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Gånghastighet i trappor

Silverberg, Olivia LU (2025) In LUTVDG/TVBB VBRM10 20251
Division of Fire Safety Engineering
Abstract (Swedish)
Stair width, riser height, tread depth and design may vary between different stairs. This study investigated how stairs with a variation of dimensions and designs affect people’s walking patterns, walking speed, and risk of falling. The thesis involved conducting observations and video recordings in six stairways with varying width, riser height, tread depth, and design, in addition to a brief literature study. The designs examined included straight single-flight staircases, U-shaped double-flight staircases, and spiral staircases. Walking speed (m/s), flow rate (people/ms), density (people/m2), distance between people, use of handrail and other qualitative factors were investigated.

The results from the processed data of the... (More)
Stair width, riser height, tread depth and design may vary between different stairs. This study investigated how stairs with a variation of dimensions and designs affect people’s walking patterns, walking speed, and risk of falling. The thesis involved conducting observations and video recordings in six stairways with varying width, riser height, tread depth, and design, in addition to a brief literature study. The designs examined included straight single-flight staircases, U-shaped double-flight staircases, and spiral staircases. Walking speed (m/s), flow rate (people/ms), density (people/m2), distance between people, use of handrail and other qualitative factors were investigated.

The results from the processed data of the observational study showed that walking speed was highest in the straight, wide staircase examined (0.91 m/s). The lowest walking speeds were observed in a narrow spiral staircase and a wide U-shaped staircase. Statistically significant differences in walking speed could be demonstrated between all stairways included in the study, possibly because of the varying designs of the stairways or learning effects. The straight and U-shaped staircases had occupant densities that were generally consistent with previous research. The use of handrails, which is linked to risk of falling, was highest in narrower and/or steeper stairways. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Silverberg, Olivia LU
supervisor
organization
course
VBRM10 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Gånghastighet, gångmönster, trappor, walking speed, gait speed, walking pattern, stairs
publication/series
LUTVDG/TVBB
report number
5742
other publication id
LUTVDG/TVBB--5742--SE
language
Swedish
id
9203928
date added to LUP
2025-06-23 09:15:51
date last changed
2025-06-23 09:15:51
@misc{9203928,
  abstract     = {{Stair width, riser height, tread depth and design may vary between different stairs. This study investigated how stairs with a variation of dimensions and designs affect people’s walking patterns, walking speed, and risk of falling. The thesis involved conducting observations and video recordings in six stairways with varying width, riser height, tread depth, and design, in addition to a brief literature study. The designs examined included straight single-flight staircases, U-shaped double-flight staircases, and spiral staircases. Walking speed (m/s), flow rate (people/ms), density (people/m2), distance between people, use of handrail and other qualitative factors were investigated. 

The results from the processed data of the observational study showed that walking speed was highest in the straight, wide staircase examined (0.91 m/s). The lowest walking speeds were observed in a narrow spiral staircase and a wide U-shaped staircase. Statistically significant differences in walking speed could be demonstrated between all stairways included in the study, possibly because of the varying designs of the stairways or learning effects. The straight and U-shaped staircases had occupant densities that were generally consistent with previous research. The use of handrails, which is linked to risk of falling, was highest in narrower and/or steeper stairways.}},
  author       = {{Silverberg, Olivia}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{LUTVDG/TVBB}},
  title        = {{Gånghastighet i trappor}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}