Escalator Level of Service (ELOS) Criteria Based on Flow Characteristics on Escalators and in Approach Area
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59490/ejtir.2025.25.4.7868Keywords:
Level of service, escalators, approach speed, arrival density, v/Cf ratioAbstract
Escalators are an integral part of multi-level public buildings. The researchers have studied the flow characteristics on the escalators, but the guidelines to evaluate pedestrian flow conditions at escalators are missing. This paper proposes the Level of Service (LOS) criteria to assess the flow conditions on and around the escalators. A study was conducted at Delhi Metro stations in India. Arrival flow data and passengers’ flow at escalators are recorded, and arrival density, passenger walking speed towards an escalator, and flow data are extracted. Considering that the theoretical capacity on escalators is never reached, the reference capacity as proposed in the literature is used to estimate flow (v) to (reference) capacity (Cf) ratio. Analysis indicated that the percentage of pedestrians walking on escalators varied between 3.78% and 8.45%; reference capacity varied between 81 and 178 ped/m/min; and the walking speed of pedestrians towards the escalator varied between 1.92 m/s and 0.10 m/s. This indicated the effect of density and flow condition. The maximum density in the approach area is estimated as 3.2 ped/m2. The LOS of the selected escalators based on different criteria indicated that the selected escalators generally operated at either LOS-C or LOS-D. Criteria for planning or implementation of a new facility are also recommended. This would help the professionals and planners in taking an informed decision regarding infrastructural improvements in public buildings.
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