 |
City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
|
NEWS ADVISORY
|
| SUBJECT: Seattle begins test of SegwayTM Human Transporters
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
10/7/2002 8:30:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Katherine Schubert-Knapp (206) 684-0909
Kathy Sugiyama (206) 684-0909
|
Seattle begins test of SegwayTM Human Transporters
First test group rolls out today
SEATTLE – Meter readers from Seattle Public Utilities will be the first
group of city of Seattle employees to test the SegwayTM Human
Transporter (HT) on the job. Beginning today six meter readers will use the
Segway HT on their routes for the first time. Next week they will start keeping
daily logs to track information such as how long it takes to complete their
routes and their ability to read meters on their first attempt.
The city purchased 10 Segway HTs in August and will spend the next 18 to 24
months conducting a series of tests in various environments. This limited
investment allows the city to explore ways of diversifying its fleet of
vehicles. At the conclusion of the tests, the Fleets and Facilities Department
will be able to determine which city applications, if any, are best suited for
the Segway HT.
"Our goal over the next couple of years is to find out if and/or where
this new technology can help improve the way we do business and better serve
customers. And because the Segway runs on electricity and produces zero
emissions, it would fit right in with our commitment to making our fleet of
vehicles as ‘green’ as possible," says John Franklin, director of the
city’s Fleets and Facilities Department.
The first test with the SPU meter readers will cover one complete 40-day
meter reading cycle. During the SPU pilot, different meter readers on different
routes, will participate. In addition to tracking the information mentioned
above, the test will also look at the potential for minimizing the use of
vehicles on some routes.
Fleets and Facilities will conduct tests with other groups of city employees
where the Segway HT could improve efficiency, productivity, and/or customer
service. Possible employee groups include emergency medical teams working at
large public events, Parks and Recreation employees, Seattle Center employees,
and building inspectors.
For more information about the city’s pilot, go to the Fleets and
Facilities page on seattle.gov
For more specific information about the Segway Human Transporter, go to
www.segway.com
- 30 -
Fleets
and Facilities
| 
