Contrary to basic kinematic modelling, during tight turns, wheelchairs can slide sideways by non-negligible magnitudes: Collision risks may be increased.

Small spaces make collision-free turns difficult for wheelchair users. Contrary to basic kinematic wheelchair modelling and not considered previously by engineers; when wheelchairs turn in small spaces, could lateral drift (sideways slipping) increase the risk of collisions with surrounding structures such as walls and doorways? An improved kinematic understanding can inform building design and therapeutic involvement with wheelchair use. Wheelchair lateral drift is investigated.

A novel four-caster manual vehicle manoeuvring investigation: Higher loading-weights require larger turning spaces.

Patient-hoists, goods-trolleys and other omni-directional manually operated vehicles are ubiquitous. Yet no substantive, empirically based dynamic analysis has been made of these four-caster vehicles despite manual handling concerns. A relationship between loading-weight and turning space is indicated by theoretical analysis which further shows that this effect is represented by only 11 different manoeuvres.