This blog post examines whether the two-line standing movement within escalator etiquette culture can truly satisfy both safety and efficiency.
I barely escaped the crowded subway during morning rush hour and sprinted toward the exit. To avoid being late for class, I absolutely had to catch the 9 a.m. shuttle bus. Running would get me there in time. Hurrying toward the exit, I headed for the escalator only to find a long line. What was this line for? It was the line to get on the escalator. Oh no, I hadn’t even considered this as a variable. Everyone was lined up in two lines, and I, in a hurry, kept checking my phone watch and tapping my feet impatiently. But it was useless. I tried to go to the stairs, but there were no stairs, only escalators. In the end, I missed the shuttle bus and had to wait 15 minutes for the next one.
When you see escalators installed in subway stations or regular buildings, most people line up in a single file. Single-file standing refers to leaving one side (the left) of a typically two-lane escalator clear for people in a hurry. This practice began in 1998 as a campaign by some civic groups, aiming to foster a mature escalator culture ahead of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. Surprisingly, single-file standing took root well, and now almost everyone practices it when using escalators. The right lane is used by those who wish to walk slowly, while the left lane is automatically kept clear for those in a hurry to walk or run up the escalator.
However, as accidents on escalators have become more frequent recently, a new “two-line standing” campaign has been created to replace the single-line standing campaign. The Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation and the Korea Elevator Safety Management Institute launched the two-line standing campaign starting in September 2007. Two-line standing involves people standing on both lines to move, without walking or running, instead of leaving the existing single line empty.
The background for starting the two-line standing campaign is as follows. First is the safety issue. According to the Korea Elevator Safety Management Institute, escalator-related accidents numbered only 4 in 2002, before the single-file standing culture took hold. However, the number rose to 9 in 2004, 43 in 2006, 108 in 2008, and 109 in 2010, increasing at a higher rate than the growth in escalator installations. Officials from Seoul Metro and related agencies believe the single-file line practice has contributed to the rise in accidents. People walking up escalators often fail to grip the handrail properly, making them prone to falling. If they fall, their clothing can get caught in the escalator, leading to accidents. Additionally, the height of escalator steps is greater than that of regular stairs, increasing the likelihood of falling when walking or running. Second is the issue of elevator breakdowns. Seoul Metro stated that single-file standing causes weight to shift to one side, specifically the right, leading to uneven wear on the elevator, which shortens the equipment’s lifespan. Uneven wear incurs inspection costs, and breakdowns increase replacement costs. The industry estimates that this uneven wear reduces escalator lifespans, typically 20-25 years, by at least 2 years.
Thus, two-line standing demonstrates superiority over single-file standing in terms of safety and cost savings. Consequently, the two-line standing campaign should be more widely implemented than the existing single-file campaign. However, in practice, many people still predominantly use single-file standing. Five years have passed since the two-line standing campaign began, but actual implementation remains weak compared to promotional efforts. The reasons two-line standing hasn’t become widespread are: First, single-file standing is perceived as more efficient. Especially during busy early morning commutes, rushed individuals can use the left lane to walk up quickly, while those with more time can stand on the right lane. Second, it’s due to others’ reactions. When standing in the left lane to queue in two lines, people worry about the response from those behind them. In reality, some who stand in the left lane get scolded by the person behind them, or even if they don’t want to walk up, they end up having to do so because of the person behind them.
Considering that the second reason involves people being forced into a single line due to those wanting to go faster, the presence of people wanting to go faster becomes the main reason two-line queuing isn’t well implemented. So, can the principle that safety is important change the behavior of those wanting to go faster? The reason for wanting to go faster could be due to urgent matters or personal inclination. Reasons stemming from personal disposition might improve once two-line queuing is established, but those with urgent matters won’t feel compelled to follow it. Since missing a bus or subway by just a few seconds is possible, enforcing strict two-line queuing on escalators is problematic.
So how should single-line and two-line queuing be implemented? From the perspective of general users, it should be implemented as follows: First, implement single-file queuing in places or during times when many people are in a hurry, and double-file queuing otherwise. Subway stations have a higher proportion of hurried people than other locations. This is especially severe during morning commutes or evening rush hours. In such cases, allowing single-file queuing to let hurried people move quickly should take precedence over rigidly enforcing double-file queuing. At Exit 3 of Seoul National University Station, for example, a long line forms for the upward escalator during morning hours. Implementing a single-file line here reduces congestion within the station, increases passenger flow, and lessens overall crowding. This allows those in a hurry to move quickly while those with more time can proceed at a leisurely pace. Conversely, during relatively quieter daytime hours, a two-file line can be implemented.
In general shopping malls, most visitors come to enjoy leisurely shopping, so the proportion of people in a hurry is likely lower than at subway stations. In such cases, implementing two-line queuing should be feasible without issue.
While there may be counterarguments that allowing single-file queuing could increase accident risks, during peak times and in crowded locations, two-line queuing can actually cause greater congestion. Considering the accident risks this creates, it’s more practical to move quickly to reduce the time people are crowded together. However, it’s true that the risk of accidents is higher when single-file queuing is enforced, so to reduce this, second, people should develop the habit of holding the escalator handrail. Not many people hold the handrail, whether walking up the escalator or standing still. If the escalator suddenly stops while someone is riding without holding the handrail, an accident can occur. Developing the habit of holding the handrail would prevent over half of these accidents. This applies not only to single-file lines but also to double-file lines. People should make it a habit to hold the escalator handrail for safer use.
Third, use the stairs. If you’re truly in a hurry, using the stairs is often faster and safer than the escalator. Therefore, at subway stations where both stairs and escalators are available, using the stairs can reduce the risk of accidents.
Furthermore, organizations installing escalators must pay greater attention to safe installation and maintenance, even when implementing single-file queuing. Subway stations often install only escalators instead of stairs due to limited space. In such cases, the risk of accidents increases significantly when crowds gather. Installing stairs instead of escalators on relatively less-used down escalators can alleviate the concentration of people on escalators. In areas with high passenger flow, installing stairs alongside escalators is advisable. If this is impossible, widening the escalator width to create more space is also a good solution.
Long ago, an article dated July 11, 2012, reported on a survey conducted at Seoul Station in South Korea asking citizens about the two-line queue system. The results showed that while about 76% of people were aware of the two-line queue campaign, 42.1% admitted they didn’t consistently follow it. The most frequently cited reason was “because I remember being scolded for not walking.” When people walk quickly, it’s hard to stand alone. However, 78% of respondents stated they were willing to follow the two-line queue system. This suggests the two-line queue movement has the potential to become as commonplace as the single-line queue. While both safety and efficiency are important factors, isn’t efficiency being emphasized more in our society today? If safety is prioritized in both single-file and double-file queuing, a mature escalator usage culture that balances both safety and efficiency could take root.
