Escalator Exit Overcrowding Control With Dynamic Speed Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to effectively monitor and manage overcrowding at the exit areas of escalators and moving walks, posing safety risks by blocking passenger passage or causing accidents due to sudden stops, without integrating with elevator or escalator controllers.
Innovation Solution
A process that continuously monitors queue and exit areas using sensors, calculates free and occupied space, and autonomously adjusts escalator speed or stops it to prevent overcrowding, with optional barriers to manage passenger flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the escalator stops immediately when overcrowding is detected, then passenger safety is improved, but it causes sudden stops that may affect passengers currently using the escalator
Solution Approach 1:
The escalator speed is dynamically adjusted based on real-time passenger flow monitoring. When overcrowding is detected, the speed is gradually reduced rather than immediately stopped, allowing passengers already on the escalator to complete their journey safely while preventing new passengers from entering the overcrowded area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary speed reduction before complete stoppage. By gradually lowering the escalator speed in advance of a complete stop, the system minimizes the impact on passengers already using the escalator while still achieving the safety goal of preventing overcrowding.
2Reliability
If the escalator speed is gradually reduced to prevent overcrowding, then passenger safety is improved, but the productivity of the escalator decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors passenger flow and provides feedback to the control system. When the queue length or passenger density exceeds predefined thresholds, the feedback triggers speed adjustment. This closed-loop control ensures the escalator operates at maximum capacity during normal conditions while automatically reducing speed only when necessary to maintain safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The escalator operating parameters (speed) are changed based on real-time conditions rather than maintaining a fixed speed. The system adjusts speed parameters dynamically according to passenger flow patterns, maintaining high throughput during low-demand periods and reducing speed only when safety thresholds are exceeded.
3Reliability
If barriers are activated to block passenger access during overcrowding, then overcrowding prevention is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier control function is merged with the existing escalator control system. The same processor that monitors passenger flow and controls escalator speed also manages the barrier activation, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically activates barriers based on predefined safety thresholds without requiring manual intervention. The control system self-regulates by comparing real-time passenger flow data against safety criteria and autonomously triggering barrier activation when necessary.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a process for automizing the monitoring of passengers on a passenger moving system (100, 200, 300) comprising the steps of: a) continuously monitoring an area (1, 4) of a first passenger moving system (100, 200, 300) wherein the area (1, 4) is located beyond at least one threshold (3) on the passenger moving system (100, 200, 300) wherein threshold (3) refers to a point of entry or exit.; b) calculating the amount of free and/or occupied space (F) within the area (1, 4); c) detecting a risk of overcrowding in the area (1, 4); d) optionally activating a speed change function on the passenger moving system (100, 200, 300); e) communicating a warning signal to passengers informing them that they should not use the passenger moving system (100, 200, 300).