Escalator

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Moving Stairway, Moving Staircase

Category

Public Facilities, Public Services, Travel, Transport Facilities

Message / Function

To indicate the location of a public escalator

	Source	Description
	ÖNORM A 3011	Side view of three human figures on escalator
	ISO 7001	Side view of two human figures on escalator
	Tern	Side view of two human figures on escalator
	BS 8501:2002	Side view of two human figures on escalator
	D'source	Side view of two human figures on escalator
	DB	Side view of two human figures on escalator
	EJP	Side view of escalator with human figure
	AIGA	Side view of human figure on escalator
	Eco-Mo Foundation	Side view of human figure on escalator, below arrow pointing upwards
	TC	Side view of human figure with case on lower part of escalator
	Erco	Side view of human figure on upper end of escalator
	BVG	Side view of human figure on lower end of escalator
	Swiss Post	Side view of human figure on lower end of escalator
	KFAI	Side view of human figure on escalator with arrow pointing upwards
	X'70	Side view of human figure on escalator with arrow pointing upwards
	ONCE	Front view of human figure on lower end of escalator with stairs visible in side view
	Dreyfuss	Side view of human figure on escalator with stairs visible and upper end as arrow
	Picto'grafics	Escalator with stairs visible, arrow pointing upwards above
	D/FW	Escalator with stairs visible and upper end as arrow
	Envato	Side view of two escalators, one with human figure on top

Note: Direction up was included and direction down was omitted in this table of escalator pictogram examples above, when versions with a specific direction were available only.

Discussion

A look at the collection above reveals that practically all pictograms show a side view of one or more human figures on an escalator. In some renderings stairs are visible also, and a few variants like the Public Information Symbol No 4110 from the British Standard BS 8501:2002 show floor transitions, too.

In our research we noticed that there is only very limited test data available:

In a Japanese study to propose domestically unified graphical symbols based on scientific methods, the directional pictogram variant labeled as Eco-Mo Foundation reached a comprehension score of 96.1, an almost perfect value (Eco-Mo Foundation, 2001).

No data is available on the importance of specific details like the number of human figures dispayed, the steepness/slope or the size of the bottom and top landing platforms of the escalator shown.

Recommendations

Escalator

For the moment we recommend using a pictogram like public information symbol PI PF 020 of ISO 7001 to indicate the location of a public escalator.

In the long term research identifying the significance of specific details as mentioned above would make sense to optimize the pictograms in use.

Tests of pictograms of referent Escalator

Eco-Mo Foundation (2001): Test data of public information symbols in Japan - Procedure for the testing of public information symbols by the Study Committee. ISO: ISO/TC 145/SC 1 N 329.