The hustle of freshmen moving in, the confusion of students filling hallways - and now the soft whirring of electric motors - are the sounds of going back to school.
That's because UT Martin's Department of Public Safety recently bought two i2 Police Segway personal transporters to help patrol the campus.
"We believe that the Segways will improve the police visibility on campus and will allow us to provide better deterrent control," Capt. Ray Coleman said. "All the contact we've had so far has been very positive. It has definitely increased interaction between the students and the officers due to students being inquisitive about them."
When the department received the Segways about two months ago, officers went through an on-campus training session with a representative from Segway Inc.
The Segway is a two-wheeled personal transportation craft without a steering wheel. Drivers steer by leaning in the direction they want to go, and a complicated system of gyroscopes points the driver - or the police officer - toward that direction.
The i2 Police edition is the same as the commercial i2, but with tougher, lower cargo frames, an accessory bar - which UTM officers have mounted with emergency lights - and a bag to store ticket books or water bottles.
Comparable units retail for about $5,600 apiece, but Public Safety officials did not say how much UTM's two scooters cost.
Calls to Public Safety seeking clarification were not immediately returned on Monday.
The transporters weigh about 105 pounds and have a capacity of about 260 pounds. They have a top speed of almost 13 miles per hour and a battery life o about 24 miles.
Officer Chad Worley has been patrolling on the transporters since they were first put to use.
"They've been pretty helpful. They offer higher visibility," Worley said.
He said the Segways, which raise officers' height by about 8 inches, makes surveying surroundings easier. He said the added height makes it easier for students to spot police.
"The public really seems to like them too, "Worley said. "We've been talking to a lot of students about them. We've been getting a lot of use out of them with the students moving in."
The transporters are run on electric motors and produce no emissions.
According to Segway's Web site, more than 35 university and 380 municipal police departments have implemented the transporters in some way.
Chicago last year signed a five-year, $580,000 contract to buy the scooters for patrolling popular tourist areas, the largest municipal contract for the Bedford, N.H.-based company.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Eric Haldeman
posted 11/16/07 @ 12:02 AM CST
I have yet to see a segway on this campus and wonder why they felt the need to purchase these devices if they are not going to use them.
Joaquin Lopez
posted 11/27/07 @ 3:17 PM CST
So they spent more or less $11,200 on two Segways? At least they aren't spending it all on donuts. Good job Martin Police, keep it up.
Yeep
posted 11/28/07 @ 7:40 AM CST
I've only seen one security person using a Segway Human Interpersonal Transport.
Scooter
posted 11/28/07 @ 11:56 AM CST
I have seen them on campus, I just wonder what was wrong with the bicycles they paid big money for and have had to start with. Sure the segway puts them higher up, maybe a foot at best, but was it really worth nearly 12 grand to do so? I say put them back on the bikes. (Continued…)
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