October 3, 2003

Segway wheels onto campus

The University Police Department has recently acquired a $6,000 Segway Human Transporter, a two-wheeled, battery powered device, which is operable both indoors and outdoors. The Segway is part of a yearlong study conducted by two graduate students in the criminal justice program. The study's focus is on how police patrols, visibility, response time, and travel are affected by the Segway's presence on campus.

Loyola is among the first in the nation to use a Segway for public safety. Blaine Gahagan, a graduate of Loyola, donated the Segway to the university. The Segway HT, formerly known in the media as "It," weighs 83 pounds and can travel at speeds up to 12 mph. The Segway, invented by Dean Kemen, maintains balance through use of solid-state gyroscopes, tilt sensors, high-speed microprocessors, and powerful electric motors.

To operate the Segway, according to the company website, riders must be at least 16 years old and weigh between 100 and 250 pounds. Riders must be capable of stepping onto and off an eight-inch platform without use of a handrail or the assistance of another person.

Chief of University Police Pat Bailey was the first to receiving Segway operation training. He pointed out that it is capable of making sharp turns and can maneuver in enclosed spaces making it ideal for monitoring traffic violations in the parking garages. Bailey said he hopes that in the future, the department will have least two Segways ­ one for each campus.

Marcel Dumestre, dean of City College, which houses the Department of Criminal Justice Program, describes the novelty effect of the Segway as enhancing the profile of university police presence on campus. He believes that "the results of the criminal justice study will be useful for not only university policing, but also for private and public policing in high traffic areas." Use of the Segway on regular patrols of the campus allows officers to make more rounds per shift limiting the demand for labor.

"We believe the Segway will increase officer profiles on campus and make patrolling between our main and Broadway campuses more efficient. By adding the newest technology to our already pioneering bicycle patrols, Loyola will continue to offer our students, faculty, and staff a secure and safe environment," Dumestre said.

Sunday Angleton, A'04, Intern in the Offices of Public Affairs and Publications