The global market for moving walkways—also known as travelators—is set to expand significantly through 2035, supported by rapid urbanisation, infrastructure modernisation, and demand for efficient people-mobility systems. According to Fact.MR’s latest study titled “Moving Walkways Market Size, Share & Forecast Outlook 2025–2035”, the market is projected to grow from approximately USD 4.5 billion in 2025 to around USD 7.4 billion by 2035, achieving a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 5.1% over the forecast period.
Mobility Demands Fuel Market Momentum
Moving walkways—horizontal or inclined conveyor systems designed for pedestrian transport in high-traffic venues—are increasingly seen in airports, metro stations, commercial complexes, and transit hubs. As cities grow and infrastructure becomes more complex, the need for seamless pedestrian movement is rising. The report highlights that growth will be driven by:
- expanding airport terminals and transportation hubs,
- rising accessibility standards for the elderly and mobility-impaired, and
- smart-mobility integrations such as IoT-enabled sensors, energy-efficient drives and predictive maintenance systems.
Airport expansions and large transit hubs constitute a key application segment, particularly in Asia-Pacific where greenfield airports and mega-city developments are underway. In commercial and retail applications, moving walkways help optimise pedestrian flow, enhance user experience and manage heavy foot-traffic in malls and convention centres.
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Key Market Metrics at a Glance
| Metric | Estimate |
| Estimated Market Value (2025) | USD 4.5 billion |
| Forecast Market Value (2035) | USD 7.4 billion |
| Forecast CAGR (2025-2035) | ~5.1% |
Segmental Insight & Application Highlights
By Type: The market classifies systems into belt-type and pallet-type. Belt type systems are gaining traction due to smooth surfaces, lower maintenance and suitability for high-traffic environments. Pallet-type systems remain popular in heavy-duty settings such as airport luggage corridors.
By Installation/Inclination: Horizontal walkways dominate applications in flat layouts such as airports and malls, while inclined walkways are increasingly adopted in multi-level transit hubs and underground stations.
By Application: Major usage segments include airports, public transit (metro and railway stations), retail & commercial complexes, and institutional buildings. Among these, airports are forecasted to hold a leading share due to the large distances travellers must traverse and the need to manage passenger flow efficiently.
By Region: Asia-Pacific emerges as the fastest growing region, driven by substantial infrastructure investments in China, India and Southeast Asia. North America and Europe remain mature markets with steady growth, primarily via modernization of existing transport and retail infrastructure.
Regional Trends & Growth Drivers
- Asia-Pacific: Rapid urbanisation, new airport construction, metro expansions and commercial real-estate developments are major catalysts. For example, multi-terminal airport projects and transit-oriented developments incorporate moving walkways to enhance circulation.
- North America: The region continues to invest in airport renovations, smart terminal upgrades and transit-hub expansions. Accessibility regulations and retail-driven developments in large commercial centres also stimulate demand.
- Europe: Emphasis on sustainable infrastructure, accessibility for ageing populations and refurbishment of older transit systems drives incremental growth.
- Middle East & Africa / Latin America: Mega-event-driven infrastructure (e.g., airports, convention centres) and emerging urban mobility schemes are opening up opportunities, albeit from a smaller base.
Five Key Growth Drivers
- Urbanisation & Infrastructure Expansion: As more cities expand and populations concentrate in urban centres, pedestrian transport systems become necessary for efficient movement in dense environments.
- Airport & Transit Hub Expansion: Growing air travel volumes and larger terminals increase demand for moving walkways to minimise passenger walking distances and improve accessibility.
- Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Regulations and social initiatives for the elderly, disabled and luggage-bearing travellers raise demand for travelators in public spaces.
- Technology & Sustainability: Integration of IoT sensors, energy-efficient motors, regenerative drives and predictive maintenance enhances system appeal and lifecycle economics.
- Commercial & Retail Space Complexity: Large shopping malls, multi-level commercial complexes and mixed-use developments require horizontal moving systems to keep foot-traffic flow efficient and user experience positive.
Challenges & Market Restraints
Despite robust growth, the market faces certain restraints:
- High Installation & Maintenance Costs: Initial investment and ongoing servicing can be significant, which may slow adoption in cost-sensitive or retro-fit projects.
- Space Constraints & Retro-fit Complexity: In older buildings or compact sites, integrating moving walkways may require structural changes, limiting feasibility.
- Competition from Alternatives: Elevators, escalators, moving belts and autonomous shuttles remain alternatives; project-design choices may favour these depending on layout or cost.
- Safety & Compliance Requirements: Ensuring reliability, safety (trip hazards, emergency stops) and regulatory compliance adds to supplier and operator costs.
Competitive Landscape
Leading global players in the moving walkways market include:
- Otis Elevator Company
- KONE Corporation
- Schindler Group
- Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
- Hitachi, Ltd.
- TK Elevator
These companies are enhancing their portfolios via energy-efficient technologies, IoT analytics for predictive maintenance, modular design systems for easier installation and global expansion into emerging regions. Strategic partnerships and local manufacturing are also shaping competitive positions, especially in growth markets.
Future Outlook: Towards Smart Mobility Ecosystems
Over the next decade, moving walkways will increasingly form part of integrated smart-mobility ecosystems—connected via building management systems, transit passenger flow analytics, and user-experience platforms. Expect to see:
- IoT-enabled walkways with real-time diagnostics and maintenance alerts,
- Sustainable design features (regenerative drives, LED lighting, modular construction),
- Retrofitting of existing transit hubs and commercial centres with inclined walkways to navigate multi-floor layouts,
- Growing adoption in non-traditional environments such as hospitals, convention centres and mixed-use developments.
For players in manufacturing, infrastructure development, and mobility design, the opportunity lies in combining core hardware with digital services, lifecycle solutions and regional adaptation strategies.
Why This Report Matters
Fact.MR’s report delivers a comprehensive roadmap for stakeholders in infrastructure, transit systems, building design, commercial real estate, and elevator/escalator manufacturers. It provides:
- Detailed forecasts across type, installation, application, and region,
- Insights into growth drivers, restraints and emerging trends,
- Competitive landscape and strategic imperatives, enabling businesses to navigate market-entry or expansion plans effectively.
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About Fact.MR
Fact.MR is a leading market research and advisory firm that delivers data-driven intelligence across thousands of industry segments. Leveraging proprietary databases and expert analysis, Fact.MR equips businesses with actionable insights to identify opportunities, shape strategies and stay ahead of market dynamics.
