In message , at 13:44:41 on
Sat, 14 Nov 2015, Recliner remarked:
You need a flat platform for the wheelchair to roll on to, some kind of
mechanism like they have on stretchers to go into ambulances but with a
graduated rather than step mechanism, some kind of braking and some self
levelling. The user and their wheelchair could be loaded on to the
carriage someway away from the top or bottom of the escalator and then
the thing could be maneuvered (or act like a roomba - a bit of vacuuming
of a lot of stations wouldn't go amiss either) onto the esclator.

I accept it may require a "helper" of some description but given the
closure of ticket offices, there are meant to be TfL employees out in
the wild who could help.

Even if such a thing cost £100k per station that's a shedload cheaper
than a new lift...

Somehow, I can't imagine the H&S people approving something like
that...

How does it differ from a trolley loaded with 50kg of shopping which
locks itself onto a Sainsbury's/Adsa inclined travelator, and rarely
fails such that it careers down into whoever is in front.

A smooth travelator is a lot easier than sliding steps.

Steps are easier because the surface you are gripping is horizontal.

And a wheelchair with a disabled person on board needs more protection
than a trolley (or luggage) on an inclined travelator.

It the person ahead, lower on the slope, who needs the protection
(whether from a shopping trolley or a person in a chair).
--
Roland Perry