The Rise and Fall of the Segway
Lessons for the Social Adoption of Future Transportation
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Abstract
Once posited as a revolutionary transportation technology, the Segway never took off as some expected because the social acceptance of the technology was not considered in a systematic manner. Using a framework for social acceptance of technology borrowed from the literature on renewable energy, we examine how social, economic, and environmental costs of the Segway, along with regulatory issues presented barriers to implementation. High prices, legislative and spatial issues, and a lack of appeal to consumers presented challenges to acceptance. This case study provides a timely reminder of the multifaceted and complex nature of social acceptance that will need to be applied to future innovations, such as autonomous vehicles, to better understand factors that need to be considered for them to be embraced by society.
Contributor Notes
Andrew Clark is an undergraduate student in civil engineering at the University of Connecticut, and the Transportation and Land Use Intern at Tighe and Bond in Middletown, Connecticut. He is particularly interested in transportation engineering. Email: andrew.clark@uconn.edu
Carol Atkinson-Palombo is Associate Professor of Geography at the University of Connecticut, Director of Environmental Studies, and cohead of the Sustainable Cities Research Group, an interdisciplinary venture dedicated to understanding how to make cities more economically vibrant, environmentally friendly, and livable for all. She uses geographical techniques such as GIS-based spatial analysis, statistical modeling, and qualitative techniques to assess the impact of policies intended to promote sustainable cities. She is especially interested in transportation sustainability because of its connection to a wide array of societal concerns such as air pollution, land use, global climate change, and social and environmental equity. Email: carol.atkinson-palombo@uconn.edu
Norman Garrick is Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is a former national board member of the Congress for the New Urbanism and cochair of its Transportation Task Force. He specializes in the planning and design of urban transportation systems, including transit, streets, street networks, and parking, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. His research has reached a wide audience through outlets such as the Washington Post, the Denver Post, the Hartford Courant, and The Atlantic. He has worked as transportation consultant on numerous design charities including urban revitalization projects with the Prince of Wales Foundation. Email: norman.garrick@gmail.com