Seattle meter readers test high-tech scooters

[Casey]

10-08-2002 - KING 5 News - SEATTLE - Six meter readers for the city of Seattle testing the Segway scooter on their routes. Full Article King5 Site Requires Registration

[Casey]

quote:
Seattle meter readers test high-tech scooters
10/07/2002

By ROBERT MAK / KING 5 News

SEATTLE - Six meter readers for the city of Seattle testing the Segway scooter on their routes.

Seattle bought 10 Segways in August and will spend two years testing the electric devices.

Will this make meter readers faster?

Troy Stockwell usually walks six miles a day. Will he put on a few pounds?

"You know, that's a good question. I might have to start on the treadmill now," says Stockwell.

If Segways really work, you might think the city could lay off a few meter readers, but the city promises that won't happen.

Seattle Public Utilities hopes with Segways, workers eventually might read your meter every month, instead of every other month, making your water bills more accurate.

There are some neighborhoods, like Ballard, where homes are so close the Segway probably won't help.

"To take a Segway and move up and stop and move up and stop, is not as efficient as just simply walking from meter to meter,” says Randal Dahl of Seattle Public Utilities.

So what's next?

The city plans to test Segways with paramedics at big events, or give it to workers in parks to clean up litter, or give it to zookeepers so they can zip between the animals.

Speaking of animals, will the neighborhood dog be tempted to chase a Segway?

KING 5 News conducted a test with Mocha, who didn't seem interested.

And by the way, any humans tempted to ask their neighborhood meter reader for a ride may be disappointed. Meter readers are instructed to let you down, gently.

"It would be slowing us down, rather than helping us speed up,” says Matt Rathke, Seattle Fleets and Facilities.