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T.P.D.M.V.2.3
(Al/2001)
3.7.8 Escalators at Footbridges and Elevated Walkways
3.7.8.1 The criteria for provision of escalators at footbridges and elevated walkways are:
(i)
(ii)
when both stairs and ramps/lifts are provided, escalators should only be considered if
the estimated number of pedestrians using the footbridge in both directions is at least
3,000 pedestrians per hour for at least one hour on a weekday;
when stairs alone are provided, escalators should be considered where the average of
the estimated three highest hourly flows in both directions on a typical weekday
exceeds 1,500 pedestrians per hour; and
(iii) both up and down escalators should be provided at footbridges and elevated walkways
fulfilling these criteria.
3.7.8.2 The above criteria only apply in developed and development area, and should be applied
with flexibility. Escalators will not normally be considered in other areas. A decision on
whether to include escalators should also take account of other factors such as:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
increasing the attractiveness to users of the facility in question in order to discourage
pedestrians from crossing roads at-grade, and in particular from jay-walking, thereby
reducing the danger of accidents;
the availability of facilities, e.g. lifts and escalators, in both buildings connected to the
footbridge or elevated walkway; and
site constraints which inhibit the provision of ramps.
3.7.8.3 The following information on the escalator is useful:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
In ascent, escalator have about twice the carrying capacity of steps.
Escalators should not normally be provided without an alternative means of ascent or
descent, whatever the case may be, as during times of maintenance to the escalators
the footbridge will be inoperable.
Operating capacities range between 112 persons/minute to 150 persons/minute.
Speeds of escalators range between 0.5m/s to 0.75m/s, 0.6m/s is about 130 persons
per metre width per minute.
Escalators in the Territory generally have an angle of inclination of 30 degrees,
Widths of escalators can vary considerably, depending on the location, aesthetics, and
other similar matters. However escalators for footbridges should not generally have
an effective width less than 1m if pedestrians are to be allowed to pass one another.
3.7.8.4 For descending escalators, care should be taken that there is sufficient reservoir space at the
foot of the escalator. Preferably descending escalators should not discharge pedestrians
onto the footway directly in line with an adjacent carriageway which they then may be
required to cross at grade. Waiting pedestrians can impede the flow of pedestrians being
discharged from the escalator, or those pedestrians being discharged may because of their
momentum attempt to cross without paying sufficient attention to approaching vehicular
traffic.