Segway Inc. today announced that the Glendale Police Department will be using Segway Personal Transporters (PTs) to provide security services at Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3. The department will use Segway i2 and x2 police models to patrol the walkways, parking lots and exhibition areas around the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. In addition, the  department will also patrol NFL-sponsored events throughout the city during the days leading up to the game.

With the high-profile nature of the Super Bowl, police and security agencies in the host cities typically employ the latest technology to ensure the security and safety of those attending the event. Moreover, because of the demands that these large-scale events place on personnel, police agencies need specialized equipment and tools to make each of their officers more productive and efficient. More than 72,000 people are expected to attend the Super Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium and thousands more are expected to take part in pre-game festivities in the Glendale area. In addition, more than 140 million people in the U.S. are expected to watch the game live on television.

"The Segway PT is a safe and productive way for us to enhance our security presence at large-scale events such as the Super Bowl," said Jim Toomey, public information officer for the Glendale Police Department. "Moreover, this stadium is one of the most technologically advanced venues in the world, and the simplicity and efficiency of the Segway PT is a perfect fit for this environment."

Police and security officers find Segway PTs extremely useful for patrolling large events. The Segway PT's ability to stand still, turn in place, or travel with pedestrian flow enables officers to move through crowds much more easily than they could in a patrol car, or on a bike or motorcycle. In addition, officers stand eight inches taller on these units, enabling them to have ideal sight lines over people and automobiles. The Segway PTs use no gasoline, give off no emissions and are extremely quiet. Accordingly, they can be used both indoors and out.

In addition to the Glendale Police Department, the Glendale Fire Department, and the security department at University of Phoenix Stadium will also employ Segway PTs during Super Bowl week. The Glendale Fire Department owns eight Segway PTs, which their paramedics use to provide emergency medical services at the stadium and throughout the city. Global Spectrum, the organization responsible for security at the stadium, also has two Segway PTs that they use during football games and other stadium events.

"Worldwide, more than 600 police and security agencies currently use Segway PTs to patrol urban business districts, parks, university campuses, transit stations, airports, stadiums, and medical centers," said Chip MacDonald, director of police and security sales at Segway. "We are extremely proud to have Segway police models playing an important role in the security, safety and environmental profile of Super Bowl XLII."

The Segway PT is a self-balancing, zero-emission transportation device that can travel up to 12.5 m.p.h. Sophisticated technology allows riders to control their movement and speed by the way they lean their bodies. Lean forward to go forward, lean back to go back. Segway LeanSteer(TM) technology controls turning as the rider naturally leans in the direction he or she wants to travel.

The Segway i2 model has a range of up to 24 miles, or 480 city blocks, and is ideally suited for urban and suburban transportation. 

The Segway x2 model has a wider wheel track and is equipped with all-terrain tires that enable it to travel across rougher surfaces of dirt, gravel or sand. Even on such terrain, its lithium-ion batteries deliver a range of up to 12 miles on a single charge.