Page 14 - July-Aug 2019 Vol37 No2

KNOXVILLE By Lisa Hood Skinner

KUB’s Futuristic Segways
Glide Through Area Communities

Technology and efficiency combine employs six qualified operators on its as overgrown vegetation or customer-
at an impressive pace when Knoxville six Segways. Each operator trains on placed changes/obstacles.
Utilities Board (KUB) deploys its manned site at KUB before going into the field… Inspection Frequency Boosted Above
Segway teams into local neighborhoods. practicing riding and operating the Industry Standards
machine, followed by a demonstration of
The first time they slowly coast into confidence with the equipment. The Segways allow KUB to perform
view, it can be an unexpected sight… annual inspections, going above and
almost futuristic. Training also includes instruction on beyond the industry inspection standard,
proper personal protective equipment since current regulations only require
Donning hard hats and reflective safety (PPE) such as standard KUB PPE traffic residential customer mains and service
vests, the Segway technicians glide over safety vests, safety-toe boots and safety lines to be surveyed once every five years.
the earth’s surface, pointing methane- glasses. Segway operators are outfitted
detecting lasers toward the ground around with a KUB helmet instead of a KUB hard Certain terrain factors necessitate that
natural gas piping. hat. some all-terrain vehicles and trucks must
The Eyes and Ears of KUB Laser Technology Detects Gas Leaks be used. In total, the Segway surveyors
annually cover one-third of the mains and
These Segway teams aren’t meter The teams use the Segways to more services that serve residential customers,
readers, but instead are natural gas easily access utility easements and right- and all the associated mains and services
surveyors, proactively inspecting of-ways to complete their inspections, for commercial/business customers.
KUB’s natural gas distribution system’s including the natural gas risers and meters
infrastructure. They’re so vital to the located near homes and businesses. KUB’s innovative methods…
utility’s natural gas leak detection survey, Segway operators point the lasers along Segway transport, high tech lasers,
they’ve been called the “eyes and ears” of the below and aboveground natural gas green technology, health benefits
KUB. piping, at the meter and the related service for its operators and more frequent
equipment to detect any leaks. Operators inspections…total up to a smart plan for
Brooke Sinclair, KUB Manager of also visually inspect for equipment the utility AND its customers.
System Maintenance, said these innovative corrosion and possible obstructions such
modes of transport are designed to “For us, the Segways are a win-win,”
increase the utility’s inspection efficiency, Sinclair said.
allowing the surveyors to traverse the
natural gas system more quickly.

Previously, KUB’s inspection employees
walked 10-15 miles daily to complete the
surveys, a daunting task given that the
utility has 289 miles of natural gas main
and associated service lines, mainly in
Knox County.
Health, Efficiency and Environmental
Benefits

“To say that Segways are important to
KUB is an understatement, because they
improve more than just one operation
for KUB,” Sinclair said. “Use of Segways
not only makes our daily operation more
efficient and our natural gas system safer,
but they also protect the health and
wellness of our employees while providing
an environmental benefit.”

That environmental benefit? The
electric-powered motorized vehicles are
“green technology,” reducing emissions
and fuel usage in this program.

The Segways have been used by KUB
since 2016, and currently the utility

14 TPW July/August 2019