Innovations in Elevator Technology

When people think about transportation infrastructure, they tend to think of roads, bridges, and railways. However, vertical transportation is becoming increasingly important as cities expand as there have been several technological innovations in recent years.

Technology and the Elevator Button

New technology and advancement in particular that is changing the elevator industry in buildings is Destination Dispatch Technology. This is being used in office buildings in larger cities such as New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. This type of technology eradicates the typical individual floor button system and replaces it with a touch-screen panel. With this technology, passengers enter their destination floor and are assigned a lettered elevator with other people who are going to the same floor. People who want to go to other floors are sent to a different elevator. This dramatically reduces the travel time to that floor and eliminates unnecessary stops to other floors.

Elevators Go “Green”

Another innovation is the “going green” initiative that many companies have adopted. Many buildings are considering the “green” agenda focusing on reducing energy consumption in elevators as well. Buildings consume about 40% of the world’s energy, and elevators account for 2%-10% of a building’s energy consumption. During peak hours, elevators may utilize up to 40% of the building’s energy.  As with any modernization project, and the many benefits upon implementing it, it is an option to be seriously considered.

No one wants to wait for an elevator and then make five stops on the way to your destination. Buildings want to lower their energy costs to increase profits and installing an energy efficient elevator can solve both of these problems. In a world going green, energy-efficient elevators will soon be in high demand and many elevator companies are doing whatever they can to join in the action.

Submitted by Kencor Elevator Systems.