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Fleet Services Division
Project Update
June 2004
June 2004
- In August 2002, the City of Seattle began evaluating the Segway Human Transporter (HT) as a method of personal transportation to reduce the use of vehicles and fuel consumption.
- In fall 2002, Seattle Public Utilities tested the Segway HT in its meter reading group; a report issued in May 2003 indicated using the Segway HT on meter reading routes increased efficiency, thereby lowering labor costs. A copy of the report is available on-line at: http://www.cityofseattle.net/fleets/docs/SegwayAnalysisver1.pdf
- Several other City departments are evaluating the merits of using Segway HTs:
- The Department of Executive Administration is testing the use of the Segway HT in coin-collection activities throughout Seattle.
- The Seattle Fire Department is utilizing a Segway HT in fire inspection activities based in Seahawks Stadium and Exposition Center.
- The Department of Parks and Recreation is evaluating Segway HTs as an environmentally sensitive means of transportation in some grounds maintenance functions.
- Parks and Recreation administrative staff are using a Segway HT "I" series for general transportation in the downtown core.
- 12 (e) models (configured to carry cargo & able to balance on its own with a feature called "e stand"); and
- 3 (i) models
- Each unit cost approximately $5,000.
- Departments are considering using Segway HTs for several reasons, including to:
- Increase productivity
In terms of efficiency and productivity, a person can move two to three times faster on a Segway than walking. In addition, one of the models the City is testing can carry up to 75 pounds of equipment in attached cargo bags. In some City applications, this ability to carry more equipment than a person walking would enable the operator to perform work that might otherwise require a return trip with a vehicle to haul tools.
- Address ergonomic issues
The City is looking at ways the Segway HT can help address the future of our aging work force. Some jobs require a large amount of walking and employees who have difficulty walking because of knee or hip problems, for example, may be able to utilize the Segway HT. This will allow the City to retain experienced workers longer, saving the cost of employee overturn. While the Segway HT is not licensed by the FDA as a medical device, some people are utilizing the Segway HT as a transportation aid in certain situations (in some cases of muscular dystrophy or Parkinson's disease).
- Reduce number of vehicles in City fleet
Ultimately, the City of Seattle is looking for a reduction in the number of vehicles used Citywide by utilizing the Segway HT to support some functions.
- Improve general transportation for employees
In some applications, Segways can get employees places more quickly and conveniently. It cuts travel time in half compared to walking (for a distance of mile or less), is about as fast as a car when traveling downtown, it avoids delays experienced waiting for a bus, and it’s not restricted to bus routes. Using the Segway HT is simpler as well, just start it and go; no checking ID, no looking for parking.
- Protect the environment
The Segway HT is a rechargeable electrically powered device – No air pollution, no use of fossil fuels (In Seattle most electric power comes from Hydroelectricity). The City is committed to making its vehicle fleet as "green" as possible by reducing emissions from its gas-powered vehicles, adding alternative fueled vehicles to the fleet, and encouraging employees to use carpools, buses and teleconferencing. Because it runs on electricity and produces no emissions, it is possible the Segway HT can become an integral part of the "green fleet."
- City of Seattle Segway users experienced no injuries due to the recall issue.
- A Segway technician came on site Sept. 26 to make the software upgrades to the City’s Segways.
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