notes.husk.org/likes images.

Alter’s proposal calls for highly visible orange decals that would signal the right side as stationary and the left side as intended for movement. The designer had first tried yellow footsteps, but thought that might be confused with a double yellow line. Alter writes via email that there are already audio announcements and signs reminding people to stand on the right and pass on the left, but neither are effective in an environment filled with advertisements. His bright-colored, conspicuous design, on the other hand, is meant to cut through the “visual noise” at transit centers and transcend language barriers. 

Is this the simple solution busy commuters have been waiting for? Alter thinks so, but Transport for London, the city’s public transportation authority, is not yet convinced. Alter writes, “I had a long and frustrating correspondence with TFL, who said they are aware of the obstruction issue. But instead of considering my proposal, they promised to enhance the signs and announcements.” Alter even proposed that he test the decals for a brief period and remove them afterwards himself, but the TFL rejected this idea. 

Alter has not given up and is now appealing to the public…

I’m not convinced this is a good idea. The problem simply isn’t significant enough to merit this. And the way people are most likely to recognise the ‘stand on the right’ rule is not through graphic design, but observation of what everyone else does.

Source: A Potentially Brilliant Idea to Keep Escalator Obstructers to the Right, The Atlantic Cities