Project Goal:

This project seeks to (1) identify the critical routine and emergency driver tasks necessary to drive today's automatic and manual transmission commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), (2) identify prosthetic and orthotic devices and/or vehicle modifications that will allow drivers with limb loss or impairments to operate a CMV safely, (3) develop functional capabilities tables for use in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate Program, and (4) identify any safety implications associated with driving with limb loss or impairment, based on the published literature.  
 

Summary: 

This project will provide an updated list of the critical routine and emergency tasks necessary to operate today's CMVs, along with a summary of prosthetic and orthotic devices and/or vehicle modifications that will allow drivers with limb loss or impairment to operate a CMV safely. This information will be used to update internal resources for FMCSA Skill Performance Evaluators. 

Outcomes:

A final report that includes:

• An updated list of critical routine and emergency tasks necessary to operate today's CMVs.
• Key findings from a literature review focused on identifying safety implications associated with driving with limb loss or impairment.
• A summary of prosthetic and orthotic devices and/or vehicle modifications that will allow drivers with limb loss or impairment to operate a CMV safely.
• Functional capabilities tables that evaluate an individual's ability to perform specific critical routine and emergency tasks involved in operating a CMV, based on level and zone of limb loss or impairment.  
   

Contractor:

Toxcel