Travellators (moving walkways)

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Location and identification

The travellator should be located in a logical position and easily recognisable.

A travellator, or moving walkway, can be level or inclined and is generally installed where building users need to move over long distances or different levels. Travellators can be particularly relevant for people with stamina limitations.

People who are anxious, unsteady on their feet, have limited or no walking capacity, or who cannot move quickly on or off the moving walkway will find their use difficult and will avoid them.

Similarly designed travellators within a building will provide consistency and familiarity to building users.

People with visual impairment may only be able locate the travellator by way of tactile, visual and auditory cues.

If there is no-one using the travellator it may not be easy at a distance to appreciate the direction of movement.

Design considerations

• Provide appropriate signage to identify the location of the travellator. This is particularly important if visual screening is unavoidable.
• Attention can be drawn to a travellator by using higher levels of local illumination. 
• The use of different floor finishes can assist in identifying the position, start and finish of travellators.
• Provide information to clearly identify the direction of movement and destination of the travellator.
• Ensure the design of spaces allows for adjacent pathways for those who do not wish to use the travellator. 
• Consider the installation of alternative methods of moving people (e.g. electric buggy) who cannot use travellators.
• Provide information on the length of time it will take to walk between destinations.
• Where the travellator is inclined, the convenient provision of a ramp, steps, and lift should also be made.

Building Code requirement

Building Code clause F8 Signs:

F8.2 Signs must be provided in and about buildings to identify: (d) accessible routes and facilities for people with disabilities.

Ease of use

The design of the travellator should accommodate its convenient and easy use by all building users.

It is sometimes difficult to determine the direction a travellator is moving or whether it is stationary.

The direction of the travellator can sometimes be picked up by observing the contrasting markings on the moving handrail.

The approach to a travellator should be level and wide enough for all building users.

Travellators should be designed to make the transition between stationary and moving surfaces easy and safe.

There is no design requirement as to which side to stand or walk. It is possible that building users follow the conventions of the road rules they are most used to, or stand next to the adjacent pathway.

In supermarkets and shopping centres, trolleys can be moved on inclined travellators. Building users should know if the design of the travellator will lock the trolley wheels.

Design considerations

• Design the maximum slope of inclined travellators to ensure that all users are able to do so comfortably and easily.
• Provide contrasting tactile and visual features to alert to the presence of the travellator.
• Ensure the direction of movement of the travellator is clearly indicated with a sign at both ends.
• Ensure circulation space leading to the travellator has even predicable floor levels and of sufficient width for use by people with small children or carrying packages.
• Provide contrasting indicators on the moving handrail.
• Ensure there is a clear visual indication of the junction between moving and stationary floor surfaces.
• Ensure the travellator is wide enough for its anticipated use.
• Provide lighting under the handrails. 
• Ensure the clear headroom is sufficient and maintained through the full length of the travellator.
• Provide guidance as to which side to stand and which side to walk.
• Where trolleys are anticipated, install safety signs as to their correct use.

Building Code requirement

Building Code clause D2 Mechanical installations for access:

D2.3.1 Mechanical installations for access shall: (a) move people safely, and stop and hold as required for the normal use of the installation, for all loads up to and including 25% in excess of the rated load, b) not (produce excessive acceleration or deceleration,

D2.3.2 Mechanical installations for access shall be provided with: (a) adequate control over normal use, to ensure people’s safety throughout any operation involving starting, stopping or changing the direction of travel, (c) adequate lighting and ventilation for both normal and emergency use.

Travellator safety

The design of the travellator should make its use as safe as possible.

Stepping on to a travellator means transferring from a stationary surface to a moving one. It is essential that the position of this change is obvious.

In order for building users to keep their balance and feel comfortable, changes in speed should occur safely and predictably.

Many building user will want to hold the moving handrail to steady themselves. It is important that this is within reach, easy to hold and is moving at the same speed as the floor.

When the building user is approaching the end of the travellator, they need to be aware of the upcoming transition to a stationary surface. Building users who are blind or have low vision or others who are distracted, may not be aware that this is approaching so aural warning is important.

Travellators can run in either direction. Safety provisions need to work for both directions of travel.

In the event of power interruptions, a travellator may stop and start without warning.

Design considerations

• Select the speed of movement and the angle of the travellator to make access easy and safe.
• Ensure the footway at both ends of the travellator is wide enough and long enough and provides both visual and tactile warnings.
• If movement sensors are used to detect the approach of users on demand travellators, ensure the change in speed occurs safely and predictably and without inconvenience to passengers. 
• Ensure the travellator surface has a matt, non-reflective, and non-slip finish. 
• Ensure the moving handrail is synchronised with the speed of the travellator, is comfortably within reach and extends past the end of the moving section. Ensure emergency stop controls are clearly identified and within reach of all users.
• Ensure safety provisions work for both directions of travel.

Building Code requirement

Building Code clause D2 Mechanical installations for access

D2.3.1 Mechanical installations for access shall: (a) move people safely, and stop and hold as required for the normal use of the installation, for all loads up to and including 25% in excess of the rated load, b) not (produce excessive acceleration or deceleration,

D2.3.2 Mechanical installations for access shall be provided with: (a) adequate control over normal use, to ensure people’s safety throughout any operation involving starting, stopping or changing the direction of travel, (c) adequate lighting and ventilation for both normal and emergency use.