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Pasted below is today's news release from the NPS announcing they have begun testing the "Segway Human Transporter."
IF all the NPS intends to do with these novel transportation machines is to evaluate their utility for use by NPS employees, then I see no problem.
IF the NPS is even vaguely considering the possibility of making these machines available to park visitors as an alternate mode of transportation within the parks, then I see ENORMOUS problems.
Based upon information available at the Segway website, I see enormous problems.
(Source: Segway Company)
In addition to giving people from the park service an easier way to travel without adding to vehicular traffic, Segway HT could help reduce the environmental impact of tourism in parks. In addition, tourists could explore more deeply inside a park on Segway HT, relieving traffic congestion in welcome centers and other main public gathering points.
Segway Human Transporters represent an INAPPROPRIATE form of transportation within the National Parks. These machines would directly interfere with the enjoyment of the park by non-motorized visitors. In fact, were these machines allowed inside the National Parks they would further commercialize, privatize and motorize the National Park Experience.
Please do what you can to nip this terrible idea in the bud!!!
Scott
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Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2002 6:11 AM
Subject: National Park Service Begins Testing of SegwayTM Human Transporter
For Immediate Release - May 1, 2002
Gerry Gaumer 202-208-4989
Lou Delorme 202-565-1254
Meredith Groban For Segway LLC 212-598-6990
National Park Service Begins Testing of Segway(superscript: TM) Human Transporter
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- The National Park Service (NPS) and Segway LLC
today announced the start of feasibility testing with the
Segway(superscript: TM) Human Transporter (HT). NPS staff and U.S. Park
Police will test five Segway HT units in various locations within
National Capital Parks-Central in Washington, D.C.
The NPS's objective in testing the Segway HT is to evaluate the
machine's ease of use, environmental benefits and safety. The Segway
HT shows potential for increasing the mobility of NPS staff while at
the same time reducing transportation effects on NPS resources. It is
considered an environmentally friendly transportation device that will
not negatively affect air quality. Safety and risks associated with
NPS operations will be paramount during the testing process.
"The National Park Service is dedicated to preserving the heritage and
beauty of our country's parks. We will evaluate the Segway HT during
this trial to determine if it is something that will enable park staff
or U.S. Park Police to increase productivity while navigating our sites
without interrupting the natural environment or visitor use," said Fran
Mainella, Director of the National Park Service.
The Segway HT is the first self-balancing, electric-powered personal
transporter designed to enhance the productivity of people by
increasing the distance they can travel and the amount they can carry
anywhere people walk. It is designed for use in pedestrian
environments, providing a non-polluting, low impact, short distance
travel solution.
"The Segway HT is the perfect mobility solution for the National Park
Service, as it seamlessly fits into park landscapes to increase
productivity with a low environmental impact, " said Dean Kamen,
chairman and founder of Segway LLC. " We believe our device can help
them further their mission of preserving our national parks and are
looking forward to working with them to realize all the advantages of
the Segway HT."
About Segway
Segway LLC is a Manchester, NH, based business founded by renowned
inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen to provide a solution to
short-distance travel. The company has created the SegwayTM Human
Transporter (HT), the first self-balancing, electric-powered
transporter designed to enhance the productivity of people by
increasing the distance they can travel and the amount they can carry.
For additional information about Segway, please visit our web site at:
www.segway.com. Press releases and digital images are available at
Segway's press center at: www.segway.com/news.
-NPS-
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- Land management 
