DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE TESTING METHODOLOGY FOR HAND-CONTROL SYSTEMS IN ADAPTED VEHICLES FOR DRIVERS WITH DISABILITIES

Ensuring the safe and reliable operation of hand-control systems in vehicles adapted for drivers with physical disabilities is a critical challenge in contemporary automotive engineering. Existing evaluation practices predominantly rely on general vehicle testing standards that fail to adequately address the specific functional, ergonomic, and durability requirements of manual control components. Objective: This study aims to develop a scientifically grounded, comprehensive testing methodology specifically designed for mechanical hand-control components installed in retrofitted vehicles used by drivers with lower-limb disabilities.