There is an unspoken rule that every city dweller knows, it's the split. Every escalator is divided into two sides. One side is for the standers and the other side is for the walkers.
This escalator etiquette has been established in cities all over the world, Warsaw, Tokyo, Moscow, Washington DC. It's a delicate balance that's been struck, forced out of a battle between the walkers and the standers, that's been going on as long as escalators have been around. Escalator walkers and standers have learned to accommodate or at least tolerate each other.
But this split isn't the best solution because it's inefficient and unsafe. A better way has been proven through research and recommended by escalator manufacturers and public transit officials. But changing people's escalator behavior isn't easy. Officials know because they've tried and failed.
Because these two groups insist on using the escalator as they see fit. So what's the right way to ride an escalator, and why is it so hard to get everybody to do it. How people are supposed to use the escalator has always been a contentious topic. Just check out these letters to the editor from a Boston newspaper in 1946.
To the editor. Why is it that Boston people have so much time? As a New Yorker, I find it very irritating to ride standing all the way up the escalator because some stout Bostonian chooses to use it as a slow motion roller coaster.
The original 1859 patent for revolving stairs so they could be used for standing or walking, but the first working prototypes were used as attractions at Coney Island and the World's Fair. Subway escalators could transport far more passengers than elevators but needed to be long to reach the deep subway stations that doubled as air raid and fallout shelters during the Cold War. Most of the world's longest escalators are in former Soviet Republics.
As cities got more crowded, people's need to get up or down the escalator became more urgent and the split became the norm. But walking on an escalator is not the same as walking on stairs. Escalator steps are wider and taller than stairs. They also don't have landings and are much steeper as a result. Walking is the number one cause of injuries on escalators for people under the age of 65. You can see why then that the majority of people would choose to stand on long escalators, but an uneven weight distribution caused by standers puts a tremendous strain on one side of the machine increasing the risk of it breaking down.
But the split is wrong, not just because it's unsafe but because so much escalator space goes unused. That's because half of the escalator is reserved for a minority of people. A walker takes up an average of three steps while the standard takes up just one. This leads to gridlock at the escalators entrance and the longer the escalator, the more pronounced the problem gets because more people are going to choose to stand on the right. But if people stood side by side on the escalator it could fit more people more people riding the escalator means less build up and it's been proven to work. Please stand on both sides these escalators. In 2016, London's Holborn Metro Station designated two of its escalators. Some of the transit systems longest as standing only for six months. The result, escalator capacity was increased by 30 percent but this only works if everyone does it and that's a hard sell for walkers.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/04/us/escalators-standing-or-walking.html
https://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2017/03/the-results-are-in-the-holborn-escalator-trial-proves-that-it-is-better-to-stand-on-the-escalator-well-sometimes/
Questions:
1. What do you think about escalator etiquette?
2. Did you know that leaving left side for walkers is indeed less efficient usage of escalator?
3. Will you use both sides of an escalators or will stick with split?
Comments
2. No, I didn’t, but honestly, I don’t believe in that theory. It’s like narrowing the streets which according to some “activists” makes the traffic smoother. People in highly crowded cities are in a rush, because time is money and spending a lot of time on a journey is inconvenient. Those who want to walk fast should have such possibility.
3. I’ll stick with split and I’ll keep putting pressure on people who block the left side of the escalator. They don’t have to do that, because they are standing anyway. We should fight ignorants.
I think that similar problem is everywhere. If you have other people in some sort of traffic there is always someone who will block the whole traffic because he can... I think that this rule should be placed everywhere and promoted so people will know how it works and really start
2. Did you know that leaving left side for walkers is indeed less efficient usage of escalator?
I didnt't know that and I honestly don't believe in that. I think it's mor efficient just because there is a lot of people in a hurry especially in big cities and because of that there is always smoothness in pedestrians movement.
3. Will you use both sides of an escalators or will stick with split?
I think I will stick with split. I like it this way and I think it's easier for people to understand.
Escalator etiquette is a very difficult issue. On the one hand, of course, it is necessary and good as well as savoir vivre, but it would be useful if the people who use it, mainly walkers, should also behave properly and move carefully, not as often happens.
2. Did you know that leaving left side for walkers is indeed less efficient usage of escalator?
Yes I know about it. What's more, not only inefficient, but as you mentioned - also the use of escalators and their load and excessive wear and failures is associated with improper use.
3. Will you use both sides of an escalators or will stick with split?
I usually use the right side of the escalator when I am standing, however, I think that using the left side is not a bad thing and I sometimes do it myself. The problem, however, is people who go to the left and start to argue when they can not pass a standing person. However, these people are not privileged. They should also be careful when walking, which they often do not do. They push people who are standing and go like "holy cows" on the left side.
Assumption was good I think. Both walking and standing people should be satisfied. Giving up one option at the expense of the other could caused dissatisfaction. As we can see the idea wasn’t as perfect as we could think.
2. Did you know that leaving left side for walkers is indeed less efficient usage of escalator?
I’ve never heard about it. I’ve always thought leaving left side for walkers is a good idea because it takes into account people in hurry. But thanks to the arguments presented in the article I understand the problem now.
3. Will you use both sides of an escalators or will stick with split?
We are used to old rule of using escalators so it’s not that easy. People standing on the left side and blocking the passage to walkers are seen as selfish sometimes and they are exposed to unpleasant comments. It requires time to convince people to use both sides of escalators. Maybe on the escalators should be an information or a sticker presenting correct using.
I think that's right, people have different situations and need somewhere in a hurry, I often see how people run on the excavator. I'm no exception.
2. Did you know that leaving left side for walkers is indeed less efficient usage of escalator?
I didn't know. But it seems to me that people are already accustomed to standing with the right, and walking with the left.
3. Will you use both sides of an escalators or will stick with split?
For all more convenient method split and for me, too. I don't really want to get cursed. :D
It has come to the point that I actually use stairs whenever possible. For example, in our Warsaw Metro. Escalators are crowded the whole day, while staircases (also for some reason being way wider, thus, capable of fitting way more people), are almost always empty. What stops me from benefiting from my physical condition and simply run? Nothing. I actually, even when going out from the bus last, make it first to the metro train, watching how everyone is casually standing on escalator, probably, even unable to use regular stairs at this point. I am not judging those, who obviously cannot do so. But when I see young, and fit people, who use escalator, while being perfectly capable of going up the stairs, I just don;t know.
Maybe in general, but I don’t think people in a hurry would agree with that sentence.
I think it's a bit unnecessary to extend the rules to all escalators. Escalators in train stations and airports where people are in a hurry. But I've never considered it rude to stand two sides on an escalator in a mall because there generally isn't a need for to rush.
Seriously? It's cool. I always thought that the escalator etiquette is to hold on to the right side, and leave the left side for those in a hurry.
2. Did you know that leaving left side for walkers is indeed less efficient usage of escalator?
I did not know, did not even think about it. I accepted the classical theory, and adhered to it. Interestingly, this is how generally accepted standards are formed.
3. Will you use both sides of an escalators or will stick with split?
Honestly, it’s already a habit to stick to the right side. Next time going to the escalator I will try to remember your post. For some reason it seems to me the classical theory is the most convenient after all.
2 options always sounds better that having only one. I am not an ass, to stand in a way of people who hurry, thus if i do not, i would stand in a right part of escalator.
I think that in Poland there is nothing like escalator etiquette, on the other hand I don’t think that there should be anything like that. If someone stands on my path, then I just gently or not ask them to move. It’s not a formal dinner or gathering where you should or must you any sort of etiquette so that no one feels offended, in the end it’s just moving stairs.
2. Did you know that leaving left side for walkers is indeed less efficient usage of escalator?
XD no I didn’t and I don’t think I will apply this “etiquette” in my life.
3. Will you use both sides of an escalators or will stick with split?
I will you the escalator as I want whether I am in a hurry or not and I think that most of people will
Even though splitting escalators is worse for efficiency its better for people who do not understand the concept of "not everybody is in hurry like you", it also is sometimes only option we can take in public place and we simply do not have a choice of taking "normal" stairs.
In my opinion, it is much safe to leave the left side free. It that case people who are hurry up would have ability to get quicker without crowds. All we know what could happen in crowds when somebody hurry up.
2. Did you know that leaving left side for walkers is indeed less efficient usage of escalator?
Yes, but I didn't see crowds near escalator. In that case it means that if people would use both sides, escalator would just be running without people.
3. Will you use both sides of an escalators or will stick with split?
I will stick with split.
This etiquette is based on a certain logic. But I will not lie, I do not always adhere to etiquette. Especially if there is an ordinary staircase next to the escalator. Those who are in a hurry should use it.
2. Did you know that leaving left side for walkers is indeed less efficient usage of escalator?
No, I didn't know that. We have to stand on the right because most do the same. Well, because the left side often someone runs.
3. Will you use both sides of an escalators or will stick with split?
I have already written above that I do not always follow this rule. So maybe in the future, I will break it. Especially if the escalator is a long line.
But for example in Warsaw there are no long escalators, and I myself always prefer to walk on it rather than stand and wait. Therefore, I am always grateful to people who use the rules of etiquette and become on the right side and I do not need to stop and repeat “sorry” through each step.
Well, as I said above, it's all a matter of chance, and you need to watch not only for yourself but also for people. To prevent anyone from interfering with anybody.
Although it may be dangerous, I would keep the standard of division people that would like to stand and people that would like to walk. There are people that are in the hurry and it is simpler this way. Changing people behaviour once they grow habit may be very hard. It would take to redesign escalators to change the way that it is right now.
2. Did you know that leaving a left side for walkers is indeed less efficient usage of the escalator?
I have never thought of this in that way.
3. Will you use both sides of escalators or will stick with the split?
I would stick with the split. For me, it won't make a change but for people that are late for the train, it could be.
I understand why using escalator like we use it now isn't efficient and not good from the technological point of view, but... I'm in hurry! A lot of people are in hurry and making "the lane" for them on the escalator is helpful. In Warsaw we have some metro station that don't have stairs so the escalator is the only one way to go. If I can choose stairs over escalator, I choose stairs.
2. Did you know that leaving left side for walkers is indeed less efficient usage of escalator?
Yeah, this point of view is legit, but as I mentioned - people have need to hurry. But I think it's really interesting that someone examined this issue in such a deep way!
3. Will you use both sides of an escalators or will stick with split?
I'll stick with a split. It's an unwritten rule in our society and I'm frustrated if someone is standing on the left side...
1. What do you think about the label of escalators?
I think it's a good manners, but it should be available to everyone. Sometimes it is impossible to make room on the left for those who want to go. Then such a person should respect the situation.
2. Did you know that leaving the walkers on the left is actually a less effective use of escalators?
I think so too. According to my observations, most people are standing. Very often there are ordinary stairs at escalators. I do not understand why people who want to go will not go the usual stairs ..
3. Will you use both sides of the escalator or will you remain divided?
I am a person who can adapt, so it depends on the situation. However, I am more for the division of stairs.
I’m an escalator walker so of course I think that escalator etiquette is important. I hate when I have to stand, because someone not aware of the unwritten rules, stands on the left side.
2. Did you know that leaving left side for walkers is indeed less efficient usage of escalator?
Yes, I have heard it before but I’m too impatient to just stand on the escalator just because it’s “more efficient”. For me it’s a waste of time.
3. Will you use both sides of an escalators or will stick with split?
I’ll definitely stick with the split.
Do you think that leaving one side empty is ok for 10 minutes escalator rides, in cities where metro is much deeper than in Warsaw, and where this can really lead to improvements in throughput?
I think it is important in Public in case of safety and fast travelling trough city and metro or something like that, i Think that there are not enough signs saying about etiquette.
2. Did you know that leaving left side for walkers is indeed less efficient usage of escalator?
I think that's a great idea, becouse people who are in rush can go by left side and dont push other people.
3. Will you use both sides of an escalators or will stick with split?
i am always in rush so it is very comfortable to me using left side of escalators
2. It is logical, but we can not explain it to everyone. Not always the most effective ways are best for everyone.
3. I will stay with the division of stairs. As I said, such a solution is, it seems to me, more practical.
I definitely agree with it. Always stick with it.
2. Did you know that leaving left side for walkers is indeed less efficient usage of escalator?
I think that it is more efficient for people who are in hurry. Those who are not can wait for another 30 seconds or so.
3. Will you use both sides of an escalators or will stick with split?
I will stick with split!
I think it is very necessary. First of all, when you are in a hurry when you do not want to stand on escalators and many equal factors
Did you know how to use an escalator?
I did not know it, well know.
Will you use both sides of an escalators or will stick with split?
Will be broken down