Effects of Using AWAS (Attachable Wheelchair Aircraft Seat) For Person

With Disability and Elderly in Air Travel

Balagat, Nichole Ann N.

Bulig, Britz Janroe J.
Juntarciego, Gerard A., Jr.
Reyes, Albert Delfin F.
Santos, Mikko Renz H.
12-STEM 1

March 9, 2020
 CHAPTER I

PROBLEMS AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

A large portion of people around the world now use air travel as

their preferred mode of travel for its great accessibility and cost

efficiency (Doganis, 2005). Air travel is patronized by people for its

safety and the ease of travelling to places in far distances carrying

a big amount of passengers in a single trip.

According to Schulson (2019), air travel remains challenging or

impossible for many wheelchair users. Tiara Simmons Mercius, a legal

assistant and disability rights activist in California, for example,

says she has largely stopped flying at all — in part out of fear that

her wheelchair will be damaged by baggage handlers or in transit, a

common occurrence that can create serious mobility issues. That may

sound like a personal choice, but for Simmons Mercius and thousands

like her, it's one that they feel they are forced into by

circumstance. "That choice is being influenced by the fear that my

medical equipment will be broken by the time I get off the plane," she

says, "and I will be stuck." One of the most common complaints in the

aircraft is the discomfort brought by the standard aircraft seats

especially for persons with disability and the elderly. The challenge

2
of boarding them from the terminal to the plane would cause time and

manpower.

A study of Christie and Davies (2017) showed results that

passengers who use wheelchairs had difficulty while boarding the

aircraft. The participants mentioned that they experienced physical

pain from the manual handling of wheelchairs, uncomfortability in

seating, issues in the toilet, and the humiliation and embarrassment

in front of other passengers.

The Disability Discrimination Act [DDA] (1995) protects the

rights of people with disability and assures the service need from the

airports, for airlines, and the tourism industry generally. This

covers the concerns of the disabled passengers from boarding the plane

to the whole duration of the flight. All services associated with the

transportation of the mobility challenged passengers are under the

DDA. For example, services and facilities associated with airports,

flight bookings and information about air travel are covered by the

1995 Act (Sentinella, 2005). Since 2003, the aviation industry has

been encouraged to follow a voluntary Code of Practice published by

the Department for Transport. “Access to Air Travel for Disabled

People - Code of Practice” sets out minimum standards which should be

met by airlines for aircraft design and service on board and provides

the airports and airline companies with advice on how to meet their

legal obligations under the DDA (Department of Transportation, 2008).

3
 The researchers gathered data regarding the discomfort of the

passengers, especially the Persons with Disabilities, specifically

people with skeletal diseases and the elderly. Through this, the

researchers decided to conduct research to help lessen the discomfort

of PWDs the elderly passengers.

Statement of the Problem

The study will be able to test the efficiency and comfortability

of the proposed Attachable Wheelchair Aircraft Seats (AWAS) for

persons with disability especially those persons with skeletal disease

and the elderly through experimentation and survey. The study will be

able to answer the following questions:

1. How will the AWAS benefit Persons with Disability and elderly?

2. Are there significant differences between the use of AWAS and the

standard transport method for Persons with Disability and

Elderly?

Hypothesis

1. There will be no benefits on the utilization of AWAS for the PWD

and the elderly.

2. There will be no significant differences between the use of

standard transport method and AWAS.

Objectives of the Study

4
 The aim of this study is to propose a solution that can improve the

transportation system for PWDs especially those with Skeletal Diseases

and the elderly in air transportation, this also includes:

● Create an Attachable Wheelchair Aircraft Seat (AWAS) using

technical and mechanical concepts.

● Evaluate the positive and negative factors present in the

transport of PWD and elderly in air transportation through

surveying and interviewing.

● Compare the travel duration of the PWDs and elderly using

standard transport method and AWAS through experimentation.

Significance of the Study

Few of the common problems experienced on airplanes are the

transportation time of persons with disabilities and the elderly, and

their comfortability during flight. The standard aircraft seats are

not specifically designed to give comfort to the passengers, yet it is

made to save money because of its cheap price and space due to its

small size, allowing more seats to fit inside the aircraft. This study

will be conducted to help lessen the transportation time of PWD and

elderly, and to diminish their discomfort through constructing chairs

that are specifically made for them. The following will benefit this

research:

Passengers, Persons with Disability (PWD) specifically those with

Skeletal Diseases, and the Elderly. The seats that will be produced

from the research will cause less time consumption and more comfort in

5
boarding PWDs and elderly. It will also make it quicker for other

passengers to board due to a much shorter time used for boarding

passengers who use wheelchairs.

Pilots and Cabin Crew. The seats that the researchers plan to design

would benefit the Cabin Crew because they won’t take up too much time

boarding and disembarking PWD and Elderly Passengers.

Private Airlines, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP),

and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The seats that the

researchers plan to design are cheap but convenient. It will cause

less time consumption on assisting the PWD and the elderly board and

disembark the plane. The plane can depart from the airport quicker and

reduce air traffic and is faster to free up terminals.

Aircraft Seat Manufacturers. They would benefit from AWAS because

there would be a new product for them to sell.

Future researchers. They can use this study as a reference or basis

for their own research.

Scope and Delimitations of the Study

The main focus of the study is to create a product AWAS and test

the travel time, comfortability, and safety of using AWAS for the PWD

and elderly passengers compared to the regular economy seats of the

airplane. This study also aims to identify whether the passengers

perceive AWAS as an effective assistive device in boarding and

disembarking the plane.

6
 The study is delimited to the perception of the respondents

namely the PWDs and the elderly passengers on the use of AWAS as an

aid in their flight experience.

The primary data gathering method used a questionnaire. In this

questionnaire for PWDs, Elderly, and their nurses/personal assistants

are questions about which would be more effective for PWDs and the

Elderly to use, AWAS or the regular wheelchair.

The researchers will conduct a simulation regarding the speed on

how fast a PWD and an elderly passenger can be transported from the

boarding gate to their respective airplane seat using AWAS and using

the common wheelchairs.

Any topics aside from the aforementioned points are not part of

the study.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined on how it is used in this study :

● airplane - an aircraft that is propelled forward by an engine or

propeller

● AWAS - Attachable Wheelchair Aircraft Seat or AWAS is an idea by

the researchers that is made in order to have a more convenient

way in transporting PWD and/or elderly passengers

● boarding - the action of transporting passengers into the plane

● convenience - to perform an action effectively with less effort

and difficulty
7
● discomfort - to feel uneasy or anxious

● disembark - the action of transporting passengers out of the

plane

● elderly - people who are pass 65 years old and above that

requires special mobility aids

● flight - the process of flying through the air transportation

● persons with disability (PWD) - are those who have long-term

physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments that

affects their mobility and requires special assistance and aid

● pop-and-lock – refers to the fast attachment and removal of the

AWAS in its platform

● utilize - to make use of

● standard transport method – refers to the protocol used by cabin

crews when transporting PWDs and elderly. It starts with

transporting them with their wheelchair until it reaches the

airplane door and transferring them to an aisle wheelchair to

transport them in their seats

8
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presents the related literature and studies from

other researches about the comfortability in air travel of persons

with disabilities specifically walking impairment and the elderly.

Moreover, included are compilation of sources that supports the use of

Attachable Wheelchair Aircraft Seats (AWAS) in air travel. This

chapter will also present the proposed model, design and specification

of the proposed AWAS.

Related Literature

Code of Practice for Fixed-Wing Aircraft with 30 or More Passenger

Seats

According to the Canadian Transportation Agency This Code of Practice

contains accessibility standards developed to enhance the level of

accessibility for persons with disabilities when travelling by air,

and sets out what the Canadian Transportation Agency expects of

aircraft operators.

In addition to this Code, the Canadian Transportation Agency

administers two sets of regulations pertaining to accessible

transportation:

1. The Air Transportation Regulations (ATR), Part VII, Terms and

Conditions of Carriage of Persons [with Disabilities], ensure that air

9
carriers provide uniform services to passengers with disabilities,

travelling in Canada on aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats.

2. The Personnel Training for the Assistance of Persons with

Disabilities Regulations ensure that personnel working in the air

transportation network have the knowledge, skills and attitudes

necessary to assist passengers with disabilities in an effective and

sensitive fashion.

According to the Canadian Transportation Agency (2016) this code

addresses the physical accessibility of equipment used in air

transportation. Where possible, it avoids precise measurements and

rigid descriptions of exact procedures to be followed. Instead, it

offers practical, functional, operations-oriented solutions to

problems faced by persons with disabilities who travel by air.

While this Code focuses on the needs of persons with disabilities

while they travel, the provisions contained in the Code will benefit

most travelers.

The Canadian Transportation Agency emphasizes that this Code

presents minimum standards that those subject to it are expected to

meet and urged to exceed wherever possible. The Agency also encourages

aircraft operators subject to the Code to consult with persons with

disabilities or disability associations when developing and testing

new designs and services.

10
The Need for More Facilities in air transportation for Persons with

Disability

According to Mazzarino (2013), people with disabilities reported

that the Russian Government has made significant improvements in

airport accessibility in recent years, such as more physical

accessible airplanes and digital announcement of flights time and

departure time. The author also stated that despite these improvements

in accessibility, most people with disabilities rarely travel in air

due to lack of income and confinement to facilities or their home.

The existence of PWD must be recognized as they face difficulties in

their daily lives.to improve the level of assistance individuals

should change its outlook to the general public like those in Europe,

US, and in different Countries. The need for specially made facilities

also increases since the safety of PWDs are at risk. The lack of

accessible facilities poses a threat and shows that the society only

cares for oneself and not the collective capabilities of all the

population. (Chong, 2011)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), physical, social

and attitudinal environments can hinder their participation in the

community. The United Nations Conventions on the rights of person with

disabilities (CRPD) states the importance of actions to improve

accessibility in certain fields of the environment such as buildings,

roads, transportation, information, and communication. It is also

stated that persons with disabilities cannot benefit completely if one

11
of these fields remain inaccessible. Improvement is a step by step

process and can be done in a small-scale setting in order to build a

“culture of accessibility.” Raising the standards of accessibility

will soon become possible if improvements on accessibility are

maintained and if more resources become available.

Transport of Persons with Disability and Elderly

According to Inlander and Norwood (2013), when people become

older, they become less sensitive when it comes to the physical

senses. This means that they might get burned when grilling or cooking

and would not even notice it. Cognitive abilities mean being able to

perceive and think clearly. Several factors that might affect this are

having hereditary disease or malnutrition. Loss of mobility also

happens with elderly. Factors that might affect these are lack of

exercise and certain medications that may cause disorientation.

Inlander and Norwood also stated that helping the disabled it is

important to first ask for permission so that one can effectively help

them. It is also important to find out the disabled person's daily

routine, what are the abilities, and the limitations and needs.

According to James (2018), Aircraft seats are generally

uncomfortable because of the small space for legroom and its width. A

lot of passengers complain about the discomfort they encountered due

to the uncomfortable seats in the aircraft.

12
 The Air Carrier Access Act (2014), PWD and the elderly find it

hard to find airlines that can fully accommodate their needs. They

need a lot of assistance and comfort considering their physical state.

They complain a lot about how the seats were not comfortable for them

and how it is inconvenient for their case.

Transport of Person with disability and Elderly to the Airplane Seats

According to Stuart (2012), properly trained flight crew are

available to help people with disabilities board and disembark the

plane. Persons with disability are the most priority in boarding and

exiting the plane. It is advisable that the airport must have trained

personnel to readily help them. Airlines have limitations in helping

PWDs as they are not permitted to hand-carry passengers in and out the

aircraft such as directly picking up a passenger’s body in the arms of

an airline personnel.

According to Stuart (2012), PWD and the elderly appreciate the

assistance of the cabin crew for them. But still, they find the

services provided by airlines insufficient on their needs. In

assisting them, they take up a lot of time and a lot of steps just to

board or exit a plane. They wanted a more efficient way wherein they

can experience less hassle and time consumption.

Aircraft Lavatory Efficiency for Elderly and Person With Disability

According to Cromwell (2019), Aircraft lavatory a room where

people wash themselves. In English, it can be stated as bathroom and

13
washroom to avoid saying the dreaded word, toilet. It might also be

called an ablutions chamber. Using the lavatory during the flight

considering that a specific passenger has a special need is not a

problem as long as it had been prepared ahead of time, wheelchair

accessible lavatories are available on many of today’s airplanes but

not every aircraft is equipped. Not all accessible lavatories are

created equal. Airlines have numerous interior designs and options to

choose depending on the duration and class of flights and not all

situate disability-friendly lavatories.

Worries on the Rise Over Shrinking Airline Seats

According to white (2017), Complaints are rising that the airline

seats shrink over time. The legroom is very limited and the newer

seats are less mobile and harder to get in and out. The SEAT Act’s

sponsor, Rep. Steve Cohenn, R-Tennessee, said in a statement that

distance between seats, or pitch, has shrunk from 37 to 31 inches

since airlines were deregulated in the late 1970’s.

Related Studies

The Need for More Assistance from Government and Non-Government

Institutions

According to Pascual (1999), the attitude of elderly towards

their personal health is somewhat negative, They are experiencing

health problems. In terms of care coming from their relatives, a

feeling of satisfaction was manifested, with regards to institutional

14
support, not all of the respondents are receiving aid from government

or private institutions. there are still those who are totally

dependent on their immediate relatives, while others are still looking

for institutional supplementary support.

According to Candelario (2004), concerns of the orthopedically

handicapped members of the association for the welfare of disabled

persons in mandaue city, incorporated: basis for the enhancements of

employment opportunities. college of advanced studies cebu state

college of science and technology R. Palma st., cebu city.

orthopedically handicapped individuals do not enjoy equal employment

opportunity with able-bodied persons in the form of security of tenure

of office, benefits and privileges enjoyed as well as access to

buildings and other industrial establishments.

Accessibility in Transportation

According to Rosenbloom (2002), their research shows that

travelers with disabilities face multiple limitations in all forms of

travel, although lacking in factors such as severity of impairment,

income, automobile ownership, and a range of socioeconomic

characteristics. It is proven that people with disabilities travel

less and report more mobility problems than those without

disabilities. It is indicated by Rosenbloom that all data suggests

that transportation is necessary to be accessible by PWDs.

Transportation planners must evidently work in cooperation with public

and private sectors, and also the professionals in certain fields i.e.

15
doctors and medical staff, educators, social services agencies, and

providers, to address the full accessibility of transportation with

regards to person with disabilities.

Compliance of National Government Agencies to the Magna Carta for

Disable Persons

As stated by Laberinto (2010), Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)

just like the poor, is one sector that is often left behind in terms

of reaping the fruits of development in the country. More often than

not, they belong to the group who are greatly exposed to the various

risks like natural risks, economic risks, technological risks,

personal risks and the like. The World Health Organization (WHO)

estimated that 10% of the country’s population are disabled (“WHO

Disability and HIV Policy Report,” 2005). That is roughly 8.4 million

Filipinos which is relatively the same number of Overseas Filipino

Workers (OFWs).

The United Nations (UN) recognized the PWDs as an important

marginalized group. They aim to address the PWDs needed support and to

safeguard their welfare and rights. The Philippines is a member nation

to the UN and being so, the country shares the same belief in PWDs as

productive members of society and contributors in nation building.

Discomfort of PWD and Elderly in Standard Aircraft Seats

16
A study of the U.S Department of Transportation (2018) shows that

there had been a total of 34,701 complaints in U.S and Foreign Air

Carriers. The reason for the number of these complaints (15,206) is

because of the lack of assistance of the crew to people with

disability using wheelchairs. This is due to the fact that PWD will

have to transfer from their seats with the need of assistance from

crew members.

The Ageing Population

A significant increase in the proportion of the ageing population

can be observed in the past three decades. Malaysia’s statistics

(2009) shows that the number of the population aged 65 and above in

the year 1990 is 8.03% of the total population and rose to 8.81% of

the total population in the next decade . These figures are foreseen

to rise at a higher rate because of the current global population. The

increasing number of older people raises many issues of concern

particularly on their social security. These issues are more pressing

for the private and local organizations since the availability of aids

for the elderly are insufficient (Kee, 2005).

Standard Seats of Aircraft

As stated by Smith (2018), Economy class seats usually recline

and have a fold-down table. Seat pitch ranges from 28 to 36 inches,

standard seats range from 30–32 in, and 30 to 36 in for international

economy class seats. Domestic economy seat width ranges from 17 to

18.25 in.
17
 Aircraft seats are generally uncomfortable because of the small

space for legroom and its width. A lot of passengers complain about

the discomfort they encountered due to the uncomfortable seats in the

aircraft.

PWD and the elderly find it hard to find airlines that can fully

accommodate their needs. They need a lot of assistance and comfort

considering their physical state. They complain a lot about how the

seats were not comfortable for them and how it is inconvenient for

their case.

Safety procedures in airplane

According to Morris (2018), an American Airlines flight from

Phoenix to Dallas Fort-Worth made an emergency landing after smoke was

reported in the cockpit. where a flight attendant is discussing a

potential evacuation of the aircraft moments before landing, the

flight attendants would have had no idea how to help the senior in the

situation flight attendants was not able to help the senior in that

moment of distress.

When travelling by, following certain rules and regulations can

help the process of transportation through flight more organized and

reduce risk of danger. Airlines typically provide both printed

handouts and verbal safety instructions before every flight.

Administrations provide outlines of basic safety precautions and

emergency procedures, that correspond to the expectations on any

commercial airline.
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Time consumption of boarding PWD passengers

A study by the Mobility International USA (2019) concluded that

travelling can be stressful, but considering the experience of a

person with a disability, getting from one place to another can be

much more frustrating. Airlines consider this and do their part to

make travelling comfortable and smooth as they can be for every

passenger. Since each airline is different, they have specific

policies where travelers with disabilities are concerned

Making arrangements in advance with the airline and coming to the

airport earlier than the time normally advised allow time for specific

accommodations according to the specific needs and avoiding delays to

other passengers and frustrations within the travel time. Indicating

any special needs or conditions with a notice on the given boarding

card. Assistance with registration at the check-in counter. Help

moving to the boarding area, as well as boarding, getting into the

seat, and deplaning.

Statistics for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly

According to the WHO (2011), the analysis of the global burden of

diseases 2004 data for this report estimates that 15.3% of the world

population (some 978 million people of the estimated 6.4 billion in

2004 (35))had moderate or severe disability.

The Philippines Elderly Population

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 According to the medium series projections made by the National

Statistics Office (NSO 2014) based on 2000 census data, the

Philippines will remain a predominantly young population (people aged

29 years and below) at least until 2010-2020. Nevertheless, the signs

of population ageing are evident. Although the proportion of people 60

years old and above is not expected to reach 10.0 percent before 2020,

when combined with the close to 18.0 percent of the population by that

time or 4. By 2020, it is estimated that there will be about 20.0

million Filipinos aged 50 and above, which will increase further to an

estimated 36.5 million twenty years thereafter.

The Filipino population has not yet aged significantly, with the

rate of ageing in the country paling in comparison with that of other

countries in the region. However, the number of older persons in the

country is significant and expected to increase substantially in the

future. As of 2000, there were 4.6 million older persons aged 60 and

above, account for 6.0 per cent of the country’s total population

(Cruz, 2005). The rapid growth rate of the older population, which is

currently the fastest growing sector of the population today, portend

the expected maturation of the population age structure. The upsurge

is likewise suggested by the increasing number of incoming cohorts of

older persons, particularly the baby boomers who are expected to join

the ranks of the older persons in the current decade.

The looming prospect of an increasing number of older persons

elevated health and the attendant aspect of health financing to a

central issue, given the increased incidence of disability and chronic

20
illnesses is associated with the advanced old age that is expected to

require significant financial investment. Evidence shows that future

gains will simply be spent in ill health and facilities for disabled

persons. It is important to consider both the health status and

special needs of the increasing number of older persons. (Cruz &

Laguna 2005)

Analysis of Related Literature and Studies

Comfortability has been a common expectation of the passengers

from their casual flights. Passengers appreciate the assistance and

service the cabin crew provides them during flights that help in

meeting their expectations on comfortability. However, not all

passengers have common experiences in the comfortability in air

travel. To mention, people with disabilities and elderlies who are

challenged with their mobility are the passengers that do not receive

the same level of comfortability that the usual passengers experience.

A study by Laberinto (2010) mentioned that Persons with Disabilities

(PWDs) just like the poor, is one sector that is often left behind in

terms of reaping the fruits of development in the country. They are

said to be more exposed to natural risks, technological risks, and

personal risks that is why they require consideration from the people.

A related study from the Department of Transportation [DOT] 2018 shows

that 15,206 complaints have been made due to the lack of assistance

from the crew to the person with disability. This shows that PWDs and

elderly passengers are not receiving the service they deserve during

their flights.
21
 The population of elderly and PWDs is continuously growing and is

projected to rise at a faster rate due to the current population of

the world. The Philippines has 20 million of its current population

that are 50 years old and above and is expected to double twenty years

after. These figures show that the current need for alternatives and

aid for PWDs and elderly people should be mandatory for all

establishments in the future. This includes the service airports and

airlines should provide their passengers before and during their

flights.

Disability should be recognized as an evolving concept and that

disability results from the interaction between persons with

impairments and environmental barriers that may hinders their full

effective participation in the society on an equal basis with others.

PWDs and the elderly are subjected to Standard Rules on the

Equalization of Opportunities mandated by the United Nations for them

to have a better and easier life. Their value and potential

contributions to the society are to be recognized by the overall well-

being and diversity of their communities, and the promotion of the

full enjoyment of the person with disabilities of their human rights

and freedom to live and experience benefits and capabilities of a

normal person.

Mobility aids are widely used by PWDs in maneuvering to places

and these. Currently, the interior of aircrafts do not offer good

accessibility for wheelchairs because of the small pathway and

congested seats inside the plane. There are some aircrafts that are
22
big enough like the Airbus A330, Boeing 767 and Boeing 787 that have a

bigger aisle compared to other aircrafts that allows maneuvering in

the aisle easier for the PWDs (Ryan, 2018). However, this is only

possible for bigger aircrafts that are mainly used for long duration

flights leaving the smaller aircrafts to remain unable to serve better

experience for PWDs and elderly passengers. Although, it is not

impossible for wheelchair users to board and take their flights. It

would take manpower and a number of lifting of the wheelchairs for the

passenger to reach their seat in the flight. This implies that the

wheelchairs could suffer damages from human error of the cabin crew

assisting the passengers.

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 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter discussed the systematic methods applied in the

field of study. It includes the structure and direction of the

research to ensure that the problem is properly addressed.

Specifically, this research will cover the following: the research

design and method, sampling technique used, flowchart of the study,

methods and materials of the study, and statistical analysis.

Kind of Research Design

Descriptive research is defined as a research method that

provides a valid and accurate representation of factors that are

relevant to the research question (Wyk, 2017). This research design

focuses more on the specifications of the product created in the

research not on why the research problem occurred. It aims to provide

an accurate and valid representation of the factors or variables to

describe a phenomenon and its characteristics therefore observation

and survey tools are often used to gather data (Gall & Borg, 2007).

The study will create an alternative wheelchair specifically

created for air transportation. This includes the detailed

specifications and the actual model of the AWAS. The product will be

tested by PWDs and elderly people and followed by answering a

questionnaire regarding their experience in using the AWAS. The data

that will be gathered in the testing simulations of AWAS will be

24
utilized in concluding the difference between using it and traditional

wheelchair.

The study will come up with an alternative wheelchair

specifically designed for air transportation of PWDs and elderly. This

includes the detailed specifications and the actual model of the AWAS.

The product will be tested by PWDs and elderly people and followed by

answering a questionnaire regarding their experience in using the

AWAS. The researchers will simulate the transportation of PWDs and

elderly from the boarding gate of the airport to the assigned seat of

the PWD that has a total distance of twenty-five (25) meters. The data

gathered in the testing simulations of AWAS will be utilized in

concluding the difference between using it and traditional wheelchair.

Flowchart of the Study

25
 Figure 3.1: Flowchart of the Study

Conceptualizing the design of Attachable Wheelchair

Aircraft Seats (AWAS)

Consultation with experts

Finalizing of the design

Gathering of respondents for survey

Choosing and orientation of the subject for

experimentation

Preparing the area of experimentation

Experimentation

Interpretation and analysis of data

Methods and Materials of the Study

26
Conceptualizing the design of Attachable Wheelchair Aircraft Seats

(AWAS)

The design of Attachable Wheelchair Aircraft Seats (AWAS) will be

built specifically for the people with skeletal disability and elderly

passengers and provide them a better experience in transportation

during their travel. AWAS is an innovative wheelchair designed to be

used inside the airports and inside the airplane. The model of AWAS

that will be created is designed to be placed in a customized location

inside an airplane. This is an area allocated for the AWAS to be

placed during the flight. This implies that there will be a new

standard for airplanes to have a specific landing point of the

passenger carrying AWAS.

Consultation with experts

The proposed model of AWAS will be presented to mechanical

engineers and to aeronautical engineers. Consultation from experts in

the field will be beneficial to the study because it will enable the

room for improvement of the product. Consultation with mechanical

engineers will provide the researchers insights on the standards in

creating a moving vehicle. This includes the safety standards,

dimensions, and materials to be used in the model. Aeronautical

engineers will help in assembling the model of AWAS to be functional

inside an airplane. They are experts in space allocation and fitting

the components inside of an airplane. Lastly, the experts who helped

27
in the conceptualization of the design of AWAS can help during the

testing and evaluation of the product.

Finalizing of the design

Once the consultation with the experts is already done, the

researchers will finalize the design depending on the ideas and

suggestions of the experts.

Gathering of respondents for survey

The method of choosing respondents would be with the use of

Purposive Sampling, which focuses only on a certain characteristic of

a group which the researchers are interested in. The researchers will

gather respondents based on their physical capabilities and relation

to the study. The respondents for the experiment would be elderly,

persons with disabilities, and helpers.

Choosing and orientation of the subject for experimentation

Orientation for the chosen subject will be done beforehand the

experiment. This ensures that the respondents are knowledgeable on

what is being tested and observed during the experiment. They will be

informed that the simulation will take several trials and the

performance of using AWAS will be compared to the use of the standard

transport method. The simulation consists of boarding and transporting

the PWD and elderly passengers to the airplane. The simulation also

includes the inflight experiences of passengers using AWAS.

28
Preparing the area of experimentation

The area of experimentation requires a big space as a

representation of the boarding bridge of a terminal until the interior

of the airplane. The boundary of the setup will be made using masking

tape, other materials will include plastic chairs, aisle wheelchair,

and the platform of the Attachable Wheelchair Aircraft Seats (AWAS).

The whole setup is comprised of the boarding bridge and the interior

of the airplane. The whole boarding bridge is 25 meters long and 2.03

meters wide; the entrance of the airplane is 0.81 meters, and the

width of the airplane is 3.63 meters, while the pathway is 0.64

meters. The researchers will utilize the space of wide roadway and

perform the experiment in the area.

Experimentation

The whole process of traveling and transporting the subject will

be simulated in the experimentation. A twenty-five (25) meter path is

used to simulate the path of the boarding bridge where the passengers

travel. The experiment will first be performed using the standard

transport method, which involves transporting the PWD and elderly

using a normal wheelchair and transferring them into an aisle

wheelchair to transport them to their assigned seats once inside the

airplane. Then the experiment will utilize the AWAS method which

involves transporting them into their seats in a pop-and-lock action.

The researchers executed 15 timed trials for each method.

29
Interpretation and analysis of data

Once the data was gathered, the hypothesis would be formed from the

results that are gathered from the experiment of the researchers. It

will be presented using a table to show the results clearly.

30
 CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF THE STUDY

This chapter presents the results and analysis of the data

gathered through the survey questionnaire and interviews from the

respondents. The survey questionnaire used both dichotomous and Likert

response scale to gather data about the background of the respondents.

The chosen respondents were PWDs, the elderly people, and their

personal assistants. The result of the comparison between the travel

time taken from the boarding gate to the airplane seat with the use of

a standard transport method and AWAS is presented in this chapter.

The data gathered from the different trials conducted in the

experiment are interpreted through statistical analysis to conclude

the problem of the study.

Problem 4.1: How will the AWAS benefit Persons with Disability

and elderly?

Problem 4.1.1: Have you ever tried travelling on an airplane?

Figure 4.1.1: PWDs Who Experienced Travelling By Plane

31
 Based on Figure 4.1.1, the majority of the respondents have

experienced travelling on an airplane. Nineteen (19) of the

respondents said they experienced travelling by plane as a PWD, while

Eleven (11) answered no.

Air travel is said to be one of the most stressful ways of

transportation because of the different factors that could make

passengers experience discomfort in their journey (Lindeman, 2019).

Persons with disability are more prone to be affected by these factors

since most of them require assistance from other people to move around

the area.  According to Bonk (2019), more than 44% of recent flyers

find the air travel process to be more stressful than going to the

dentist or spending the day with in-laws and 55% said the same about

spring cleaning, the survey said. Additionally, 37% say air travel is

more stressful than filing their taxes and 35% say that about the DMV.

Approximately 933,551 residents of the Philippines are recorded to be

Persons with Disability [PWD], this number was released by the

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) from their census in the year

2010. This is a reasonable number of people to consider in order to

provide better travel experience for the PWDs. This data still does

not include the PWDs and elderly from the whole world which are

estimated to be 2-4% of the total world population suffering from

functional disability (World Health Organization [WHO], 2010).

32
Problem 4.1.2: Are you using any wheelchairs or any mobility aids when

travelling?

Figure 4.1.2: Respondents Who Use Mobility aids

Based on Figure 4.1.2, the majority of the respondents use

wheelchairs or any mobility aids when travelling. Nineteen (19)

respondents said that they travel using a wheelchair, while Eleven

(11)answered no.

Most of the respondents use a wheelchair as part of their

everyday lives in order to function normally . These mobility aids

provide several benefits to users, including independence, reduced

pain, and increased confidence and self-esteem because the persons

with disability are able to do work with the help of the device

(Leonard & Minnis 2017). The other respondents who are not using

mobility aids are the people who are helping these PWDs to function

normally. They help the PWDs and elderly to work, and move from

different destinations. Laws in the Philippines support access by

persons with disabilities (PWDs) to many of the elements necessary to

33
succeed in life, including employment, education, infrastructure, and

rights in court. Although these laws are well intentioned, the

Philippines lack the government budget to create and staff regulatory

agencies that make sure they are effectively implemented (Tumao,

2012). 

Problem 4.1.3: Do you have any companions when travelling?

Figure 4.1.3: PWDs Who Requires Assistance When Travelling

Based on Figure 4.1.3, the respondents’ answers tied. Fifteen

respondents always have a companion when travelling while the other 15

respondents do not have a companion when travelling.

The Philippines has always been very supportive to People with

Disability (PWD) and elderly by providing them transportation,

lodging, architecture, as well as communication aids to provide better

accessibility for them (De Vera, 2019). Raising awareness on the

difficulties that PWDs have to go through while traveling as is

important in order to help the PWDs travel safely and comfortably.

Most of the people PWDs seek to have an independent life not wanting
34
to depend heavily on other people’s assistance (Gapultos, 2019). This

can be the reason why only half of the respondents said to have a

companion whenever they travel while others do not travel at all since

they are having a hard time because of their condition.

Problem 4.1.4: Have you experienced travelling with a PWD or elderly?

Figure 4.1.4: People Who Experienced Travelling With People Using

Mobility Aids

Based on Figure 4.1.4, the majority of the respondents have

already experienced travelling with Persons with Disability or and

elderly. Twenty-four (24) of them agreed to travel with a PWD while

the other Six (6) responded they have not. The respondents are PWDs,

the elderly people, and their personal assistants.

Travelling together with PWDs may cause difficulty for a person

especially in public transport since there are other people to

consider during their travel. The possible delays caused by the

transfer of PWDs to their respective seats will receive different

feedback from other passengers. The Department of Tourism [DOT] in the

35
Philippines started pushing through a law in coordination between the

private and public sectors in order to provide better accessibility

and reduce barriers for PWDs. This will help provide better travel

experience for the PWDs (Somera, 2018). 

Problem 4.1.5: Physical appearance and design of the model 

Figure 4.1.5: The Physical Appearance of AWAS is Good.

Based on Figure 4.1.5, the majority of the respondents strongly

agreed that the physical appearance of AWAS is good with a total of

Seventeen (17) respondents. Twelve (12) respondents agreed while 1

disagreed. The weighted mean of this question is 3.53 which means that

most of the respondents strongly agreed that the physical appearance

of AWAS is good.

Based on the data gathered, most of the respondents find the

physical appearance of the AWAS good. Some of them mentioned that the

sample product is better than the wheelchair they are using. Visual

design directly influences consumers’ perception on the quality and

value of the product (Bowman, 2018). The design of AWAS was patterned

36
to have the similar appearance and feel of an aircraft seat. The model

has the complete parts of a wheelchair as well as the parts of an

aircraft seat which makes the respondents view the product to be

visually appealing and complete. Most aircraft seats are commonly

designed to have a color blue theme because of psychological reasons

behind it (Kim, 2018). The design of AWAS utilized this fact knowing

that the color Blue is associated with open spaces, freedom,

intuition, imagination, expansiveness, inspiration, and sensitivity.

Blue also represents meanings of depth, trust, loyalty, sincerity,

wisdom, confidence, stability, faith, heaven, and intelligence (Bourn,

2011).

 Problem 4.1.6: Comfortability of the user when using the AWAS

Figure 4.1.6: AWAS is Comfortable

Based on Figure 4.1.6, fourteen (14) respondents strongly agreed

that AWAS is very comfortable, while 15 respondents agreed, and 1

disagreed. The weighted mean for this question is 3.43 which means

that most of the respondents agreed that AWAS is comfortable to use.

Figure 4.6 shows that most of the respondents who tested riding

AWAS find the product comfortable to use. Respondents also mentioned

37
that wheelchairs are user specific because Persons with disability

have different cases wherein they need a different configuration of

wheelchair. This could be the reason why there is a respondent who

disagreed that the AWAS is comfortable to use. AWAS is designed based

on the universal standards on dimensions and material used in most

wheelchairs to create a product that can be utilized by several

people. For people who spend extensive periods of time in their

wheelchairs, it is important that they be as comfortable as possible

and be able to sit and move around with ease. There are numerous

accessories available that make wheelchair life much more comfortable

and convenient, like the wheelchair cushion (Karman Healthcare, 2018).

AWAS is mainly used for air travel which takes several hours of

continuous seating for the PWDs. That made the materials used in the

product effective in providing comfort to the user for hours of use.

Problem 4.1.7: Durability of the materials used in the product

Figure 4.1.7: AWAS is Durable

Based on Figure 4.1.7, twenty (20) respondents strongly agreed

that AWAS is durable, while 9 respondents agreed, and 1 strongly

38
disagreed. The weighted mean for this question is 3.6 which means

that most of the respondents strongly agreed that AWAS is durable.

No matter the product in question, durability is always a key

concern. The physical durability of a product has an immediate

practical advantages to its end users (Roto, 2017). Based on Figure

4.1.7, the respondents have mixed opinions about the durability of the

product and its ability to withstand different scenarios and still

provide safety to the user. A lot of respondents strongly agreed that

AWAS is durable and can handle any turbulence in the aircraft. A few

have minimal doubts on its durability especially on the lock system of

AWAS. Producing durable products does not only minimize the expenses

but also helps the environment. The longer a product lasts, the more

time the environment has to recover the materials used in it.

Problem 4.1.8: Convenience and safety of the AWAS

Figure 4.1.8: AWAS is Convenient and Safe To Use.

Based on the graph above, seventeen (17) respondents strongly

agreed that AWAS is convenient and safe, while 12 respondents agreed,

and 1 strongly disagreed. The weighted mean is 3.5 which means that

39
most of the respondents strongly agreed that the AWAS is convenient

and safe to use.

Safety is the number one concern of any passenger at any mode of

transportation (Apolyon, 2018). Many wheelchair users often find

travelling a challenge, or worry about how they will get to places

such as hospital appointments if they struggle maneuvering in and out

of their chair. A study by Williams et al. (2017), concluded that many

wheelchair users may find it more comfortable when remaining seated in

their own wheelchair while travelling, so it is important to ensure it

is safe to be used within a vehicle. Figure 4.1.8 shows that the

respondents agreed that the use of AWAS is safe and is comfortable to

use. They experienced the actual testing of the product itself from

moving from one place to another and the simulated lock system of the

chair to the airplane. International authorities say that the current

seat dimensions of modern airplanes are not only uncomfortable but

unsafe. This is because of the small spaces allotted for evacuation

routes due to the congestion of airplane seats in commercial flights.

Problem 4.1.9: The recommendation of the standardization of AWAS in

air travel

Figure 4.1.9: Proposal of AWAS to be used by Commercial Airlines

40
 Based on figure 4.1.9, twenty-two (22) respondents strongly

agreed to recommend AWAS to be used in Commercial Airlines, seven (7)

respondents agreed, and 1 disagreed. The weighted mean is 3.7 which

means that most of the respondents strongly agreed that the AWAS could

be recommended and proposed in commercial airline companies.

Persons with Disability have specific rights on special

accommodation during flights to ensure their safety and comfortability

(Rodriguez, 2019). Despite these services provided by the airline

companies, PWDs still experience hardship travelling in an airplane.

Figure 4.1.9 shows that the majority of the respondents strongly

agreed that AWAS to be standardized in commercial flights. Statistics

show that more than half of the complaints during flights are related

to travelers needing adequate assistance because of the space taken by

wheelchairs and the delays they cause inside the aircraft (Stuart,

n.d.). Instead the use of common wheelchairs which are prone to being

damaged due to narrow spaces in the plane, using a specialized

wheelchair designed for air travel will benefit not only the PWDs but

also other passengers on board. 

41
Problem 4.1.10: Is AWAS beneficial for its user?

Figure 4.1.10: Using AWAS in Air Transportation is Beneficial

Based on the graph, 22 respondents strongly agreed that

passengers will truly benefit if AWAS is used for transportation

purposes, 7 respondents agreed, and 1 disagreed. The weighted mean for

this is 3.7 which means that most of the respondents strongly agreed

that the AWAS is beneficial for PWDs and elderly.

The law requires all establishments to display signs informing

PWDs of the privileges and benefits entitled to them (Angara, 2017).

PWDs in aircraft should have special privileges and benefits since

they are physically or mentally challenged they should be given

special care so that transportation will not be a burden to them. 

Figure 4.1.10 shows that the majority of the respondents will

benefit if AWAS will be standardized in commercial flights.

Problem 4.2 : Are there significant differences between the use of

AWAS and the standard transport method for Persons with Disability and

Elderly?

42
Figure 4.2.1

43
 Figure 4.2.1 presents the data gathered from the simulations

conducted comparing the travel time from the boarding gate to the

airplane seat of PWDS of a regular wheelchair and the AWAS. The data

shows the significant difference in the travel time of the two

compared wheelchairs.

Figure 4.2.2

T-test

  Regular Wheelchair AWAS

Mean (millisecond) 63386.73333 49900.46667
Variance 86018791.92 28637140.98

44
Observations 15 15
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
Df 22
t Stat 4.877969788
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.00003
t Critical one-tail 1.717144374
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.00007
t Critical two-tail 2.073873068  

Based on Figure 4.2.2, the average time it takes the regular

wheelchair to travel from the starting point to the end point of the

simulation with a distance of 25 meters is significantly higher than

the average time taken by the AWAS. The regular wheelchair takes

approximately an average of 63 seconds to reach the designated

aircraft seat while the AWAS takes approximately an average of 50

seconds to reach the designated aircraft seat. The t-statistic is

evidently higher than the t critical statistics meaning there is a

significant difference between the two samples.

The results of the independent samples t-test show that a

significant difference exists between the travel times of the two

types of wheelchairs. Based on the results, the AWAS is proven to be

more time efficient in terms of travel time taken to travel from the

boarding gate of the airport to the airplane seat of the passenger.

To conclude, People with Disability and people who travelled with

PWDs find the AWAS a helpful and effective device in their air travel

experience. Majority of the respondents find the AWAS to be

comfortable, durable, safe, and convenient to use. AWAS is also proven

to be more time efficient in traveling from the boarding gate of an

airport to the designated seat of the PWDs. Lastly, AWAS can be

45
considered to be proposed and be a universal standard for commercial

airlines to be used in different flights.

46
 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents the summary of findings and the formulated

conclusions answering the specific problems on EFFECTS OF USING AWAS

(ATTACHABLE WHEELCHAIR AIRCRAFT SEAT) FOR PERSON WITH DISABILITY AND

ELDERLY IN AIR TRAVEL. This chapter also includes the suggested

recommendations of the researchers for the future researchers of the

same field.

Summary of Findings

The following are the summary of results that the researchers

have gathered and recorded from the conducted research.

1. Based on the data the researchers have gathered, there is a

significant difference between the use of the AWAS and regular

wheelchair transport systems which include travel time, comfortability

and the travel experience as a whole. Based on the gathered data, it

is observed that more than half of the Persons with Disability have

experienced travelling by plane and the respondents agreed that with

the use of AWAS as a standard seat for the PWDs it is more effective

to use than regular wheelchairs when travelling.

2. Based on the gathered data, Persons with Disability and elderly

benefits through the AWAS in different ways. Based on the data

gathered by the researchers, the travel time of the passenger using

the AWAS is significantly lower compared to PWDs who use regular

wheelchairs in going to their seats. This factor minimizes the delay

caused by transferring of PWDs to aisle wheelchairs before being

47
seated to their respective seats. In terms of comfortability of the

PWDs, the researchers found out that the standard issued seats for the

PWDs and elderly makes the PWDs uncomfortable since it has more

processes involved to be transferred to their seat in the aircraft

unlike the AWAS that has a linear system that eliminates the

uncomfortability of the PWDs and elderly for transferring from one

seat to another.

Conclusions of the Study

The following conclusions were formulated by the researchers

based from the summary and findings.

There is a significant difference between using the standard

transportation systems and AWAS on PWDs and elderly. The simulation

proved that AWAS is more efficient to use than normal wheelchairs in

transporting PWDs and elderly in the aircraft rejecting the null

hypothesis of the study.

The researchers concluded that the use of AWAS is beneficial for

Persons with disability and elderly. The use of AWAS also provides

comfort to the PWDs and elderly through a linear process of

transportation rather than the usual complicated protocol of

transporting PWDs and elderly to their respective airplane seat.

Lastly, AWAS is also considered to be beneficial for all passengers of

the airplane minimizing delays and less workforce is required allotted

for passengers with disability.

48
Recommendations

Having considered the above-mentioned findings and conclusions,

the following recommendations are formulated:

1. Design and make an AWAS model that will versatile to different

kinds of disability cases.

2. Make AWAS more comfortable for the PWDs and the elderly people by

making it a reclining wheelchair.

3. Improve the lock system of AWAS.

4. Consider the weight and height of the PWDs, the elderly, and the

person to assist them when conducting the experiment.

49
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