Category: Subway

EHC Global Launches NT MotionRail™ Handrail Solutions to Public Transit Market

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chicago Transit Authority is First Public Transit System in North America to Implement NT MotionRail™

February 13, 2017 (Oshawa, Canada) ─ EHC Global (EHC), a leading manufacturer of escalator and elevator components, announced the global launch of NT MotionRail™ handrail solutions to the public transit market with Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) serving as EHC’s North American launch customer. Escalators at CTA’s North/Clybourn Station in Chicago have been retrofitted with EHC’s patented NT handrail and feature permanent and vandalism-resistant motion indicators that provide a visual indication of the speed and direction of travel, enabling riders to take a more natural step onto the escalator.

Established in 1947, CTA operates the second largest public transportation system in the United States, serving the City of Chicago and 35 surrounding suburbs. Approximately 1.64 million rides are taken on the CTA on an average weekday. Presently, CTA service is provided by two modes: bus and  rail rapid transit. The rail system, commonly referred to as the “L”, consists of eight rapid transit routes and 145 stations over more than 224 miles of track. Parts of the “L” run above ground, in subway tunnels, as well as at grade or in expressway medians. CTA joins London Underground and Dubai Metro as the latest major public transit system to implement NT MotionRail™.

“NT MotionRail™ has been engineered to maximize passenger safety, accessibility as well as traffic flow on escalators and moving walks in both indoor and outdoor applications,” said Jeno Eppel, President and Chief Executive Officer of EHC. “NT MotionRail™ expands EHC’s comprehensive suite of escalator safety and accessibility solutions, which include NT SafeRail™, NT AMRail™ antimicrobial handrail, NT ColourRail™ and D-Flector™ skirt brushes.”

With the addition of NT MotionRail™ to the NT platform, designers and operators now have the option to select a preconfigured motion indicator or design their own graphic to meet local code requirements, language and/or branding considerations. NT MotionRail™ is ideally suited for a wide range of applications including public transit systems, airports, shopping malls, department stores, convention centers and healthcare facilities.

Developed by EHC, the NT thermoplastic urethane (TPU) handrail platform was introduced in 1997 as an environmentally-friendly and technologically advanced alternative to conventional rubber-based products. Available in a wide range of sizes and colours, NT handrail is recyclable, easy-to-clean and requires minimal maintenance. NT handrail solutions can be found in most major public transit systems throughout North America and around the world.

 

About EHC Global Inc.

Established in 1977, EHC Global Inc. (EHC) is a leading manufacturer of handrails, rollers and lift components for escalators, elevators and moving walks. Each day, EHC helps millions of people all over the world move safely and comfortably in public transit systems, shopping centers, airports, office buildings, hospitals, condominiums and other metropolitan spaces. EHC is committed to developing sustainable solutions that optimize safety, enhance value and meet the challenging demands of OEMs, designers, building owners and facility managers. To accomplish this, EHC employs top material scientists and engineers and continues to invest in R&D, product development and next-generation polymer and composite extrusion technology. EHC has manufacturing and distribution facilities in Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Brazil and China and a global network of sales offices including Barbados, Mexico, Slovakia, United Kingdom and the USA as well as EHC partners in all major markets globally. For more information about EHC, visit www.ehc-global.com.

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Media Contact:

John M. Calderon

Director of Marketing

EHC Global

1287 Boundary Road, Oshawa, ON L1J 6Z7 (Canada)

O: 905-432-6600, Ext. 217

M: 647-456-7547

john.calderon@drakaehc.com

North/Clybourn Station (CTA)

ctastation-danielle-dai

Photo Credit:  Danielle Dai

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: SIGNAGE ON ESCALATOR & MOVING WALK HANDRAILS

October 15th, 2013

An open letter to all Authorities Having Jurisdiction, Maintenance Contractors, Consultants, and Equipment Owners in the United States and Canada:

The topic of signage on escalator & moving walk handrails has been one of considerable discussion over the past several years.

ASME A17.1-2010/CSA B.44-10, section 6.1.6.9.2, specifies that no “additional signage” shall be permitted within the “safety-zone” of the escalator.  Similar language can be found in 6.2.6.8.2 pertaining to moving walks.  The same paragraph goes on to define the Safety Zone as an area that extends 118” (3m) horizontally outward from the newel and cautions that additional signage should not impede traffic flow.  ASME A17.3 – 2011 only addresses mandatory Caution Signs and contains no language regarding Additional Signage.

Various interpretations of the “additional signage” wording have in the past lead to acceptance of handrail signage in some jurisdictions and refusal in others.

The purpose of this communication is to provide an update on code revisions, address perceived safety concerns, and open a channel for feedback and additional requests for information.

Late 2011; the A17 Escalator and Moving Walk Committee unanimously approved revisions to sections 6.1.6.9.2 and 6.2.6.8.2 and the creation of 6.1.6.9.3 and 6.2.6.8.3.   These changes specifically permit handrail signs or graphics on escalators and moving walks providing that they do not distract, impede passenger flow, or impair the operation of safety devices.  At their May 9 2012 meeting, the A17 Standards Committee approved these revisions for publication in A7.1 – 2013.

The benefits of simple motion indicators on handrails have been widely known for decades; they provide better visual cues of speed and direction of travel for escalator passengers, especially for children and the elderly.  With today’s evolved print technology it is now possible to provide handrail motion indicators in full-color and in high-resolution; resulting in opportunities to convey safety, directional, or other information to the riding public in a tactile and interactive way.

In a world where we are bombarded with distractions handrail signs and graphics direct passenger focus to the escalator; improving the frequency of handrail holding and of natural steps both on & off the escalator.

Pilot installations on four escalators in the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority demonstrated how handrail signage can be used to positively reinforce the mandatory Caution Signage required in 6.1.6.9.1/ 6.2.6.8.1. and to further mitigate accident risks.

There are presently two types of handrail signs and graphics; one designed to be changed regularly on-site, the other a permanent addition to the handrail.   Both have undergone rigorous testing in aggressive laboratory environments and with extensive world-wide field installations.

Temporary installations are accomplished with the addition of a durable composite thermoplastic film; engineered specifically for field-application to escalator and moving walk handrails.   Stringent procedures and quality guidelines ensure that handrails must pass inspection prior to application and daily unit start-up and shut-down procedures are supplemented with additional inspection requirements.

Further information is available to all upon request and feedback based on your experiences with handrail signs and graphics is most welcome.

The cooperation of all Authorities Having Jurisdiction in granting any required variances until such time as A17.1 -2013 has been adopted is a step forward in improving Passenger Safety on Escalator and Moving Walks and is sincerely appreciated.

EHC GLOBAL Handrail Signage

For further information; please contact:

Patrick R. Bothwell  |  Director of Sales  |  EHC GLOBAL
Telephone: 1-905-447-6709
E-mail:  patrick.bothwell@drakaehc.com

EHC Global Expands Service

Baesweiler, Germany – December 4th, 2012

As part of its expanding business plan, EHC Global is pleased to announce that Escalator Installation Services will be offered throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland.  Building on successful projects and experience in other parts of Europe, EHC Global is excited to be taking on a more substantial role in the industry and foresees great potential in the expansion of Escalator Installation Services to this market.

Award Winning Project – St. Petersburg Metro

EHC Global is pleased to congratulate Constructor Ltd for winning the Elevator World Project of the Year 2010 in the category of Escalators, New Construction.

The award winning project was carried out at the St. Petersburg Metro (State Unitary Enterprise) Spasskaya station. The project involved having the escalators’ sizes reduced without compromising the requirements of the Regulations for the Construction and Safe Use of Escalators. Constructor had the difficult task of fitting the 4 escalators into a tunnel space that would normally accommodate only 3 traditional escalators.

The escalator handrails for this project were manufactured by EHC.

Praising the project, Norman Rosnerksy, Managing Director of EHC’s EMEA operations said, “We are extremely happy to make a contribution to the project. EHC has been manufacturing escalator handrails since 1977, but only in the last few years have we supplied the Russian market. Constructor was one of our very first customers in Russia and we certainly expect to see them win more awards in the future as they are truly innovative in the services they offer.”