A Segway weights 90 pounds and there are models that weigh 75. The company has also had a very serious legal campaign to assure the vehicle's legal status as a "pedestrian." In fact, three years before the Segway appeared on the market that campaign had been in force making the Segway legal in virtually all municipalities in the US. If, the National Park Service draws up polocies that are inimical to to the company's welfare, there will be legal challenges. Enough said.

-----Original Message-----
>From: April McCauley <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Jul 19, 2007 3:51 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Segways in historic house museums
>
>How much does a Segway weigh? The weight of a wheelchair could be 
>justified based on accessibility, but allowing Segway "traffic" could be 
>additional wear that a historic structure doesn't need or can't bear.
>
>April McCauley
>
>Paul Koenig wrote:
>> I think the argument that a Segway is no different than a motorized 
>> wheelchair to be completely unrealistic. In fact, it's a claim that the 
>> manufacturer would disavow. "The SegwayPT has not been designed, tested 
>> or approved as a medical device. You must be able to step on and off the 
>> SegwayPT unassisted, which requires physical abilities similar to 
>> ascending and descending stairs without assistance, and without holding 
>> the handrail." So anyone using a Segway as assistive technology would be 
>> using it outside the manufacturer's guidelines, which could be 
>> considered unsafe use and thus not protected use under the ADA. Also, in 
>> most cases, mobility sufficient to use a Segway and ability to stand 
>> would be the same as needed to go through the historic house.
>> 
>> Only certain models have non-marring tires and those without could 
>> damage historic flooring. Secondly, while a wheelchair is stationary if 
>> you stop paying attention to the controls, the Segway has the potential 
>> to move independently for short distances if there is a loss of control. 
>> A Segway user also requires greater head clearance. The potential a 
>> Segway has to interfere with the fundamental preservation nature of the 
>> program could also void protected use under the ADA.
>> 
>> Segway has a faq and manuals with their safety requirements at
>> http://www.segway.com/faqs/faq.cgi
>> and
>> http://www.segway.com/support/docs/
>> 
>> A more analogous device to base policy on would be a bicycle. Unless the 
>> requirement for use of a Segway is coming from someone able and willing 
>> to make an administrative ruling on behalf of the Department of Interior 
>> (which could impact all museums), then this should be considered more 
>> deeply.
>> 
>> 
>> - Paul Koenig
>> 
>> 
>> On Jul 19, 2007, at 8:01 AM, Kristin Herron wrote:
>> 
>>> I am posting this on behalf of a National Park Service
>>> historic site, which includes a historic house museum.
>>> They are being required to develop policy on the use
>>> of a Segway within the historic house.  The argument
>>> is apparently that it is no different than a motorized
>>> wheel chair.  Does anyone have experience with
>>> requests to use a Segway during a historic house
>>> museum tour, or has developed policy on this topic?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>> Kristin Herron
>> 
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