ABSTRACT
As escalators are becoming an increasingly common feature in our urban environment, an exploratory study of the problem was conducted focusing on the potential solution areas of guide dog training, protective equipment design and escalator design. Interviews were conducted with guide dog owners in the UK to more fully understand their experiences. Existing dog protection systems were also examined and anthropometric data collected on a sample of guide dogs. Many of us now take escalators for granted whilst travelling around the urban environment but for some people, they are difficult and dangerous to navigate leading to social exclusion. Whilst guide dogs bring independence to many blind people one disadvantage is that dogs are prohibited from using escalators in the UK; BS EN115 indicates that “escalators are not suitable for use by animals”. In some countries, for example the USA, dogs are successfully trained to walk on and off escalators with instruction.
