Save Some Electricity!! Using M2M

What is the M2M Problem of the day?
As a environment conscious citizen of the earth I take public transit to work to do my part to take one car of the road. The station I board the train from has an escalator that is always on. The station also has an elevator in case passengers don’t want to use the escalators. Trains arrive at my station every 15 minutes. During the 15 minute interval there are hardly any people on the station. And all the while we have this escalator running. The thing that bothers me is why have these escalators running when there are no trains arriving / departing.

What is the Solution?
About 10 feet away from the platform is a train signaling pole â€" with red and Green lights. The light turns green approximately 2-3 minutes before the train arrives. This can be used as a mechanism to trigger when the passengers are going to arrive on the platform. Use this indicator to start the escalators â€" for the passengers to use. When the train departs the signal becomes red â€" Use this to stop / slow down the escalator. The technology to implement is available using of the shelf components â€" A switch that is triggered by the Train Signaling system, 100 feet of wiring, Escalator Slow Down ( A way to slow down and stop the escalator â€" this should be available or built into current escalators â€" needs some research)

Saving?
So now instead of having the escalator run continuously for 15 minutes it will be operational for 7 minutes. Simple math tells us that this is resulting in 50% energy saving. On top of that you have managed to extend the life of the escalator by ~ 100% as you are now operating it only when needed

Greenhouse emissions reduced = 50%

A simpler low tech solution would be to install a motion detector at the entrance of the escalator to start it. Similar to that installed on doors at Mall Entrances that automatically opens the door when you walk towards it.
http://m2m-world.blogspot.com