Dual Rated Speeds Escalator in Rapid Transit System with Extended Ramping Up and Down

To cater for different needs of escalator operating speeds in rapid transit systems (i.e. higher rated speed of 0.75m/s during peak hours is for effective discharging of passengers while slower rated speed of 0.50m/s during off-peak hours is for elderly passengers), we have introduced the dual rated speed escalator. Conventionally, the switching between 2 rated speeds can be done either manually through a key switch or automatically when no passengers are detected on the escalators at pre-set timing. However, there is a possibility of not being able to change speed if there are constant passengers coming into the rapid transit station, taking the escalators. Therefore, this shortcoming will be overcome by setting up a schedule timetable to do the safe switching of escalator rated speeds with passengers riding on the escalators with extended ramping up and down without comprising any safety requirements. This paper presents the case studies conducted on an existing station where a performance–based approach was adopted. The timing for the speed ramping up/down between the 2 rated speeds has been increased to 30 seconds in order to reduce the acceleration which results in minimizing the acceleration (vibration) and the rate of change of this acceleration (jerk). The objective is to ensure that the passenger’s perception are imperceptible and do not experience any abnormal and sudden change of vibration and jerk during the switching of dual rated speeds with extended ramping up and down.