Guide dogs and escalators: a mismatch in urban design

Accidents involving guide dog users on escalators can result in serious injuries to the dogs themselves and severe distress to their owners. As escalators are becoming an increasingly common feature in our urban environment, an exploratory study of the problem was conducted focussing on the potential solution areas of guide dog training, protective equipment design and escalator design. Interviews were conducted with guide dog owners in the UK to more fully understand their experiences. Existing dog protection systems were also examined and anthropometric data collected on a sample of guide dogs. The aim of the research was to provide recommendations to facilitate a more inclusive design solution.