Anthropometry of Wheeled Mobility Project: Final Report

4.3.5.2 180-degree turn

Currently, the ADA-ABA does not have a specific clearance for this type of turn. The 1525 mm (60 in.) turning space would be used instead. Our research findings for this turn apply to corridors and other circulation spaces are bounded by two parallel walls or three walls. Our findings indicated that a width of 1700 mm (67 in.) would accommodate 95% of manual and power wheelchair users and 90% of the scooter users. Accommodation of additional scooter users would increase this dimension by 18 mm (7 in.) (Figure 4‒5).

Figure 4-5: Accommodation model depicting the minimum clear width required by users of manual wheelchairs, powered chairs and scooters to complete a 180-degree turn.

Long Description: This data depicts the amount of space required by users of wheeled mobility devices to perform a 180-degree turn. The bold dashed line in the table and figure indicates the current ADA requirement of a 152.5 cm (60 in.) space for wheeled mobility users to turn around. Findings from the Anthropometry of Wheeled Mobility Study indicate that a width of at least 130 cm (51 in.) was required for 50% of the manual wheelchair users measured in this study to perform a 90-degree turn. A width of 170 cm (67 in.) was required in order for 95% of manual wheelchair and power chair users to complete the turn, with 95% of scooter users needing a width of at least 210 cm (83 in.) These data are based on measurements of wheeled mobility users performing 180-degree turns in a dead-end hallway, built with mock walls. The end wall and a second wall of the hallway were fixed. The other side of the hallway had a moveable wall. The hallway width was incrementally increased until a user could enter the space, turn around, and exit the space successfully. The minimum space required for completing 180-degree turn within moving or knocking down any of the walls was recorded. Use of multiple short turns was allowed in contrast to a single continuous turn.