Anyone taken their Segway on Public Transit?

[AtlSeg]

As soon as I feel "road worthy" (I need more practice on turns, curbs, and yellow and red keys), I intend to occasionally commute to work using the Segway. For me, the 13-mile trip will be a matter of riding to the nearest Atlanta MARTA transit station, taking the train to the station near my office, and finishing with a glide to my building.

My question: has anyone used public transit yet? If so, do you have any recommendations? I'm guessing that the best way is to go into power assist onto the train, stay with the Segway either in the end of the car or where they have made room for luggage, and use power assist to exit the train before mounting up for the ride to work/home.

I'm going to try a dry run this weekend, but would appreciate any input!

Thanks.

Richard Weismann

[pam]

Be sure to have the wheels facing the doors (sideways to the front of the vehicle) so that acceleration and deceleration don't pull the segway down the aisle <G>. I think the rest of your plans are probably right on target.
Pam

[pdantic]

I'd be especially interested to hear if anyone has taken a Segway onto a light rail train. There are light rail systems in many cities; San Diego, Portland, St. Louis, Salt Lake, Dallas, etc... and they're different from the usual BART/MTA type heavy-rail trains in that you usually have to step up into the rail car up a set of steps. I would imagine that you could easily use power-assist mode to get the HT up the stairs and into the car.

I want to go to my local transit authority to see about taking Segways on light rail during peak hours and think that it would help a lot if I could cite other light rail systems that DO allow HTs during the morning/evening rush hours. Our local transit authority doesn't allow bikes onboard during those hours (if you're going in the "low flow" direction, it's OK) but I'm hoping that the smaller footprint of the HT will go in its favor.

I currently take light rail, so I only drive 4 miles - well within Segway range. The full trip from house to office is about 20 miles each way. Getting RTD (Denver) to approve HTs on light rail during rush hours would cut my driving to ZERO.

Steve
The Joy of Segs: http://www.joyofsegs.com

[Jameskk]

AtlSeg - marta is familiar with the Segway.. the first one I ever saw was actually on the Marta in Atlanta. two police officers were riding them. again, make sure to face the wheels toward the door or else it will fly away from you.. I commented on this a while back and everyone told me I was crazy but now that I've got someone else to back me up (pam) I guess someone will believe it. I think it's the quick jerk of the train taking off that freaks the Segway's brain or something. sorta acts like what happened when they rolled over the wooden stick during training.. at least that's what the one I saw did. Good Luck!

[pt]

you're not crazy at all. do not stand on the ht while a train is in motion, dismount, turn off the ht.

cheers,
pt

http://www.bookofseg.com

[Stan671]

quote:Originally posted by AtlSeg
I'm guessing that the best way is to go into power assist onto the train, stay with the Segway either in the end of the car or where they have made room for luggage, and use power assist to exit the train before mounting up for the ride to work/home
Personally, I find the Segway easier to push/pull when it is turn off then on power assist without the assist. There is less rolling friction, so to speak, when power is off. So, for traveling on mostly flat surfaces, I would just keep it turned off. Then use the power assist for going up stairs and ramps.

Stan Dobrowski

[RobbW]

Hi Richard -

I've been commuting to and from work for two weeks now using a combination of the Los Angeles Metrolink commuter trains as well as the MTA Red Line subway system.

It has been a wonderful experience, mostly because I have had great support from Metropolitan Transit Authority's executive management every step of the way. I have been helping them evaluate the good and the bad with respect to the Segway's use on their system and in exchange, have been given a great deal of freedom (within reason of course, they frown on me gliding along the tracks) to try a bunch of stuff out to see what works and what doesn't. I have kept and submit a regular journal of my experiences, and they in turn get back to me with answers to some of my questions, and use my data to help compile a more informed study of the Segways appropriateness within their system.

I know my particular situation, but I can't speak for whether Segways are being allowed on other transit systems across the nation. A call to your local director of passenger operations would probably be in order. I'm not even sure where Los Angeles MTA/Metrolink stands on other Segway users right now? I assume it would be okay, but I would wholeheartedly suggest that you do the same thing and follow up directly with them before you attempt it. If anyone out there is interested in commuting on Metrolink or MTA, feel free to e-mail me and I'll get you a contact to speak with there.

Here are some quick tips I have found...

o I use power assist to get up those two steps leading to the train. It works out fine but then I immediately turn the machine off upon boarding. I don't use power assist to disembark because the Segway goes down the steps perfectly fine without it. I would never, ever operate my Segway onboard the subway or the train.

o If I board on one side of the train, I do everything possible to stay on that side of the train. In LA, the center aisle is manageable but narrow, and while I can easily get the Segway to the other side if neccessary, it almost guarantees that I will have to ask a handful of people to temporarily move their bags out of the aisle (or their body parts) so I can get through. I don't ever want to do something that makes me out to be a pest or an annoyance to the other passengers. That is an "E" ticket to get yourself and your Segway some unwanted negative word-o'-mouth.

o There was an earlier comment that mentioned you always want to have your Segway perpendicular to the movement of the train so that it doesn't roll. It's a good suggestion but not always practical. If you secure your Segway properly, than it won't really matter.

o I use two areas to secure my Segway on the train:

For me, on Metrolink, the best option is to use the bike area's back two velcro straps (they have two in the front of the bike area and two in the back so that a biker can secure both wheels). For me, I just use the back two straps which are along the side wall and are located low. Not only is the Segway held tightly from the bottom to completely stop the machine from rolling, but it is also held in that perpendicular position to the movement of the train which also works wonders. Yes, if you use this option, then you effectively displace two bikes in the process. Bikers can still go to other cars and secure them there so I don't feel too bad. I suppose that if two bikes came on board first, they wouldn't feel bad about displacing me. Besides, those spots are not specifically meant for bikes (no matter what they tell you) but were outfitted for any type of rider device.

Option number two is to enter the other side of the train and use the folding seat area generally meant for wheelchairs. Next to this area (at least in LA) is an open space to set my Segway up and secure it against a pole that goes from the floor to the ceiling. The pole goes halfway from the ceiling to a two seat bench that passengers sit in on the other side of it. However, there is additional "pole" going from the bottom of the bench extending about 6 inches to the floor. Obviously, if I use this, I have to provide my own strap, but I can secure it around the bottom of the pole and wrap it and tighten it around the bottom of my Segway. This is not the best of all options for two reasons. One, the Segway is now facing in the direction the train is travelling and the wheels will roll out and back in a bit if you do not have it secured tightly as the train accelerates/decelerates. Secondly, this is as I mentioned before, a handicapped area reserved for wheelchairs and if a wheelchair were to board, I would have to give up my spot and move my Segway somewhere else.

Whereever you end up storing your Segway, I would suggest bringing a strap that you can tighten at the bottom of your machine so that you can bring the wheels as close to the thing you are securing it to as possible. I have tried the deal where you secure a strap to the top of the control shaft near the handlebars and it's tough to avoid the wheels from rolling that way.

o I am allowed to operate my Segway in crowded pedestrian traffic at Union Station right from the point I get off the train. This is not for the faint of heart. Do not do this unless you get permission from your transit authority and unless you feel REALLY comfortable with operating your unit around teeming masses of late-to-work people. Having said that, it has been very easy once you get over the initial panic (my own, not the pedestrians around me - LOL). People have always made room for me to fit in, although I always, under all circumstances give them the right-of-way, and you never ever want to go faster than the flow of people.

o Never operate your Segway anywhere where there is an electric rail (such as the platform where the Subway is). I always turn off my Segway as I take the escalator down to the Subway platform.

o Never use a public elevator if you can use the escalator. That is, unless you love the smell of urine. Just a suggestion.

o Make sure you are willing to answer about 1,000 questions a week. You need to be able to maintain the same smile on your face and in your voice with question 1 as you do with question 1,000. I have noticed that if you read a book, or close your eyes, you may be able to avert about 75% of those questions. However, 25% of those that ask don't care. Don't get frustrated. Enjoy the temporary attention. You will be a shlub again soon enough, just be proud that someone is talking to you at all. =)

o On the subway, avoid entering crowded cars. Transit is all about moving people through, not machines. If it is ever found that we are displacing people with our machines, we will be banned from bringing them on either during peak times, or potentially at all. I have had to let a few trains get away from me, rather than create a space problem on board. It's just the nature of the beast. Wait until you can fit and immediately go somewhere that you can secure your machine for the course of the ride. Here, (more so than the train), you want to try to setup your machine perpendicular to the direction the subway is going. It is a lot more herky-jerky.

Can I answer anything else for ya?

All my best,

RobbW

[pt]

wow!

rob, this is great. i just sent you an email (i'd like to post this on my site as an article).

cheers,
pt

http://www.bookofseg.com

[Linc2000]

Hi AltSeg!

I have taken my Segway on the San Diego Light transit trains. The first thing I would sugguest is the first few times you take the public transportation be sure you are under no time pressure and be ready to adapt to whatever circumstances should present themselves. Be ready to yield the right of way and to wait for the next train if necessary. After reading the rules I am not sure whether the Segway is totally accepted on the transit system. They know I am there and are probably waiting to see if any negative incidents occur that would lead them to the decision to ban the Segways from the public transportation system. We are ambassadors and pioneers in the World of Segway.

Secondly if you don't already have insurance you may want to seriously consider getting it. Would you consider driving your car without auto insurance? You have a large machine for which you are responsible and circumstances beyond your control could put you in a position where having insurance will make you look like a responsible individual.

Next if you can get on and off the public transportation with the power totally off, I feel it is the best choice.

On the San Diego Trolley some of the older cars do not have doors that are wide enough to accomadate the Segway wheels. I now wait for the next trolley in this situation. The doors on the San Diego Tolley are a tight fit and if it becomes popular to ride the Segway on public transportation hopefully the hand bars on one of the doors in each trolley will be moved 3 inches one way or the other. This would also make it easier for many bicycle riders to get on and off the trolley.

Once on the trolley if I am going to travel more than a few stops I use my kryptonite lock fully coiled up to secure my Segway to a pole used by riders to hang on to. If the pole goes to the floor of the trolley I use a strip of velcro tape or two to secure the Segway to that pole in one or two other locations. I have a picture of that http://www.pickard.us/segway/segway1.htm .

The rules for bicycle riders say they are to stay with their bike. I stay with the Segway. While the Segway is strapped in it is not going anywhere. I unlock the the Segway one stop before I am ready to get off. That lock can be a little tricky and I never want to be in a hurry while I am in control of the Segway. Once on the Segway and I have a clear path in front of me, I get to where I want to go very quickly.

Getting off I lower the Segway down the steps. I do not power on until I am ready to go.

Oh! If you have any disability or any good excuse, then definitely use the wheel chair lift. One of the guards put me on it one night and it is definitely the best way to go. Being able bodied I don't feel comfortable using the chair lift. If the Segways were specifically approved for the chair lift I would definitely use the chair lift.

I am looking forward to what others have experienced.

Lincoln [8D]



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[AtlSeg]

Thanks for all the great advice! I had planned to do a dry run today to check things out.... but the weather is miserable. Interestingly, getting to the nearest transit stations has revealed the worst of Atlanta's sidewalks--uneven, broken, low-hanging trees, construction, etc. I think I have the best route scoped out.

I really appreciate the advice on how to stow the Segway on board--and I now totally agree that turning the Segway off is probably the best way to board and ride. On the MARTA trains in Atlanta, there are areas for people to place their luggage (as the trains go to the airport), as well as areas at the ends of the trains where the unused cabs are. The MARTA trains don't have steps, so that shouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, not all of the stations have escalators that are operating continuously in both directions. However, most have elevators.

I think the best piece of advice is to allow extra time!

I had contacted the MARTA customer service folks, who "assured" me that there shouldn't be a problem, as bicycles are allowed on both buses (which have racks in front) and trains (which have no special storage racks). Once I've completed my first rides, I'll get back to them for a more detailed discussion.