New pedestrian walkway technology being developed in Hebron

Two brothers from Turkey are attempting to revolutionize pedestrian travel with their new accelerating walkway: a flat conveyor belt meant to transport passengers quickly and efficiently. They’re currently in the process of getting the walkways installed in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.  

John and Matine Yuksel founded Beltways in 2020, which is developing the “smartest, safest and fastest walkways in the world,” according to the company’s website. They’ve won multiple startup competitions and have millions of views on social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube.  

“We believe an efficient public transportation system is the solution to many existential problems facing humanity, including hyperurbanization, road deaths, traffic congestion and climate change,” the Beltways website reads. 

Flat walkways exist in many airports across the country, although they are often slow, and passengers often use them to avoid walking rather than to get to a destination more quickly. Beltways’ conveyor belt accelerates the pedestrian up to 10 mph, speeding up and slowing down to allow safe entrance and departure. That speed is 10 times faster than conventional airport walkways. The technology is built with interchangeable modules that form the accelerating walkway system. That means it’s easy to deploy anywhere since it requires minimal construction. 

The idea originally belonged to their father, Edip Yuksel. During COVID-19, the family transitioned from careers in Silicon Valley to launch the startup. They moved out of San Francisco to be closer to parts suppliers and landed in Northern Kentucky when they received notice that CVG might be interested in installing the walkways. Main Street Ventures provided Beltways with a $26,130 Leap Grant in 2023, which is designed to scale revenue-generating businesses and increase their sustainability.