'Streetwise' Segway To Track Accessibility Of Sidewalks

The City of Bellevue, WA is using a one-of-a-kind Segway Human Transporter as part of a pilot project to collect data on Bellevue's sidewalks.

The work is part of an ongoing effort to make all 336 miles of city sidewalks accessible for people with disabilities and comply with requirements of the federal American with Disabilities Act.

Bellevue will use a customized, high-tech Segway electric scooter for free under an agreement with the Office of Pavement Technology, part of the Federal Highway Administration, which developed the device at a cost of approximately $120,000.

Data collected by the Segway will be used in a "transition plan" that evaluates Bellevue's sidewalks and ramps for problems that could prevent a wheelchair from being used. Such transition plans are required by the ADA, but to date few cities have complied due to the high cost and complexity of conducting a survey.

If successful, the pilot project could save Bellevue hundreds of thousands of dollars it would otherwise pay for an evaluation. Cities nationwide also could benefit by having a relatively low-cost method for surveying sidewalks, helping them to complete their transition plans.

Thanks to Franz Loewenherz