The question of standing versus walking flared up recently in Washington, D. C., after the general manager of the Metro, Paul Wiedefeld, said the practice of walking on the left
and standing to the right — as outlined in the Metro’s rules and manners — could damage the escalator.
The escalator company Otis said that was incorrect, an NBC station reported, and Mr. Wiedefeld clarified
that standing two abreast would be safer and reduce the chance of falls if everyone did it.
Jeanine L. Skorinko, a professor of psychology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass., said in an email
that people, especially Americans, like to keep more distance between themselves and strangers “and would rather take the stair below them or walk past them.
However, the “time in system” — or how long it took to stand in line to reach an escalator then
ride it — dropped sharply when everyone stood, according to a blog post by the researchers.
Why You Shouldn’t Walk on Escalators -
By CHRISTOPHER MELEAPRIL 4, 2017
The train pulls into Pennsylvania Station during the morning rush, the doors open and you make a beeline for the escalators.
