Why do many buildings have both elevators and escalators? Certainly if you have escalators you may also need elevators for people unable to use an escalator such as those in wheelchairs or with prams or similar and lifts are useful for moving goods and equipment as well. So why not just have lifts as anyone who can use an escalator can also use a lift. Many buildings don’t need an escalator but with those that have a lot of people coming in and out on a constant basis an escalator might be useful. If people are in a hurry it might take them a long time to wait for a lift and they may only be going a few floors, an escalator may be much quicker. In shopping malls and inside departments stores especially people going by escalator has the advantage that they pass by different shops or different products on the way to their floor and spot things that might interest them. In buildings with shops, offices and areas such as atriums in the bottom few floors and then other less frequented offices above escalators may be ideal for the bottom few floors while an elevator takes people up to other floors.
