A pitless and modular belt-type accelerating moving walkway transit system including at least three substantially identical walkway modules that are leveled and positioned atop a surface such as the ground, floor, road or deck. Each module has an endless belt moving at a different or the same speed wherein the at least three walkway modules are positioned linearly adjacent. Each module having one or more electric motors operably connected to an electrical source and handrails on opposing sides that move in synchrony with the endless belt of the same module.

A moving walkway transit system having a moving walkway and a beltway control system for monitoring and controlling various operational aspects of the moving walkway. A method of using the beltway control system to operate and monitor the moving walkway.

A method for setting the state of a scenario detection module of an escalator includes: acquiring running direction information of an escalator; and according to at least the running direction information, setting the states of the scenario detection modules U.sub.1, U.sub.2, . . . , U.sub.N in a scenario detection module set U for the escalator to be activated or disabled. The computing capability required for scenario detection of the escalator can be lowered.

A belt safety device (2) for monitoring a drive belt (15), in particular a drive belt (15) of a people conveyor (1), comprises a sensor wheel (34) configured to be driven by the monitored drive belt (15); a sensor surface (42); an indicator element (40) extending eccentrically from the sensor wheel (34) and moving along the sensor surface (42) when the sensor wheel (34) rotates; and an evaluation unit (44), which is configured for determining the path (P) of the indicator element (40) moving along the sensor surface (42).

A belt safety device (2) for monitoring a drive belt (15), in particular a drive belt (15) of a people conveyor (1), comprises a sensor wheel (34) configured to be driven by the monitored drive belt (15); a sensor surface (42); an indicator element (40) extending eccentrically from the sensor wheel (34) and moving along the sensor surface (42) when the sensor wheel (34) rotates; and an evaluation unit (44), which is configured for determining the path (P) of the indicator element (40) moving along the sensor surface (42).

A people conveyor (10) comprises a conveying band (12) including a plurality of conveying elements (13); a truss (8) supporting the conveying band (12); a motor (24), which is mounted to the truss (8) and which is configured for driving the conveying band (12); and a force sensor (26). The force sensor (26) is arranged between the motor (24) and the truss (8) and is configured for measuring a force which is exerted by the motor (24) on the truss (8).

A people conveyor (10) comprises a conveying band (12) including a plurality of conveying elements (13); a truss (8) supporting the conveying band (12); a motor (24), which is mounted to the truss (8) and which is configured for driving the conveying band (12); and a force sensor (26). The force sensor (26) is arranged between the motor (24) and the truss (8) and is configured for measuring a force which is exerted by the motor (24) on the truss (8).

A method to control a transport device like a moving walkway or escalator with a control unit includes, generating visual images of a person traveling on the transport device, analyzing movement of the person based on the visual images, and transferring the control unit into a safety modus based on the analysis. The transport device includes a transport area for accommodating a person to be transported, a plurality of transport elements such as movable pallets or movable steps configured to convey the person located in the transport area in a standing manner, a drive adapted for driving the transport elements, and an image recording device for creating visual images of a sector of the transport area. Based on the recorded images a movement of the person within the transport area is analyzed. Based upon a result of the analysis the control unit is transferred into a safety modus.

A method to control a transport device like a moving walkway or escalator with a control unit includes, generating visual images of a person traveling on the transport device, analyzing movement of the person based on the visual images, and transferring the control unit into a safety modus based on the analysis. The transport device includes a transport area for accommodating a person to be transported, a plurality of transport elements such as movable pallets or movable steps configured to convey the person located in the transport area in a standing manner, a drive adapted for driving the transport elements, and an image recording device for creating visual images of a sector of the transport area. Based on the recorded images a movement of the person within the transport area is analyzed. Based upon a result of the analysis the control unit is transferred into a safety modus.

A passenger conveyor has a guardrail belt configured to run on a pair of right and left handrails in synchronization with footsteps; a camera provided at a platform of the handrail; and a control device configured to analyze an image obtained by photographing the platform with the camera, detect a passenger getting in from the platform, stop the footsteps or lower a running speed than a normal speed when detecting no passenger for a predetermined time, and move the running speed of the footsteps at the normal speed when detecting the passenger.