Ministry Of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan
International University of Information Technologies
Department of Languages

Research Paper
Pros and Cons Of Using Escalator

Autumn 2015

Done by: Orazaliyev Daulet
Group: IS137R
Advisor: senior-lecturer Kaldarova A.

Almaty, 2015

Abstract

This research was designed to know opinions of people related to escalators. The idea was to introduce and reinforce the importance of escalators usage in our life, is it so necessary. The research ran for about 2 months during the autumn of 2015. Participants were different persons in a street, were asked some questions about their thoughts escalator in subway. Results show that most of people prefer escalator rather than use stairs.

Table of contents

I. Introduction
1. Statement of problem

II. Body 1. Functions of Escalator 1.1 What is an escalator? 1.2 Application 2. Pros and Cons
2.1 Pros
2.2 Cons III. Conclusion

IV. References V. Appendices

Introduction

The main topic of my research is about pros and cons of using escalator. It is determined by the increased importance of the escalator and its role in our life. As I guess, escalator is the kind of technique which has many advantages, but also it has some harmful impacts. That is why this problem has still being unsolved in many countries. Some years ago, the first subway was opened in Almaty, 2011, dedicated to Kazakhstan’s 20 years of Independence. I think, it is each right to use escalator in subway or not, nevertheless it is up to your case. Then the percentage of people who prefer stairs is only 20%, meanwhile 80% of people in subway use escalator. In especial cases, people use escalator. The situations are like when people have with themselves luggage or garbage. In other cases, people are just lazy. The research problem is the reason why little amount of users picks stairs rather than escalator. The analysis of the current situation has led us to the hypothesis that advantages of escalator are prevailing over disadvantages. The above hypothesis has been tested by using the method of a simple survey. Data was collected by an undifferentiated random sampling. Also during research the features of Internet were used, I mean, forums, little questionnaries in groups. The paper is divided into 5 sections: Abstract which is a synopsis of the whole paper; Introduction containing the project rationale, the research topic, problem, hypothesis, method and the paper structure; Literature Review or theoretical part, summarizing the relevant historical information about escalator; Practical part comprising Materials and Procedures, Results and Discussion presenting the research proper; and Conclusion containing a summary of the research findings and contribution, recommendations based on our findings and prospects for the future research.

LITERATURE REVIEW

1. Functions of Escalator

1.1 What is an escalator? An escalator is a moving staircase – a conveyor transport device for carrying people between floors of a building. The device consists of a motor-driven chain of individual, linked steps that move up or down on tracks, allowing the step treads to remain horizontal. Escalators have the capacity to move large numbers of people, and they can be placed in the same physical space as a staircase. They have no waiting interval (except during very heavy traffic), they can be used to guide people toward main exits or special exhibits, and they may be weatherproofed for outdoor use. A non-functioning escalator can function as a normal staircase, whereas many other conveyances become useless when they break down.

2.2 Escalator : Application

Escalators are used around the world to move pedestrian traffic in places where elevators would be impractical. Principal areas of usage include department stores, shopping malls, airports, transit systems, convention centers, hotels, arenas, stadiums, train stations (subways) and public buildings.

2. Escalator: Pros and Cons
2.1 Escalator : Pros

High Loading Rate Compared to an elevator, an escalator can move more people for short distances. An elevator has limited capacity. Since it can only hold but so many people at one time, when one elevator fills up, you have to wait for the next one to come. Escalators on the other hand don't have a problem with capacity. You get on, then immediately the escalator provides a step for the next person to get on and so on -- thus an endless stream of steps.
Retail Use If an escalator is located in a department store, then the escalator can guide customers to a certain area. The store can strategically place products around the escalator to get the attention of customers stepping off it. Likewise, if the escalator is in a sporting facility, then when a fan steps off the escalator, there can be apparel or food available for them to purchase.

Safety Escalator safety is a big concern, especially for children. Each year, escalator accidents are responsbile for numerous trips to the emergency room. These accidents can occur due to loose scarves, shoe strings or other articles of clothing becoming stuck in the escalator. Little hands and feet have been caught in escalators as well, so hold onto your child's hand on an escalator. Escalators do have an emergency shutoff button.

Accessibility Escalators may be a convenient form of moving people; however, if you are handicapped or traveling with a stroller, then the escalator instantly becomes an inconvenience. It is not safe to take a stroller, walker or even a cart on an escalator.

3.3 Escalator : Cons

They waste energy and encourage obesity by not making people walk up stairs. Escalators are of benefit to people with disabilities though those people would be more accommodated in elevators. Then they are dangerous for people to get on and get off. Inadequate people take strollers on them and endanger the babies in the strollers. After that, escalators are less complicated than elevators and take up less space. They are a modern convenience intended to make our life easier. Finally, they keep people employed as they always seem to be out of service. D.Orazaliyev (2015) Almaty.

Materials and methods
For this research I used simple survey with random sampling. Sampling was done near subway stations (Baikonur and Almaly). I wanted to identify the percentage of people who prefer escalator rather than stairs. The questions what asked to participants related to application of escalator: * How many times per day do you use escalator? * Does escalator solve all problems what stairs can solve? * What is the velocity of escalator mechanism? * What is the length of escalator at this subway station?
Questions what asked to people related to advantages of escalator : * In accordance ten-point scale how do you evaluate the escalator’s usability? * In accordance ten-point scale how do you evaluate the stairs’ usability? * Name two main reasons why you pick escalators?
Questions what asked to people related to escalator’s disadvantages: * According to 10-ball scale how do you evaluate the escalator’s safety? * Do you realize that using escalator leads to obesity?

The results of survey are provided (see video and figures).

Results and discussion

The figure 1 shows that most of 25 people use escalator rather than stairs. Also the figure 2 shows how many times people use escalator per one day. Obviously escalators make our life easier. Suggested hypothesis was prove by survey. Results provide that the most of people evaluate the usability of escalator predominantly 7-8 points in accordance to 10-ball scale (fig.3), while stairs’ the most frequent results were just 4-5 points (fig.4). Research helps me to realize that people are not well informed about technical characteristics of escalator. Figure 5 shows that only 15% of 25 users knows about it. Despite of it, people name us two main reasons why they pick escalator. Figure provides information that usability and safety were the most frequent answers. All these facts are approved despite of frequent using escalator lead to problems related to health, but people are not going to stop using escalator.

Conclusion