With so many trips running through the CONNECTION service and its limited daily capacity , Palm Tran leadership is working hard to make fixed-route transit as accessible as possible for all riders . Then with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic , wheelchair passenger securement became an even hotter topic .
Starting with Q ’ STRAINT When evaluating accessibility products in 2014 , Palm Tran leadership was impressed with the Q ’ POD from Q ’ STRAINT . Beginning in early 2015 , Palm Tran specified Q ’ POD on all new fixedroute bus deliveries . Q ’ POD is the industry ’ s first fully integrated forward-facing wheelchair securement station specifically designed and tested for transit wheelchair passenger transportation . The system bolts directly into a bus , with an integrated shoulder belt eliminating the need for window brackets . Q ’ POD ’ s stabilizing bumper works with the front tensioner and scooter ring , allowing for three-point securement and less trip hazards .
Palm Tran Fights COVID with QUANTUM Fast forward to 2017 when Q ’ STRAINT visited Palm Beach County to demonstrate a newer device to Palm Beach leadership – QUANTUM . QUANTUM is transit ’ s first fully automatic rear-facing wheelchair securement station . Using QUANTUM , Palm Tran customers back their own wheelchairs or scooters into the system , press a button and independently secure themselves . QUANTUM ’ s side-arm lowers and hugs the wheel , safely securing the wheelchair with minimal operator assistance . If the passenger is not able to push the occupant button independently , the bus operator can push the button located on the dash – thus securing or releasing the rider without walking back . QUANTUM can secure a wheelchair in less than 25 seconds ; from when the passenger pushes the occupant-secure button to final securement . Q ’ POD reduces a four-point system ’ s securement time by half . “ Both the Q ’ POD and QUANTUM systems are the latest in forward and rear facing wheelchair securement technology ,” said Mitch Drouillard , southern regional sales manager for Q ’ STRAINT . “ This combination provided Palm Tran ’ s ridership and operators with the safest , easiest , and least time-consuming method of wheelchair securement . With QUANTUM , the passenger can secure their mobility device without operator assistance .” This was followed by an onsite demonstration of QUANTUM to Palm Tran leadership , supervisors , trainers , maintenance staff , operators , and ATU union representatives . Shortly after , Palm Tran added QUANTUM to 11 Gillig buses that were already in production . “ We were drawn to the ease of use and the desire for contactless securement , especially later on during the COVID-19 pandemic ,” said Chad Hockman , director of operations for Palm
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