Q’Straint’s Quantum leap

Pushing boundaries

Quantum has been designed to international standards and its framework has been built from stainless steel to help withstand harsh environments. It meets or exceeds all current and proposed regulations for rear facing transit, as well as various other regulations and standards.

Q’Straint has launched the Quantum, heralded as the world’s first fully automatic rear facing wheelchair securement station

Notably, Quantum also secures mobility scooters, an important factor considering their increasing popularity across the country. There has been a lot of interest in the industry with regard to scooters, with TfL recently publishing a guide for its drivers on which models are safe to transport on a bus and how best to do so. Andy said the use of these scooters is likely to become more widespread, placing additional pressure on how the PSV industry is going to evolve to deal with that challenge. Taking the initiative, Q’Straint’s development of Quantum is an early solution to that problem.

According to Q’Straint, Quantum’s automatic securement means an end to challenging manoeuvres to tie down a wheelchair, which can often upset passengers and put drivers at risk of personal injury. This takes some of the pressure off drivers and helps ensure the safety of all passengers by reducing the likelihood of a wheelchair breaking loose whilst the vehicle is travelling.

Developing Quantum was not just a case of improving safety for wheelchair occupants and other passengers. It also has the benefit of making the wheelchair user feel as if they are not in the minority or holding the bus up, something Q’Straint has discovered puts disabled people off using public transport. It does not require the driver to get out of their seat and spend extra time at stops ensuring a chair is secure, helping services adhere to schedule. Additionally, Quantum users gain the freedom of independence, not requiring the driver to tie them in but instead doing it on their own without drawing attention to themselves. It negates the need for drivers to potentially invade the wheelchair user’s personal space when tying the chair in place, helping maintain their dignity.

Andy said, ‘We’re really pushing the boundaries of what is possible with this. We are finding that people in wheelchairs are astounded there is something this easy to use. The feedback has been stunning. It has had a fantastic reception. It’s a huge step forward for accessibility.’

Quantum’s official launch in Europe was at Busworld Kortrijk earlier this year. Andy said the stand was exceptionally busy at the trade show, with lots of interest in the new product. It even impressed judges of the trade show’s awards, having been presented with the 2013 European Coach and Bus Week (ECW) Innovation Label Award. All products for this accolade were screened by a jury of experts who judged submissions through three qualifying phases. Quantum was one of five innovations that were recognised.