4 ms·

The psychological reason it is difficult to get people to stand on both sides of the escalator is that when the station is not busy, it's obvious that it is not

The psychological reason it is difficult to get people to stand on both sides of the escalator is that when the station is not busy, it's obvious that it is not saving anyone time to stand on the escalator, so people walk. At some point during the day it makes sense to change the rule so people just stand on the escalator, but people are already walking down one side and it isn't obvious that they are wrong. > As reported by Japan Times, a study by the Japan Elevator Association in Tokyo found that of the 1,475 escalator accidents in the city between 2013 and 2014, more than 880 were a result of people riding improperly (that includes walking or running on an escalator). This is written poorly. Just because someone was walking does not mean it caused the accident. At the very least it could be only partially contributory. Also, how many percent of the time are people walking on the escalator there? You could also flip the logic on its head in circumstances in which someone was not walking and was bumped from behind. Had they been walking, they likely would not have been bumped from behind.

darkpuma 8y ago
> "At some point during the day it makes sense to change the rule so people just stand on the escalator, but people are already walking down one side and it isn't obvious that they are wrong." They aren't wrong. The people who intend on standing and therefore avoid the left side are wrong. Standers should use both sides. Walkers should be free to walk on either side when the opportunity permits. This scheme gives you an identical throughput to everybody standing, and a greater mean speed.
- nazgul17 8y ago
  If people cared about throughout, no one would be standing. People are lazy except when in a hurry, and giving both groups the chance to commute the escalator how they want is what you should care about.

darkpuma 8y ago

> "At some point during the day it makes sense to change the rule so people just stand on the escalator, but people are already walking down one side and it isn't obvious that they are wrong." They aren't wrong. The people who intend on standing and therefore avoid the left side are wrong. Standers should use both sides. Walkers should be free to walk on either side when the opportunity permits. This scheme gives you an identical throughput to everybody standing, and a greater mean speed.

nazgul17 8y ago
If people cared about throughout, no one would be standing. People are lazy except when in a hurry, and giving both groups the chance to commute the escalator how they want is what you should care about.