Research published in the New Scientist reveals that using the travelator at airports, especially at busy times, can actually slow you down. The study by Manoj Srinivasan of Princeton University confirms previous research by Dr Seth Young of Ohio State University, which found that, when using a travelator, people reduce their walking pace and cause blockages. "Moving walkways are the only form of transportation that actually slow people down," said Dr Young.Srinivasan's work suggests that the eye picks up that you are going faster than normal 'leg speed’ and so slows you down to a more comfortable speed - which is only slightly greater than it would have been on regular ground. But the odds are that other travellers will block the way - so on average it takes longer to get from A to B.
The Telegraph reports that travelators have come under fire recently for causing a wave of injuries. In 2006, London Underground estimated they were the most common cause of accidents across the network, and reported 933 injuries from their use. Source: Telegraph, 16 July 2009. tinyurl.com/l24wpl
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