Lovin' an escalator
- 29 Jun 06, 04:28 PM
BERLIN - Unexpected interest in the German escalator phenomenon obliges me to explain. (Though Eva did a pretty good job in her response to my last post.)
Basically the escalators don't move until someone approaches, when sensors pick up the movement. If you're at the bottom, it then carries you up. If you're at the top, it carries you down, unless there's already someone on the way up, in which case you have to wait till they get off.
(Hint, not all escalators do this - please don't stand there for hours on end.)
I include a pic of an escalator in Berlin, though Claire's link above has far better pix. (Claire are we not giving you enough work?)
Comments Post your comment
Sam - could you please settle a bet for me? My friend says those two people are going down the escalator. I say they are going up - but facing the wrong way.
Which of us is right?
Complain about this post
wow! now i have to go to germany someday! would have hours of fun with those!
Complain about this post
This blog is about sports, isn't it?
So kick the bloody escalators and use your feet on the stairs!
Complain about this post
i´m pretty sure they go down, because i´m german and the red lights above the handle indicate don´t go or you will faceplant..
Complain about this post
What if you are disabled and you wish to use it but people constantly come the other direction?
Complain about this post
I think the Spanish may have one up on both the English and German escalator systems. In Palma airport (Majorca) an escalator only moves in one direction (that's either up or down...) but doesn't actually move until somebody steps onto it. Thus, you have the energy economy without the queuing issues that people seem so upset about. Lovely.
Sam, your investigations into German culture are very stimulating, I think the Pulitzer panel will be interested ;-)
Complain about this post
Most escalators in Germany are one way as in Palma airport.
The 2-way ones are very frustrating if you are waiting for it to stop and then someone gets on the other end and you have to wait again. However, watching German OAPs standing at the top shouting at people to getting on the bottom does make rather good entertainment though.
Complain about this post
Most escalators in Germany are one way as in Palma airport.
The 2-way ones are very frustrating if you are waiting for it to stop and then someone gets on the other end and you have to wait again. However, watching German OAPs standing at the top shouting at people to stop getting on the bottom does make rather good entertainment.
Complain about this post
Mike, they have lifts as well, you know.
Complain about this post
This is hard to say whether the escalator is going up or down but I am pretty sure the attraction of the tournament is going up. Only 8 teams are now waiting to touch the cup. The escalator will be continuing its going up till the 9th of July. It is yet to see the teams who will be in the escalator going down.
Complain about this post
Razib, can you please explain how teams will go down the escalator if there are teams going up the escalator? And vice versa?
Based on what Sam has told us about the design of German escalators, this cannot happen at the same time. Do you advocate some sort of queueing system, perhaps with numbered tickets? Or a free-for-all? Though I must warn you that might result in a scuffle.
PS Please can someone answer my question! There is money riding on it, and honour too.
Complain about this post