| Most people with multilevel homes rely exclusively | | | | horizontal space to keep the incline manageable. A |
| on stairs for their ascension needs. Several | | | | steep ramp can be very dangerous to people in |
| buildings use stairs as well. While stairs are usually | | | | wheelchairs. Ramps are extremely safe and |
| the cheapest and easiest solution, there are other | | | | inexpensive, but too many ramps can get tiring. |
| methods of transporting people from one story | | | | Elevators are the most complete solution, but also |
| to the next. | | | | the most expensive. Elevators require a vertical |
| Escalators are a lot like stairs, but require less | | | | shaft throughout the entire building. They are |
| effort. Essentially, escalators are moving stairs. | | | | wheelchair accessible and require no effort from |
| When riding an escalator, you can either stand still | | | | passengers. Many large buildings are required to |
| and be carried to the top, or continue marching | | | | have an elevator to be handicap accessible. While |
| up the stairs to increase speed. Escalators are | | | | an elevator may seem dangerous, it has the |
| convenient for riders, and require the same space | | | | greatest safety record of any vehicle. Elevators |
| that stairs would. With a little caution, they are no | | | | can span hundreds of floors in a matter of |
| more or less dangerous than stairs. However, | | | | seconds. |
| escalators only travel in one direction, which | | | | All options considered, most people still choose |
| requires two escalators per floor. | | | | stairs, and maybe that's for the best. Stairs offer |
| Stairs are not very manageable for persons in | | | | a level of exercise unparallelled by escalators, |
| wheelchairs, so ramps are often used and even | | | | ramps, or elevators. |
| required in public buildings. Ramps require a lot of | | | | |