Self starting escalator

A solution showing one way to save money by reducing electricity consumption - without disbenefitting anyone.

Escalators are useful tools for people who can walk but have difficulty with stairs. However leaving them running all the time can be wasteful of energy.

This very short film shows that they can be made to work on the basis of normally being 'at rest' but springing to life immediately someone is about to step on to them, in the process reducing electricity consumption.

Filmed in Essen, Germany, sometimes during the early 1990's.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• escalator
• environment
• energy
• saving
• save
• electricity
• idea
• good

[daleksec53]

I'm Not Totaly With This. Mutual With Cars, Doesn't It Take More Energy To Start Up Again?

[citytransportinfo]

@daleksec53 I suppose it depends on how long its been stopped, plus the savings in 'wear and tear' compared with it running all the time.

[Mac260]

In Frankfurt you can find these quite often (and in other German cities too). And there are two more modes:

1. The escalator doesn't stand completely still, but operates at a slower speed. When someone approaches it, it accelerates to normal speed.

2. The escalator is 'at rest' and you can travel in both directions. When someone at the top steps on the escalator at first, it'll go down and vice versa.

[citytransportinfo]

@Mac260 Thanks.

I experienced the two-way escalators in Essen too, but as I was travelling alone it was not easy to film them!

[gavioliuk]

I have found self stating escalators for several years in the Netherlands.

[bronzeonion]

japanese rail stations have loads of these

[CoachAlex1996]

clever idea :)

[ashita100]

cool idea