NTL Record

Title Operating Characteristics of the Segway Human Transporter
Record ID 65987
Personal Name
Creator
Miller, Sheryl; Kennedy, Jason; Molino, John A.; Emo, Amanda K.; Rousseau, Gabriel; Tan, Carol; Do, Ann
Personal Name
Contributor
Monk, Chris
Corporate Creator United States. Federal Highway Administration
Corporate
Contributor
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center; Science Applications International Corporation
Publisher United States. Federal Highway Administration
Publication Date 20100601
Language English
Abstract The SegwayTM Human Transporter (HT) is one of several low-speed transportation devices (e.g., bikes, scooters, wheelchairs) that, under certain circumstances, travels on sidewalks, roadways, and other shared-use paths. The objective of this research was to examine the primary operating characteristics of the SegwayTM HT. Research was conducted at the Federal Highway Administration's Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center on a closed sidewalk course. Speed and stopping distance were examined for experienced riders, and speed and clearance distance in the presence of obstacles were examined for experienced and novice riders. Overall, both experienced and novice riders were able to navigate the sidewalk course without difficulties. The results provided empirical data regarding the operating characteristics of the SegwayTM HT in relation to acceleration and stopping distance (for both planned and unplanned stops) as well as approach speed and clearance distance when navigating around obstacles. Such information is needed to develop a rational approach to incorporate SegwayTM HT traffic into regulating, planning, designing, and controlling shared-use paths and roadways. The SegwayTM HT represents just one of many unconventional transportation modes that may share these facilities in the future. The methodologies described may prove useful in determining the operating characteristics of these other modes, as well.
Rosap ID dot:41668
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/41668
TRT Terms Sidewalks; Speed; Operating speed
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Contract Number DTFH61-08-C-00006
Report Number FHWA-HRT-10-025
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/65000/65900/65987/FHWA-HRT-10-025.pdf
Alternative URL https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/10025/index.cfm
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository