Originally Posted by
rylan
I sure would hope nobody is replacing the entire escalator just for this feature. I do wonder if there are retrofit kits available however with the updated controller and optical/motion sensors.
I hate to think how long the wait would be to offset the cost of the new and improved escalator by the energy savings. Of course, it would depend on whether the escalator experiences almost constant versus occasional use.
Sometimes I think the energy savings due to these devices in the EU, Japan, etc. are because dumb American tourists see a stopped escalator or moving walkway, assume that it's out of order, and decide to walk without investigating further.