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

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.