As India progresses towards a more inclusive approach w.r.t accessibility for elderly and people with reduced mobility, it is important that necessary knowledge sharing be promoted so that maximum people can benefit.
Guidelines on Provisions for Adapted Vehicles is a good document available on the website of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) regarding queries related to modification of private and public vehicles for use by wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility. Some of the topics which the document covers are;
- Technical and safety requirements
- Approval of retro fitment/ adaptation kit for four wheeled vehicle for differently abled drivers
- Recommended modifications
- Requirements for testing the wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint system
- Vehicle adaptation legal provisions made by the Central Government of India, facilities in India and good engineering practices
Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2019 has introduced terminology of Adapted Vehicles in section 2 and alteration provisions under section 52 thereof. This standard has been formulated covering adaptations for vehicle of category M1 covering requirements for accommodation and accessibility for differently abled drivers and passengers of reduced mobility.
Some of the parameters considered for adaptations are:
- In a family a person who drives vehicle (driver) may be with reduced mobility and using wheelchair or may have reduced upper limb function, however other family members may be with normal mobility and function;
- To have vehicle with provision for mobility of passenger with reduced mobility (wheelchair user or elderly people without limb disability);
Further this standard covers adapted vehicles of category N1, so that by introducing ad-on controls (secondary controls), N1 vehicle can be driven by a person with disability and earn livelihood in specific applications.
This standard also covers small M2 vehicles which can be adapted for providing Taxi service for passengers with reduced mobility.
The document can be accessed on https://morth.nic.in/ or can be downloaded here (Guidelines on Provisions for Adapted Vehicles) or can be viewed below