Do you think that it could have something to do with handedness? Ie, right handers try to pass on the right, and left handers on the left. I know it sounds odd, but when I come up to someone, I feel as if my right hand is ‘buzzing’ - telling me to go right. As there are more right handers, perhaps that has something to do with the apparent preference.
You know I was just in London last week. I notice the exact opposite. In tunnels with the dividing rails most every body walked on the right. I commented to my wife that it seemed odd given that the people drive on the left.
I think the keep right thing on staircases/escalators is because people tend to use their right hand to pull/hold themselves up (as I think somebody else already already mentioned).