In message , at 17:22:40 on Sun, 15
Sep 2013, Eric remarked:
If only a couple of people are walking up the left-hand side then the
If escalator can only be working at 50% capacity.

Only if there's a queue to board.

Capacity has nothing to do with any queue there may or may not be.

OK, it only matters if there's a queue.

At busy times escalators would be more efficient if standing on both sides
At were compulsory.

No, walking up both sides would be the most efficient. But the compromise
is that people stand on one side, and walk up the other side.

Only if everyone was the same distance apart as if they were just standing
(unlikely) and everyone was moving at the same speed relative to the steps
(also unlikely). The "compromise" is a system that reduces throughput in
order to give the energetic able-bodied the ability to get through a bit
faster.

No, the throughput increases as long as the walkers don't more than
double their spacing.

The tourists are right.

No, they are always wrong.

You are being arrogant and xenophobic.

You are just as wrong to think that all tourists are foreigners.
--
Roland Perry