It feels as if the whole world is suddenly enthralled with the potential of nudge-y incentives: using “choice architecture,” as the nudge-masters Thaler and Sunstein put it, to encourage behavior that is good for both individuals and societies. A great many of these initiatives will fail, for behavior is harder to change than most smart people assume. But there already have been, and will continue to be, successes as well.
Here’s the latest example: in Stockholm’s Odenplan subway station, the staircase has been retrofitted to resemble giant piano keys, which produce real sound, to encourage commuters to climb the stairs rather than ride the escalator. According to this video — which seems to be part of a Volkswagen marketing initiative, though it’s unclear — it’s been a raging success.
Stockholm has seen rising obesity rates, especially among young girls, and has tried some other anti-obesity nudges as well. How will the musical stairs perform?
It’s a clever idea, to be sure, but the skeptic in me wonders:
- Once the cameras have gone away and the novelty wears off, will people still climb the stairs — especially since it’s probably more musically fun (and a lot easier) to descend than to ascend?
- Just as people who already count calories may be the only people who pay attention to calorie counts, will only fit people take the piano stairs?
- What happens after the first lawsuit, when some commuter takes a nasty tumble while playing “Chopsticks” or trying to land a resounding fifth?
(Hat tip: Gabe Audick)
and 
. You can also watch it on 
I don’t know how much it’ll do for obesity but smiles are good for your health too. Me, I’d probably hurt myself trying to leap an arpeggio.
A quick note about the third skeptic-point: remember that these stairs are in Sweden, not in the U.S. Most other countries (Sweden certainly included) are nowhere near as litigious as the U.S. is and people generally don’t sue for falling down stairs.
Would adding light-up Billy Jean tiles on the sidewalk get more people to walk than drive?
Not this SOUNDS like a great idea. And I agree that a song is in order. as one goes up- otherwise- would be unpleasant. to hold accountable to notes. perhaps- as one passes the proper note of the song of the day- the key sounds. Otherwise it doesn’t. Just think of how many people will automatically learn how to play the piano. As a piano player myself- I think that it would work. Am curious though about the sounds now- it just goes up or down the scale beginning with C or an octave.
Kind of ironic coming from a car company, I’d say.
Turning off the escalator would be rather cruel to pregnant women, parents with small children (especially in strollers) and other folks whose mobility is enough to make public transport possible but stairs difficult.
Consider how painful this set of stairs will be for people who are sensitive to pitch or who have perfect pitch and people who don’t like phrases of music cut off in mid-phrase. I can see people needing earplugs in this station or going out of their way to avoid it.
The idea is nice if a few people with musical training are going through the station. I think it would be cacophonous during rush hour, and who needs more tension from unpleasant noise during a stressful commute?
Will someone be keeping this stairway in tune whenever it gets out-of-tune?
Cute idea, but the stairway should not have been built in a busy mass transit location.
The new airport in indianapolis has an over head walkway to the garage. There are moving sidewalks along the edges. The middle is just your usual wide walkway. But on the ceiling are lights that turn color over where you are as your walk. They “follow you”. Also, the walking areas make a laser type noise in the direction you are going.
I never use the moving sidewalk anymore. As a matter of fact, I walk side to side (a longer distance of walking) just to watch the lights and lasers.
This type of thing works. I know it.