So I'm not a Doctor Who fan at all, but lately have become intrigued (I know a couple fanatics and it feels like it's about time to see what that's all about). I recently learned about the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space), Doctor Who's spacecraft/time machine thing.
It's perhaps a stretch to consider the TARDIS a mode of travel, but, hey, I've seen mobility folks talk about traveling via the mind and imagination as if that doesn't involve some suspension of disbelief and a sprinkling of magic. I'd actually consider the TARDIS more legit than that even, as it is getting Doctor Who from point A to point B. It's really just one small step below mobility topics like canoeing ethnographies, the movement of SARS germs, or the locomotive as a phallic representation. (Mobilities is a broad, broad concept if that isn't apparent.) In any case, I became much more interested in the world of Doctor Who after watching this great video by a German woman who built a TARDIS from scratch.
This really has nothing to do with travel, transportation, or mobility, but it was such a delight to watch. (Her videos on teaching are also wonderful.)
There is a system of courtesy with Japanese escalators, especially in Tokyo and Osaka, that you leave one side clear for walking. However, with the recently increase in escalator accidents among the elderly, the Japan Elevator Association has in principle prohibited walking on escalators. On the other hand, in subway stations in London, China and so on there are posters advising people to leave one side of the escalator clear for people who are in a hurry.
She's also apparently fond of bridge supports for elevated highways and is part of a fan club that has some great photos. (via kottke.org)
