[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 4 (Monday, January 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1223-1224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-25592]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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; [email protected], (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]
BILLING CODE 6820-RH-S