What safety feature is found in escalators but not commonly in elevators?

Handrails are a distinctive feature of escalators that serve both functional and safety purposes. They provide users with support while ascending or descending, which helps to maintain balance and prevent falls. The continuous movement of the escalator can create a challenge, and having a handrail enhances the user experience by making it safer.

In contrast, elevators primarily rely on enclosed spaces and the ability for users to stand still during transit, thus eliminating the need for a handrail. The design and operation of elevators focus on vertical transport rather than continuous movement in the horizontal plane like escalators. While features like emergency stop buttons, weight sensors, and alarm systems are also important for both escalators and elevators, handrails are specifically designed to aid users on escalators, making them less relevant in elevator systems.