Lifts and heavy duty escalators to improve safety

BEIJING - A new set of design rules calls for pedestrian bridges and underground passages in the capital to be built with heavy-duty escalators that have brakes to prevent them from suddenly stopping or reversing direction.

And more barrier-free accommodations should be made to ensure the disabled can use them, according to the Design Discipline for Barrier-free Equipment on Pedestrian Bridges and Underground Passages, which will take effect on Sept 1.

Experts say that only escalators that are considered "heavy duty" should be used in public transport facilities.