Increasing stair usage in a professional workplace: a test of the efficacy of positive and negative message prompts to change pedestrian choices

Issue addressed: This study investigated the effectiveness of positive and negative-themed message prompts encouraging stair use at the point of choice between an elevator and stairwell in a professional workplace. Methods: Asimple time series design using two control periods assessed the efficacy of positive and negative messages on the pedestrian choice between stairs and an elevator in a restricted-entry, four-story building. Traffic volume was restricted to employees. Their movements were measured at two sites within the building - ground floor access doors and stairwell entry - by small infrared motion-sensing devices (MSD) linked to incremental LCD counters. Results: A positive or negative poster prompt did not significantly modify employees' stair usage when compared with baseline levels. Odds ratios (OR) for stair usage in the workplace were OR=0.6, 95% C/ =0.31.1 for the positive and OR=1.0 (95% C/=0.5-1.9) for the negative poster prompts.