Commissioned by the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, SWOV made a study of the road safety consequences of allowing the Segway Personal Transporter on public roads. This was the result of the Minister of Transport's promise to Parliament to investigate the matter. The study consisted of six parts: 1. studying the available literature; 2. carrying out a field test in a closed area; 3. reviewing the Segway for meeting Sustainable Safety principles; 4. making an inventory of relevant rules and regulations in the Netherlands and abroad; 5. making an inventory of opinions and ideas of relevant organizations; 6. estimating the road safety of the Segway. We conclude from the review for meeting the Sustainable Safety principles that a decrease in safety may be the result of an increase in vehicle types, especially if different rules apply. For reasons of recognizability and predictability, the number of vehicle types should be as limited as possible in sustainably safe traffic. Road safety calculations also lead us to conclude that we can expect a higher injury risk if the Segway was to be allowed in pedestrian areas. This is especially the case for the collision opponent in a crash. On the other hand, we do not expect a higher risk if they are allowed on cycle tracks and streets, provided the traffic and operating rules of the Segway are simple and known to all road users. The injury risk of the Segway can be compared with that of the bicycle. We advise not classifying the Segway as a handicapped vehicle. Furthermore we recommend that potential Segway riders be obliged to undergo a training, and to consider a minimum age of 16 or 18 years old. The Segway should be equipped with a bell, lights, and reflectors; and it should be insured according to the Third Party Motor Vehicle Liability Act. We do not yet recommend compulsory crash helmet wearing. If the Segway is allowed on the cycle path and road, the Segway rider should have the status of driver and not that of pedestrian because priority regulations, for example, would then apply.
Abstract