The Messy Science of Escalator Etiquette

While standing on both sides of a long escalator would be more efficient for moving large crowds, deeply ingrained social etiquette prevents people from adopting this practice.

• Traditional 'stand right, walk left' escalator etiquette is less efficient than 'double standing' on escalators over 60 feet tall.

• The walking side custom in London stems from 1920s escalator 'shunts' that forced left-side exits.

• Efforts to change deeply ingrained escalator etiquette have proven unsuccessful, with people adhering to the traditional stand/walk system.

Standard escalator etiquette, which dictates standing on one side and walking on the other, is often less efficient than having everyone stand on both sides, especially on tall escalators. This tradition dates back to early London escalators designed with 'shunts' that forced passengers to exit on one side. Despite research showing efficiency gains from double standing on escalators over 60 feet tall, attempts to change this behavior have consistently failed, indicating that the established custom is here to stay.

Escalator Etiquette Origins

• 00:00:55 The common practice of walking on one side and standing on the other, particularly the left side for walkers in places like London, originated from early escalator designs. These initial escalators in London featured 'shunts' or diagonal obstacles at the end that physically forced passengers to offload on the left side, establishing the left as the walking lane for more efficient traffic flow. Although shunt escalators were replaced in the 1920s, this specific habit persisted.

Escalator Efficiency Study

• 00:01:49 A 2002 study on the London Underground examined escalator efficiency during peak times, focusing on factors like personal space. It found that standers leave a one-step gap, reducing the capacity of a 100-step standing side to about 50 people, while walkers leave a two-step gap due to their movement, resulting in about 33 walkers. While the walking side moves 66 passengers per minute compared to 54 for the standing side, this combined capacity is not always optimal for overall throughput.

Height Impact on Throughput

• 00:04:04 The efficiency of escalator etiquette significantly depends on the escalator's height. For escalators taller than 18.43 meters (approximately 60 feet), dedicating one side to walkers actually reduces overall passenger throughput because not enough people will choose to walk that distance. In such cases, having everyone stand on both sides, with one person per step, would move masses faster. However, for shorter escalators, the walk/stand system remains efficient.

Resistance to Change

• 00:05:41 Despite compelling research and real-world evidence demonstrating that 'double standing' increases capacity on tall escalators, attempts to change established etiquette have failed. Cities like Toronto, Hong Kong, and London have tried various methods, including removing signage, employing safety ambassadors, and making explicit announcements, but people consistently refuse to stand on both sides. A conclusion from the 2002 study itself advised against trying to persuade passengers, citing limited advantages and enforcement difficulties.