What is the difference between an integrated and an independent occupant restraint system?
An independent occupant restraint system is a vehicle-anchored belt restraint system that is anchored “independent” of the occupant’s seat or wheelchair to the vehicle structures. In an integrated restraint system, the anchor points for the restraint system are on the seat or wheelchair – i.e., it is a seat- or wheelchair-integrated restraint system. Integrated restraint systems are becoming more common in automobiles because the belts generally fit and perform better when they are anchored closer to the occupant on the vehicle seat. It is also possible to have a partially integrated restraint system, where only the pelvic belt is anchored to the wheelchair or vehicle seat, but the upper end of the shoulder belt is anchored to the side-wall of the vehicle. This, in fact, is what is required as an option on all WC19 wheelchairs after May 2002. If a wheelchair user chooses this option, he/she can have a pelvic/lap belt installed on the wheelchair that will include hardware for a standard
