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On Stand C22 at The 2012 Mobility Roadshow (21-23 June, Peterborough Arena), Q`Straint – the world-leading wheelchair passenger safety specialist, showcased its testing and vehicle engineering support capabilities by displaying a real vehicle test shell and dynamic test videos. This test shell contained the renowned Q`Straint QRT retractors and revolutionary new Drive-In Occupant Restraint system (DiOR), which delivers industry-leading safety when combined with the QLK-150 wheelchair docking station.

Q`Straint is highly respected across the globe for providing the most universal and concise range of passenger and wheelchair restraint systems available today for use in accessible vehicles from private WAVs and minibuses to coaches and public transport. With brand values focused on safety, innovation and technical excellence, most accessible vehicle professionals regard the QRT range of retractors from Q`Straint as first choice.

At the 2012 Mobility Roadshow, Q`Straint not only focused on its innovative products, but delivered the chance to understand how safety restraints are tested by displaying a ‘real life` vehicle test shell, surrogate wheelchair and ATD (Anthropomorphic Test Dummy). Enhanced by compelling footage of dynamic product testing, Q`Straint provided an overview of its specialist engineering capabilities that support adapted vehicle body builders and convertors. Andy Cumming, Managing Director explained: “We were delighted once more to exhibit at The Mobility Roadshow as it provided the perfect platform for our international representatives and commercial colleagues to engage with one another whilst viewing our latest solutions and services. This year we clearly demonstrating our comprehensive design and testing capabilities, which are currently assisting a great many vehicle converters with achieving Type Approval and maximum safety. The team and I have been busy all three days demonstrating why we invest extensively in R&D to ensure our systems exceed the very latest legislation. We will always focus on redefining the safety benchmark across the industry as a whole.”

The vehicle test shell and footage gave every visitor to stand C22 the unique opportunity to understand how Q`Straint develops its products and an overview regarding the technical services it delivers. In additional to developing world leading safety systems, Q`Straint engineering support services and safety testing deliver results for vehicle manufacturers and converters from drawing board to delivery. As a safety specialist with three decades of experience, Q`Straint can advise on specific design factors at concept stage such as optimum tie-down points and anchorage location to ensure maximum safety and durability of its safety systems. Dedicated technical engineers support customers` crash testing and provide all documentation on their products to support a Vehicle Type Approval Application. Ultimately these services lead to better vehicle designs and increased passenger safety, which cannot be underestimated. Dr Victoria Hodkinson-Gibbs, Technical Manager, commented: “Ensuring Q`Straint products reach the highest possible standards of safety available in the industry is imperative to all at Q`Straint. The availability of a dynamic test shell enables us to analyse our restraints under real life conditions which ultimately improves safety, performance, reliability and the passenger experience.”

Unveiled at the Mobility Roadshow, the new Drive-in Occupant Restraint (DiOR) from Q`Straint provides an occupant anchorage arm for powerchair and wheelchair passengers using the QLK-150 docking station. When combined with the QLK-150, the DiOR is the only fully crash tested combination of docking station and occupant restraint system in the world for rear access adapted vehicles.

Many senior members of the global Q`Straint team were on-hand throughout the three days and answered all questions from consumer and commercial visitors regarding wheelchair passenger safety, legislation and testing. One of the key principles highlighted was the company`s mission to go beyond current legislation and to ensure its products are designed and tested to achieve maximum safety.