What is a moving walkway?
A moving walkway is a horizontal or gently inclined moving surface on which people are carried without walking. You know it from airports, large rail and metro stations, exhibition halls and car parks. It is also called a travelator or moving pavement; in Dutch it is a rolstoep or rolpad. Functionally it is the horizontal counterpart of the escalator: the same drive and the same safety principles, but without steps.
Two constructions
- Pallet type — the walking surface is made of metal pallets, like escalator steps but flat. Robust, suitable for heavy use and for baggage trolleys and shopping trolleys.
- Moving belt type — one continuous rubber belt. Quieter and smoother, but more vulnerable to damage.
Inclined versions, widely used between retail floors or car park decks, often have a special grooved surface so that trolley wheels lock into it and do not roll.
What to allow for in the building
- Gradient. Horizontal walkways run level to a few degrees. Inclined versions typically go up to about 12 degrees; steeper becomes uncomfortable and unsafe for standing passengers with luggage.
- Floor construction. The machine sits in a pit in the floor. The structural depth required and the loads on the slab govern, and must be allowed for in the shell — retrofitting is a major intervention.
- Entry and exit zones. Both ends need a clear, unobstructed zone so that people can step on and off calmly. A door or a crossing route immediately at the end is a well-known design error.
- Standards. Escalators and moving walks in Europe fall under the safety standard EN 115, which sets requirements for comb-plate sealing, emergency stop, handrail speed and trapping protection, among others.
- Accessibility. A moving walkway is welcome for people with luggage or limited stamina, but it does not replace a lift: anyone using a wheelchair or a walking frame needs one. Always include a lift as well.
Related terms
- Lift
- Jump lift
- Block step
- Step irons
- Load bearing
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.