Filippidis, Lazaros ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1852-0042, Gwynne, Steve M. V. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2758-3897, Lawrence, Peter J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0269-0231 and Galea, Edwin R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0001-6665 (2025) Assessing the impact of rider-only escalator etiquette using agent-based modelling. Safety Science, 196:107064. ISSN 0925-7535 (Print), 1879-1042 (Online) (doi:10.1016/j.ssci.2025.107064)

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Abstract

Escalator etiquette, especially during peak demand periods, influences congestion, flow, throughput, and safety across a variety of public infrastructures. Often, escalator etiquette dictates standing on one side and walking on the other (e.g., Stand on the Right and Walk on the Left, in the UK). Several studies suggest that when passengers stand on both sides, on an ascending escalator, increases both throughput and safety. This work examines when a rider-only etiquette is beneficial, using the buildingEXODUS agent-based model to simulate escalator use and egress from an underground station. The study evaluates the impact of escalator etiquette on a tall escalator (24 m) under varying demand conditions in terms of throughput, crowding, individual and station performance. Simulation results are compared against the Holborn Pilot study conducted within the London Underground metro system to support the credibility of the insights provided. The findings indicate that at demand levels producing congestion at or beyond 1.0 p/m2 at the base of the escalator, a rider-only strategy offers clear benefits: increased escalator throughput (by 38.9 at 4p/m2), decreased station and per-person egress times (by 66.77 at 4p/m2, and 26.5 at 4 p/m2, respectively), and reduced exposure to congestion for the entire population (by 15.8–74.2 across all conditions) and per person (by 15.7–74.4 across all conditions). These results demonstrate that simulation tools can provide insights that are difficult to obtain from live trials and can support operators in improving a station’s throughput and safety.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Internal Funding: University of Greenwich internal REF Development Grant (Competitive) 2017/2018, Fund No. 13265. - MP
Uncontrolled Keywords:	escalator etiquette, escalator throughput, walker and rider regimes, queuing behaviour, egress model, agent-based model
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QA Mathematics Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences (CMS)
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2025 12:25
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/51899

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