• raising awareness about issues related to MMDs for users, transportation operators and decision-makers

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Defining the Scooter: an interactive workshop on MMDs

• RESULTS

• Validating the definition: The need for two different definitions were established, one for transportable (TMMDs) and another for non-transportable motorized mobility devices (NTMMDs).

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Defining the Scooter: an interactive workshop on MMDs

• RESULTS

• Proposal on how to implement the validated definition:• Federal Jurisdiction: regulation of vehicles and devices• Provincial Jurisdiction: licensing, insurance, funding,

highway safety code• Municipal Jurisdiction: Access to rights of way, by laws

prohibiting use

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Defining the Scooter: an interactive workshop on MMDs

• RESULTS

• What research needs to be done:

• Engineering Research: • On effective safety features required for devices and

infrastructure

• To enable their transportability and securement

• To aid in accessible design of buildings and related infrastructure (e.g., signage and lighting).

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Defining the Scooter: an interactive workshop on MMDs

• RESULTS

• What research needs to be done (continued):

• Enforcement Research: • To enable the creation of effective guidelines, standards and

regulations for TMMDS and NTMMDs.

• Education Research • To develop training, education and outreach program to provide

information to users, transportation industry front line staff and dealer

• Data on MMD import, sale, including secondary sales of used devices, and accident statistics are needed

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Next Steps

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Thank you!

Daniel Blais, MUP Project Officer, Accessibility and Human Factors Transportation Development Centre(613) 993-6261e-mail: daniel.blais@tc.gc.caTransport Canada

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