[Federal Register: January 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 4)]
[Notices]
[Page 1223-1224]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07ja08-37]
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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
GSA BULLETIN FMR 2008-B3
Use of Segways[reg] and Similar Devices by Individuals with a
Mobility Impairment in GSA-Controlled Federal Facilities
AGENCY: General Services Administration
ACTION: Notice of Interim Policy
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SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) recognizes that some
persons with mobility impairments are utilizing the Segway[reg]
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, (202) 501-1737. Please
cite FMR Bulletin 2008-B3.
Dated: December 17, 2007.
Kevin Messner,
Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Governmentwide Policy.
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
[GSA Bulletin FMR 2008-B3]
TO: Heads of Federal Agencies
SUBJECT: Use of Segways[reg] and Similar Devices by Individuals
with a Mobility Impairment in GSA-Controlled Federal Facilities
Interim Segway[reg] Personal Transporter Policy
The General Services Administration (GSA) recognizes that some
persons with mobility impairments are utilizing the Segway[reg]
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. Sec. 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. This
policy applies not only to the brand name Segway[reg], 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 - 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 - 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
[[Page 1224]]
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.
[FR Doc. E7-25592 Filed 1-4-08; 8:45 am]
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