A method to control a transport device like a moving walkway or escalator with a control unit includes, generating visual images of a person traveling on the transport device, analyzing movement of the person based on the visual images, and transferring the control unit into a safety modus based on the analysis. The transport device includes a transport area for accommodating a person to be transported, a plurality of transport elements such as movable pallets or movable steps configured to convey the person located in the transport area in a standing manner, a drive adapted for driving the transport elements, and an image recording device for creating visual images of a sector of the transport area. Based on the recorded images a movement of the person within the transport area is analyzed. Based upon a result of the analysis the control unit is transferred into a safety modus.