# Is it possible to build a working spiral escalator?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-build-a-working-spiral-escalator/373409>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 20, 2006, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-build-a-working-spiral-escalator/373409 "2006-09-20T13:27:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-build-a-working-spiral-escalator/373409/21 "2006-09-21T16:35:12Z")

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[QUOTE=slaphead]  
Straight escalators are easier to engineer and when not running turn into plain, if slightly awkward, stairs. Given the well-known “can’t walk down a stationary escalatory” syndrome, I imagine a stationary spiral escalator might be a bit of a challenge, especially after chucking-out time.  
[/QUOTE]

Ah, OK. But yes, the impression I’ve gotten from the links so far is these escalators have a far greater radius than those stairs, and so I suspect there’s little extra difficulty walking down them compared to straight ones. Of course, that also removes any of the benefits of a smaller volume needing to be excavated.

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**Author:** ![JpnDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-build-a-working-spiral-escalator/373409/22 "2006-09-21T16:39:22Z")

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[QUOTE=Sunspace]  
Has anyone ever built an escalator that levels off and then resumes climbing? It would have a ‘landing’, where people could exit and enter sideways.  
[/QUOTE]

Yes and no, there are two escalators at a local train station here in Tokyo, Japan. They rise like a regular escalator then level off before rising again. However, there are no entrances or exits to the sides.

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