As the problems associated with air quality and traffic congestion continue to adversely impact our environment and quality of life, the solutions to promoting alternative commuting have to be approached in non-conventional ways.

With the Segway™ Human Transporter (HT), renowned inventor Dean Kamen aspired to improve upon the most basic form of transportation - walking, by allowing people to go farther, move quicker, and carry more without having to separate from the walking environment. "It is the first enhancement to personal mobility that doesn't isolate you from other pedestrians. It inspires new ideas - about urban spaces, commerce, community, and your next trip to the store." (Segway, Inc.)

About the Segway HT
The Segway HT is the first self-balancing, electric-powered transportation device. With dimensions no larger than the average adult body and the ability to emulate human balance, the Segway HT uses the same space as a pedestrian, and can go anywhere a person can walk. Segway HT balances through a technology called dynamic stabilization, which uses gyroscopes, and tilt sensors, software and circuit boards, and high- powered electric motors. Because it balances the way a person does normally, the Segway HT does not need input devices such as brakes or an accelerator.

CAP/ADID's Participation
The Downtown Transportation Management Association (TMA), a program of Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, has been using the Segway HT since 2002. It is now an intergrated part of the Ambassador Force's day-to-day operations.

Adoption of the Segway HT was part of a three-year pilot project to gather data and evaluate the functionality of the transporter relative to pedestrian travel. If the Segway HT is pedestrian- friendly, it could offer viable options for mobility in a dense urban area. For example, the Segway HT could have real utility in helping fill the gap between train and bus stations, peripheral parking locations and other destinations.

Related Articles:

• Atlanta Organizations Pilot Segway Human Transporters
  Segway Press Release, 03/23/02

• Segway to Debut on streets of Atlanta
  CNN, 03/24/02

• Atlanta cops chase crimnals on Segway Scooters
  USA Today, 04/23/02

• The Great Inventor
  60 Minutes II, 11/13/02

• Order your Segway™ Human Transport
  Amazon.com