Ohio Administrative Code
Title 3304 - Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
Chapter 3304-6 - Vehicle Modification
Section 3304-6-13 - High tech integrated driving systems

Universal Citation: OH Admin Code 3304-6-13

Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024

[Comment: For dates of non-regulatory government publications, publications of recognized organizations and associations, federal rules, and federal statutory provisions referenced in this rule, see the "Incorporation by Reference" section at the end of rule 3304-6-01 of the Administrative Code.]

The systems contained in this rule shall meet all of the requirements identified in rules 3304-6-01 to 3304-6-12 of the Administrative Code, when applicable. When the requirements in this rule exceed these cited rules, this rule shall govern.

(A) Joysticks. Joysticks are a unilever driving system and use a single control lever to control the steering, throttle, and brake. The conventional controls for the steering, throttle, and brake remain operational. Joystick driving shall be used only when the consumer has exhausted all other driving control methods, and has demonstrated sufficient proficiency in the joystick's use and operation as assessed by a qualified driver rehabilitation specialist.

(1) OOD shall purchase joysticks only from manufacturers that have provided the following information to OOD:
(a) Name of device;

(b) Model number of device;

(c) Item description, including: general description, purpose or device, and device features;

(d) System restrictions and limitations, including:
(i) Restrictions to installation on specific vehicles, and

(ii) Incompatibilities (known and probable) with other adaptive driving equipment or with OEM equipment;

(e) Limitations/capabilities of intended user population;

(f) Current availability of the model:
(i) Length of time in production,

(ii) Number of units sold to date, and

(iii) Customer references, including local/state/federal government and private payers;

(g) Status or designation of VA approval, if any;

(h) Written signed statement that the design complies with all applicable paragraphs of rules 3304-6-01 to 3304-6-15 of the Administrative Code;

(i) Written results of all laboratory, field, and clinical testing as well as data relating to compliance with the gas/brake portion of joystick control in accordance with paragraph (D)(3)(c) of rule 3304-6-05 of the Administrative Code;

(j) List of consumer-specific adjustments indicating who shall accomplish the adjustments, that is, the retail dealer, driver rehabilitation specialist, manufacturer, consumer, or other;
(i) The joystick shall have the capability for custom sensitivity settings that can be adjusted by the manufacturer's designee to match the consumer's optimal strength and range of motion.

(ii) The handle (lever) shall have the capability of adaptation by the manufacturer or the retail dealer to accommodate the consumer's needs for effective and safe operation.

(k) Maintenance schedule;

(l) Warranty documents;

(m) Installation/assembly instructions that specify when factory installation is required with fully labeled diagrams included;

(n) User's manual;

(o) Proof of liability insurance as defined in paragraph (I)(1) of rule 3304-6-03 of the Administrative Code. Proof that such insurance remains in full force and effect shall be provided to OOD on an annual basis.

(p) List of approved retail dealers/installers.

(q) All information provided by the manufacturer shall be considered public information and subject to public information requests. The information shall be reviewed by a team of licensed engineers for approval. All design changes to an approved model shall be reported to OOD.

Such design changes shall not be sold to OOD prior to notice, review, and approval. The information that shall be submitted for design change review is indicated in paragraphs (A)(1)(a) to (A)(1)(d)(ii), and (A)(1)(h) to (A)(1)(n) of this rule. When the information previously provided for in paragraphs (A)(1)(c) to (A)(1)(d)(ii), (A)(1)(j) to (A)(1)(l), and (A)(1)(n) of this rule remains the same as that submitted for the original design approval, the manufacturer shall provide written verification in lieu of resubmitting the requested information. OOD shall determine whether the design change is sufficient to warrant the need for approval without prior notification to the manufacturer when the manufacturer's product is found to be in violation of these rules or is found to involve a significant risk to consumer safety.

(2) Performance requirements.
(a) The joystick shall have pre-check operational capability with visual monitoring and/or an audible and visual warning system in case of malfunction.

(b) The joystick shall have provisions for disengagement to allow any driver to operate the vehicle. The system shall not interfere with the existing driving station. The OEM steering, brake, and throttle will remain operable when the joystick has been disengaged.

(c) A quick release pedal guard shall be installed over the OEM accelerator pedal on all vehicles on which a joystick control has been installed to prevent inadvertent access to the OEM accelerator.

(B) Multi-axis remote servo steering wheel controls. Multi-axis remote servo steering wheel controls are replacement steering systems that may or may not eliminate the mechanical steering column shaft in favor of minimal travel cables that provide input to the steering spool valve. As such they cannot conform to standard steering modifications found in paragraphs (J) to (J)(4)(b) of rule 3304-6-05 of the Administrative Code. Multi-axis steering modifications shall be used only when the consumer has demonstrated that he/she is unable to operate a vehicle with maximum reduced effort steering.

(1) OOD shall purchase multi-axis remote servo steering systems pursuant to paragraph (A)(1) of this rule.

(2) Performance requirements.
(a) The system shall have the capability for custom sensitivity and location setting that can be adjusted by the manufacturer's designee as stated in paragraph (A)(1)(j) of this rule to match the consumer's optimal strength and range of motion.

(b) The system shall have pre-check operational capability with visual monitoring and/or an audible and visual warning system in case of malfunction.

(C) Hydraulic/mechanical unilever driving systems. Hydraulic/mechanical unilever driving systems are replacement driving systems that use a single control shaft, a joystick, to control steering, throttle, and brake. They are distinguished from joysticks in paragraph (A) of this rule in that the conventional controls for steering, throttle, and brake are inoperative. They use a larger control shaft that pivots from the floor, and require greater range of motion to initiate a control input. Hydraulic/mechanical unilever driving systems should be used only when the consumer has exhausted all other standard driving control methods. The consumer shall have demonstrated sufficient proficiency in the system's use and operation as assessed by a qualified driver rehabilitation specialist.

(1) OOD shall purchase these systems from approved manufacturers pursuant to paragraph (A)(1) of this rule.

(2) Performance requirements.
(a) The system shall have the capability for custom sensitivity settings that can be adjusted by the manufacturer's designee as stated in paragraph (A)(1)(j) of this rule to match the consumer's optimal strength and range of motion.

(b) The system shall have pre-check operational capability with visual monitoring and/or an audible and visual warning system in case of malfunction.

(c) A quick release pedal guard shall be installed over the OEM accelerator pedal on all vehicles on which a hydraulic/mechanical unilever driving control has been installed to prevent inadvertent access to the OEM accelerator.

(D) Joystick and multi-axis remote servo steering wheel controls systems may emit or be affected by electromagnetic interference. They shall not be used in combination with components of another manufacturer's secondary control console or powered gas/brake controls without the knowledge and permission of both manufacturers.

(E) The driver rehabilitation specialist who completed the original driving evaluation shall drive with the consumer in the modified vehicle as a follow-up training to assure that the fit is appropriate. This drive may involve the installation of an instructor brake or other instructor control unit, to be removed after the drive, depending upon the type and location of the high tech control unit. When the original driver rehabilitation specialist is unable to complete this drive within a reasonable amount of time, a similarly qualified driver rehabilitation specialist shall be selected by OOD to perform this function.

(F) OOD reserves the right to suspend or withdraw approval of any high tech driving system without prior notification to the manufacturer if the manufacturer's product is found to be in violation of rules 3304-6-01 to 3304-6-15 of the Administrative Code or is found to involve a risk to consumer safety.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Ohio may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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