Driver Test Station
 The Purpose of the Driver Test Station
By measuring the driver’s ability to apply force, move the
limbs and to react quickly, you will have a considerably
improved and more comprehensive base of knowledge
when planning for a car adaptation.
If some of the measured values are low, this doesn’t
necessarily mean the individual is unfit as a driver. The
ability to drive is always a matter of finding other ways
to do the same thing.
What is the DTS?
The DTS is not a simulator or a ”Playstation”.
The DTS is designed as a tool to help the
therapist, or the person making the prescription,
to perform a qualified test of a person’s
abilities as a driver, concerning strength, flexibility,
behaviour and reaction time.
By using the DTS you can evaluate the ability
of the driver, founded on facts, and the person
being tested can feel reassured that the tests
are objectively conducted.
- The DTS is delivered with software and user instructions.
- The computer and the screen are not included.
- The software of the DTS is easy to use, pedagogically visualised and provides possibility for individual settings.
- The DTS also gives you the ability to simulate a specific car model.
1. Strength
With the DTS test station you are able to measure how much strength the driver has to:
- Press down the brake pedal using the right or the left foot.
- Use a hand operated accelerator and brake, pushing forward to brake and pulling backwards to accelerate. Both the right hand and the left hand can be tested.
- Turn the steering wheel to the right and to the left (measured at different inertia settings)
2. Timer Test
The Timer Test is designed to motivate the
driver to try his/her best during the test.
The test gives the therapist a good opportunity
to study how well the driver manages to
coordinate his/her movements and also to see
how flexible the driver is in combination with
the ability to grip a handle or to switch from
one pedal to another.
This test is a very good tool for making a fair
judgement of the total ability.
 3. Reaction Time
With the DTS you can also measure reaction
time, using either the legs or the hands.
There are two different types of tests available to show how quickly the driver can react, after
a few practice runs.
- Emergency brake test: reacting on a traffic light signal.
- 6 - point reaction test: using a random handle or pedal when signaled on the screen.
The Ability to Steer
The DTS has a feature for adjusting the
steering wheel inertia (measured in Kg,
Lbs or Newton). Start the test by having
a slack setting and proceed by tightening
the steering wheel until the driver
begins to have difficulties turning it one
entire round.
When having slight difficulties turning
the steering wheel, a prescription for
adjusting the steering wheel servo-unit
of the vehicle can be advised. Maybe
it’s enough just to choose a vehicle model
with a progressive servo feature.
If the driver is too weak to manage
a steering wheel at all, it’s a case for
considering a joy-stick or a mini steering
wheel.
 Choose the right Steering Knob
When a driver uses one hand to steer the vehicle
and the other hand to manage the accelerator and
brake, it is so much easier to steer with the help of a
steering knob.
With the DTS you can take your time choosing
among the variety of knobs and steering devices. If
the driver is unable to hold on to a knob it might help
to try a 2- or a 3-pin steering device, which supports
the hand.
 The Arms / Hands
If the driver is unable to use the pedals you can test
if the arms have enough strength to fully brake when
using a hand operated accelerator and brake control.
The DTS has a floor mounted control and a steering
wheel mounted control. The controls are mounted on
each side of the steering wheel, so that both hands
can be tested.
 The Legs / Feet
The Strength Test using the pedals, in combination
with the Timer Test will provide a good picture of the
driver’s ability to brake, as well as how quickly he/she
can manage to move from one pedal to another.
Slight disabilities, such as reduced mobility of the right
leg might be compensated by installing a left hand
side pedal for the accelerator, whereas severer mobility
reductions would require a hand operated control
for acceleration and brake.
 The Test Report
The DTS software produces a PDF test report for each
tested individual.
The test report can be used as a matrix for a car adaptation,
since all the necessary values are at hand for
creating the best possible driver environment.
It can sometimes be difficult to decide if the individual
is fit enough as a driver. The DTS test report is not only
a support for the decision itself, but also a help when
informing an individual about a negative outcome. | 
