What is the difference between an escalator and a travelator?

Escalators and travelators are both types of conveyor systems used to move people, but they operate in different ways.

What is an Escalator?

An escalator is a set of moving stairs that are designed to transport people between different levels of a building. An escalator consists of a continuously moving belt of stairs that travel on a looped track, which is powered by an electric motor. The speed of an escalator is typically fixed, and passengers ride on the stairs while holding onto handrails for stability.

What is a Travelator?

A travelator, on the other hand, is a flat conveyor belt that transports passengers horizontally or on a slight incline over short to medium distances. Like an escalator, passengers can stand or walk on a travelator, which moves at a constant speed, typically between 0.5 to 1 meter per second. Travelators are often used in places such as airports or shopping centers to help people move more quickly between different locations.

In summary, while both escalators and travelators are used to transport people in public spaces, the main difference is that an escalator moves people up or down between different levels of a building, while a travelator moves people horizontally or on a slight incline over short to medium distances.