An interesting project summary on a stairs intervention project in the University Leeds using a variety of 'nudges' to change behaviours around using lifts and using the stairs instead - **CREDITS** Joe Llewellyn - and thanks to Joe for sharing with me.

1. The project successfully attempted
to increase stair-use within a library
at the University of Leeds. It used
‘nudges’ - making contextual changes
within the environment, in an
attempt to influence stair-use.
This benefits:
the individual — increased
physical-health
the organization — decreased
elevator-use reduces energy
costs
wider society — pro-
environmental behaviours help
sustainable practices for the
planet
While awareness of environmental
issues may be high, there still
exists a value-action gap, whereby
intentions and beliefs do not always
translate into behaviours. Therefore a
behavioural approach that provides
an environment that people can
make free and informed decisions
may prove most effective.
Within daily life we are faced with
vast amounts of information. Our
brains must adapt, making quick
decisions that are influenced by the
design of the environment. Using
nudges to divert attention, while
influencing choices and behaviours
towards more positive outcomes like
stair-use should prove ideal.
I n t ro d u c t i o n C h a l l e n g e U s i n g N u d g e s
I n c r e a s i n g F o o t s t e p s ,
D e c r e a s i n g F o o t p r i n t s
The effects of using nudge interventions to promote stair use in a university library
1

2. 10,460 observations were made over
88 hours across 15 separate days in
July 2019.
Nudge theory was used to evaluate
the influence of existing default-
options with regards to stair-use within
two different libraries, where options
that are presented as the default-
choice are more likely chosen.
Laidlaw
Library
Stairs presented
as default
Edward
Boyle Library
Elevators
presented as
default
E x p e r i m e n ta l
O b s e rvat i o n s &
Data C o l l e c t i o n
2

3. 3
Further principles of nudge were
then used at Edward Boyle library
to target factors known to influence
stair-use. These include:
directing foot-traffic and
increasing the visibility of the
stairs (using footprints)
framing the benefits of stair-
use through pro-environmental
behaviours (using point-of-
choice prompts)
improving the aesthetics of the
stairs (using an interactive map of
the world giving feedback).

4. 4
The proportion of stair-users at
Laidlaw was much greater than
at Edward Boyle (65.27% versus
18.23%). Suggesting that the
default-options are key for stair-
use.
Yet, where nudges were used,
the rate of stair-users more than
doubled.
The number of elevators during
this period decreased from an
average of 45.81 to 32.05 per
hour.
K e y f i n d i n g s

5. Using existing structures such as
stairs to achieve physical-exercise is
easy to implement within a person’s
daily-routine. It is sustainable and
comes at no extra cost to the
individual or the organization.
What are the physical health
benefits from increased stair-use?
decreased risk of heart disease
and stroke
reduced blood pressure
improved cardio-fitness
weight-loss
increased mental well-being
What are are the organizational
benefits?
reduced elevator-use meaning
reduced energy consumption
increased financial savings and
compliance with corporate social
responsibility standards
greater productivity
reduced absenteeism
Where can Nudges take place?
Nudges may be utilised within a
wider-range of locations including
public-access settings, worksites
and residential buildings or even
extended to other health-related
behaviour-change initiatives beyond
the goals of stair-use.
We do not need to drastically alter
existing structures, restrict choices
or freedoms to get people to behave
in healthier ways for themselves and
the environment.
What Nudges work?
Footprints are used to direct
people towards the stairs
posters to inform and motivate
on physical-health and
environmental benefits
an interactive map of the world
makes the stairs more attractive,
promotes ownership and
encourages continued use
By designing how our current
systems and structures present
information and choices, we can
encourage positive behaviors that
have practical value and wide-
ranging, long-term and sustainable
benefits for people, organizations
and the wider environment.
D i s c u s s i o n & C o n c lu s i o n
For further information and details of this
report please feel free to contact:
Joe Llewellyn
joe.llewellyn91@gmail.com
+44 7547 956568