GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

GSA BULLETIN FMR 2008-B3

**Use of Segways® and Similar Devices by Individuals with a Mobility
Impairment in GSA-Controlled Federal Facilities**

**Agency:** General Services Administration

**Action:** Notice of Interim Policy

**Summary:** The General Services Administration (GSA) recognizes that
some persons with mobility impairments are utilizing the Segway®
Personal Transporter (Segway) and similar devices as their preferred
means of locomotion. GSA is committed to making all reasonable efforts
to make its facilities accessible to persons with disabilities. To that
end, on December 3, 2007, GSA\'s Public Buildings Service issued the
following interim policy to permit individuals with a mobility
impairment to use these devices in Federal buildings under GSA's
jurisdiction, custody or control, including those buildings delegated to
other Federal agencies by the Administrator of General Services. This
interim policy does not cover privately-owned leased buildings. GSA will
issue a final policy once the effectiveness of the interim policy has
been thoroughly reviewed and assessed.

**For Further Information Contact:** Stanley C. Langfeld, Director,
Regulations Management Division (MPR), General Services Administration,
Washington, DC 20405; [stanley.langfeld@gsa.gov]{.underline}*,* (202)
501-1737. Please cite FMR Bulletin 2008-B3.

Dated: December 17, 2007.

Kevin Messner

Acting Associate Administrator

Office of Governmentwide Policy

Interim Segway® Personal Transporter Policy

The General Services Administration (GSA) recognizes that some persons
with mobility impairments are utilizing the Segway® Personal Transporter
(Segway) and similar devices as their preferred means of locomotion. GSA
is committed to making all reasonable efforts to make its facilities
accessible to persons with disabilities. To that end, GSA\'s Public
Buildings Service is issuing this interim policy to permit individuals
with a mobility impairment to use these devices in Federal buildings
under GSA's jurisdiction, custody or control, including those buildings
delegated to other Federal agencies by the Administrator of General
Services. This interim policy does not cover privately-owned leased
buildings. The use of Segways and other similar devices in leased
locations should be negotiated with the building lessor. No alterations
or modifications should be required for Segways or similar devices to
enter GSA-controlled buildings. GSA will continue to comply with the
building accessibility standards identified in 41 C.F.R. § 102-76.65.

GSA will issue a final policy once the effectiveness of the interim
policy has been thoroughly reviewed and assessed.

The following interim policy is designed to facilitate the safe
integration of these mobility devices into the Federal workplace.

*Definition of Segway and Scope of Interim Policy*

A Segway is a two-wheeled, gyroscopically stabilized, battery-powered
personal transportation device. Additional information on this device is
available at the following link:
[http://www.segway.com](http://www.segway.com/). This policy applies not
only to the brand name Segway®, but also to any similar device that is
being used as a mobility aid by an individual with a mobility
impairment. This policy does not cover motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles,
bicycles (whether or not motor-powered), or other similar devices not
permitted to be operated in Federal buildings.

For purposes of this policy, an \"individual with a mobility
impairment\" means any person who is subject to any physical impairment
or condition regardless of its cause, nature or extent that renders the
person unable to move about without the aid of crutches, a wheelchair or
any other form of support, or that limits the person\'s functional
ability to ambulate, climb, descend, sit, or rise, or to perform any
related function.

*Applicability*

[Individual with a Mobility Impairment]{.underline} - An individual with
a mobility impairment is permitted to operate a Segway in a Federal
building under the jurisdiction, custody or control of GSA in any areas
open to pedestrian use.

[Individual without a Mobility Impairment]{.underline} - An individual
without a mobility impairment is not permitted to operate a Segway
within a Federal building under the jurisdiction, custody or control of
GSA. An individual may bring a Segway into a Federal building, provided
the "power assist" mode, or any other mode that engages the battery, is
not used when walking the Segway, unless the on-site security personnel
or building manager determines that bringing the device into the
building is not reasonable in the specific circumstances. Requests for
waivers to the policy prohibiting an individual without a mobility
impairment from operating a Segway in a Federal building under the
jurisdiction, custody or control of GSA will be considered on a
case-by-case basis and will require the approval of the appropriate GSA
Assistant Regional Administrator, Public Buildings Service, where such
specific authorization may facilitate improvements in the efficiency in
performing work assignments. One example of a circumstance in which a
waiver could be appropriate is an individual without a mobility
impairment who performs work in areas that are spacious, such as a
warehouse, where four-wheeled, battery-operated devices are currently in
use.

*Safety*

The Segway must be operated in a manner that does not compromise the
safety of the user, the building occupants or the building
infrastructure. Those individuals operating a Segway within a Federal
building must remain in control at all times and must exercise caution
when turning corners and entering or exiting elevators. GSA requires
users to operate their Segway at a speed no greater than a walking pace
of three (3) miles per hour. Security personnel, as well as GSA
personnel and other agency personnel in delegated buildings, shall
monitor, to the extent practical, the safe and responsible operation of
Segway devices by their users. Should security or building management
personnel observe the unsafe operation of a Segway device, these
individuals shall remind the user of their responsibility for the safe
operation of the Segway and the user's accountability for not operating
the device at a speed that exceeds three (3) miles per hour.

*Security (where access is controlled by security personnel and
screening devices)*

Magnetometer and X-ray security screening devices are ineffective for
the evaluation of Segways. Segway representatives have reported that
magnetometer devices affect the operation and software programs of the
transporter device when coming in contact with or close proximity to
magnetic fields. Accordingly, Segway recommends that the transporter
device not be operated within five (5) feet of any magnetometer or X-ray
security screening device. If within five (5) feet of a magnetometer or
X-ray security screening device, the user of the transporter device
should place the unit in standby mode or powered off mode to prevent
damage to the transporter device.

GSA and associated building security personnel reserve the right to
inspect Segway devices upon entrance to a Federal building. Upon
entering a Federal building under the jurisdiction, custody or control
of GSA, security personnel shall notify the individual that only those
persons with a mobility impairment are authorized to operate a Segway
within the building. The security personnel may not ask a person using
the device questions about the nature and extent of the person\'s
disability. Security personnel shall inspect Segways in the same manner
as other motorized devices that enter the building, including electric
wheelchairs and scooters. Security personnel may request that the Segway
user demonstrate that the device is operational thereby ensuring that
the device contains its propulsion and battery equipment. The Segway
user will be subject to the appropriate screening protocols established
by security personnel for the protection of occupants, visitors and
facilities, while maintaining the dignity of all persons who enter the
building.

*Vertical Transportation*

Segway devices are permitted on elevators, but are not permitted on
escalators, as per manufacturer guidance.