This is important because the gap between the moving steps and the stationary skirt panel is one of the most dangerous parts of an escalator. If something gets caught in that gap, it can lead to serious injuries.
A Psychological Deterrent
Interestingly, the brushes aren’t designed to physically stop anything from entering the gap—they’re not strong enough to push objects away. Instead, they work as a psychological deterrent. When your foot or clothing brushes against the bristles, the sensation makes you instinctively move away from the edge.
This simple feedback mechanism reduces the chances of entrapment, especially in high-traffic areas like malls, airports, and train stations.
Why Not Just Seal the Gap?
You might wonder why escalators don’t just eliminate the gap entirely. The reason is mechanical: escalator steps need a small amount of clearance to move smoothly around the track. Trying to completely seal this gap could interfere with the escalator’s operation or cause friction that would wear down parts faster.
So, engineers opted for a smart workaround: use the space, but make it safer.
Safety Beyond the Brushes
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