[orangeeater]

I get to the subway via one of the long and steep escalators mentioned in the article. I'd say about 30-35% of people walk down and 10-15% walk up. I walk up and down.

Few general remarks:

1. If people have lots of luggage or aren't comfortable using the escalator, they can take the elevator (and they do).

2. Saying that standing would prevent accidents is like saying banning cars would prevent accidents - not a particularly helpful observation. Humans are only willing to minimize risk up to a point.

3. The more complicated argument in the article is that standing would increase capacity. I don't know - I avoid rush hour, but the escalators seem empty enough so that I can walk up/down unobstructed. It's hard for me to see how I'm negatively affecting capacity. In cases where the escalator is packed, I'll stand rather than being pushy, but that never happens during the week.