Assessing the impact of rider-only escalator etiquette using agent-based modelling

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.