Modelling effects of stair width on rates of stair climbing in a train station.

Journal article

OBJECTIVES: Commuters leaving a station often choose the stair as a quicker exit than the escalator. This paper models the effects of speed leaving the station and stair width on choice of the stairs or escalator. METHODS: Aggregated data from previous studies (n=82,347) revealed a plateau at about 45% stair use as the number leaving each train rose. Subsequently, the time taken by passengers on the stairs and escalator was measured in a station in Birmingham, UK in 2007 (n=5848). The resulting transport rates (passengers s(-1)) for stairs and escalators at the average commuting traffic were used to estimate the effects of increases in stair width on choice of the stairs. RESULTS: Average transport rates were higher for the escalator (0.93+/-0.33 passengers s(-1)) than the stairs (0.58+/-0.24 passengers s(-1)). Modelling of the effects of transport rate with multiple regression suggested 40.1% of passengers would use the stairs, a figure close to the observed rate. Using similar calculations, a doubling of width of the stairs could result maximally in a 17.2% increase in stair use. CONCLUSIONS: Changes to the width of stairs could produce a permanent increase in lifestyle physical activity immune to the effects of time on healthy intentions.

Authors: Eves, F; Lewis, A; Griffin, C

• Journal: Preventive medicine
• Volume: 47
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 270-272
• Publication date: 2008-09-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2007.12.008
• EISSN: 1096-0260
• ISSN: 0091-7435
• Language: English
• Keywords: Public Health; Regression Analysis; Health Behavior; Humans; Social Environment; Environment Design; Transportation; Architecture as Topic; Walking; Great Britain; Health Promotion; Life Style; Motor Activity; Environmental Health