Are the two rows of large brushes at the bottom of the escalator used to brush the shoes of passers-by?

When I was a kid, escalators were a novelty. During the holidays, my dad would take me to the city and ride the escalator back and forth for an entire afternoon.

Although escalators are very popular now, our doubts about them have increased:

The handrail always seems to be faster than the steps. Is it a work error?

What are the rows of bristles on both sides of the steps for?

Why are there bumps on the slope next to the escalator?
If there are too many people on the escalator, will it collapse?

After reading this article, you will have more useless knowledge about escalators in your mind.

Handrails are faster to save lives

Next time you take an escalator, place your hands on the handrails at your sides. When you reach the end of the escalator, you will probably find that your hands, which were originally at your sides, have moved to the front of you along with the handrails.

The handrail rolls faster than the steps. Was it a mistake made by the staff?

That is not the case.

The current relevant national standards stipulate that the speed of the handrail must be 0% to 2% faster than the steps - that is, it can be the same speed, it can be faster, but not slower[1].

Furthermore, if the system detects that the handrail is moving slower than the steps for a period of time, it will stop the entire escalator[1].

This is because, once danger occurs and you need to avoid it, if your arms are behind you (that is, the handrail is slower than the steps), the range of motion of your entire body will be limited; if your arms are in front of you (that is, the handrail is faster than the steps), the range of motion of your shoulder joints will be greater, and you will be more flexible in avoiding danger.

Setting the handrail speed in this way is also a lesson learned from blood.

You can find a lot of news on the Internet, saying that when you take an escalator, the steps are rolling but the handrails are stationary, and it is easy for people to fall backwards if they stand on it and hold the handrails.

Therefore, adjusting the handrail speed a little faster is to save lives!

The bristles are not for brushing shoes

There is a row of hard bristles on both sides of the escalator steps. All those who have observed this racked their brains and, based on their life experience, came to the most reliable conclusion: the bristles are used to brush passengers' shoes.

There is some truth to that, but it is not the right one.

This row of bristles, scientifically known as the apron anti-pinch device, covers the upper part of the gap between the steps and the side baffles to prevent passengers' overly long trouser legs, skirt hems, and shoelaces from getting caught in the gap. It can also prevent small items such as coins from falling into the gap and damaging the escalator.

Do you understand? Not only can this thing not clean your shoes, but it also specifically prevents you from putting your feet through it!

Metal balls are not for rock climbing

You must have noticed the metal hemispheres and metal blocks on the outside of the escalator handrails, which are placed at regular intervals.

There has been much speculation about its purpose:

Prevent Jackie Chan from sliding down the escalator during a fight;

Public playthings, let passengers coat the balls with varnish;

Convenient for rock climbing enthusiasts...

The guess that is closest to the correct answer is to guard against Jackie Chan.

This hemispherical object is called an anti-slip device. It is mainly used to prevent naughty children from using the outside of the escalator as a slide. It can also prevent passengers from placing their luggage on the outside of the escalator.

Some naughty netizens said that after adding the anti-slip device, it is more exciting to use the escalator as a slide. Let me show you a more exciting anti-slip device.

In fact, in order to prevent naughty children and some naughty adults, escalators have to be equipped with anti-climbing devices and blocking devices. I haven't found out whether there is a story behind the birth of these devices, so let's use our imagination and learn from the lessons.

In addition, many large supermarkets will place promotional items in the empty spaces on both sides of the escalator - this can indeed prevent naughty children from sliding down the slide, but it is really dangerous to let customers reach out to take objects and bend over to buy on the escalator.

The elevator will not be flattened

How many people, like me, worry that there will be too many people on the escalator during rush hours in the morning and evening, causing the escalator to be flattened or collapsed?

This worry is unnecessary.

The relevant standards stipulate that escalators must be able to withstand a load of at least 5,000 Newtons per square meter, which does not include the escalator's own weight.

What does this mean? That is, an escalator that is 1 meter wide and 10 meters long horizontally can bear 5,000 kilograms in a stationary state, which is almost the total weight of 80 adults.

The above is theory, the actual operation is more complicated.

For example, an escalator that is 1 meter wide and 10 meters long can carry 80 people, but what if these people are carrying particularly heavy luggage?

Therefore, many supermarkets have railings at the entrance of the escalator to block shopping carts, or install an escalator that can hold shopping carts, on the one hand to prevent the risk of shopping carts tipping over, on the other hand to prevent the escalator from being overloaded.

If the escalator is really overloaded, it will "strike".

Among the requirements for monitoring devices and electrical safety-related devices, the first item listed is "overload." In this case, the monitoring module will generally cut off the power supply to the motor to protect the motor.

In short, if there are too many people on the escalator and you feel it is dangerous, don't worry about the escalator being overloaded and flattened. Just wait until there are fewer people before getting on.

It is not recommended to walk on the left and stand on the right

When riding an escalator, it has become a habit for many people to stand on the right side if they are not in a hurry, leaving the space on the left for those who are in a hurry.

But this concept may need to be changed.

The first is the issue of safety.

As early as 2016, data from an escalator inspection at Nanjing Metro showed that 95% of escalators had serious wear and tear on the right side and tilt problems[2]. Similar problems were also found at Guangzhou Metro[3]. These problems will increase the safety risks of escalators and shorten their service life.

In addition, not only is the escalator rolling, but the height of each step is greater than that of an ordinary staircase. Therefore, if someone hurrying on the left side loses his or her balance and falls, many other people may fall with him or her.

Secondly, giving up the space on the left will not save much time for people who are in a hurry.

The Beijing Evening News conducted an experiment. In the same subway station, if you stand still on the escalator, it takes 45 seconds to get from the station to the exit. If there are no obstacles along the way and you run up the escalator quickly, it only takes 21 seconds less. If you have to avoid pedestrians and luggage during this rush, you will only have 8 to 15 seconds left.

In addition, if everyone stands still on the escalator, the escalator can theoretically carry more people. After all, walking on the escalator requires space to move in front and behind [4].

Many cities around the world no longer advocate walking on the left and standing on the right, so how should we take the escalator? Four words: stand firmly and hold on.

Finally, there is another question about escalators. I really can't figure out why. I hope friends who know the answer or guess the answer can share their knowledge in the comments:

Everyone stands on the escalator, so why do we say "sitting" on the escalator?

References

[1] GB 16899-2011 Safety specification for the manufacture and installation of escalators and moving walks

[2]http://www.nbd.com.cn/articles/2018-05-12/1216371.html

[3] http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018-04/26/c_1122743149.htm

[4]https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jan/16/the-tube-at-a-standstill-why-tfl-stopped-people-walking-up-the-escalators

Author: Li Xiaokui, Owl

Editor: Li Xiaokui, Window Knocking Rain

Title image source: Jason Torchinsky

Guokr (ID: Guokr42)

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Source : Guokr