How to Engineer Elevators for Peak Traffic Times

Do you own a commercial building that has a lot of foot traffic? Or are there certain times of the day when you notice more people coming and going? While elevators are installed to help move people from floor to floor, it’s also important for these systems to be efficient and prevent any downtime. There are many ways to integrate systems that help prevent waiting time for riders.

What is the Impact of Elevator Waiting Times?

You might have had the thought, “Does waiting for an elevator impact a customer or rider’s experience?” In reality, long elevator waiting times can increase anxiety, reduce productivity for staff, and create negative perceptions toward a building or company. In buildings where time is of the essence, like hospitals, any kind of downtime can be detrimental in the case of a medical emergency. That’s why it’s important that even during peak traffic times, elevators are serving all riders in the most efficient way possible. 

Understand Building’s Common Traffic Patterns

Before you can engineer your building’s elevator to fit peak traffic, you must first understand your commercial building’s traffic patterns. Analyze the number of occupants per floor, floor usage types, arrival/departure schedules, and passenger flow rates. Common traffic patterns include the following:

• Up peak (morning rush)
• Down peak (evening exit)
• Interfloor/two-way traffic (midday movement between floors)

Implement Peak Time Operations

If you operate a building with busy environments and a lot of foot traffic during certain moments of the day, you can schedule specific elevator operations. For example, hospitals, office towers, or hotels can group certain elevators, keeping them on higher floors during specific periods. 

Zoning Elevators

In this method, you can assign elevators to particular groups or floors, which will reduce the number of stops each elevator makes. Have a group of elevators only go to higher floors, while the remaining elevators can stay around lower floors.

Use AI-Integrated Control Systems

Control systems monitor the real-time demand throughout the building and allocate elevators to different floors. Elevators might be grouped and assigned to specific floors, or an elevator system will deploy the closest elevator to the floor that needs it. With the integration of AI systems, technology can significantly reduce wait times.

Add Destination Dispatch Technology

In this system, passengers can select their destination floor even before boarding the elevator. Passengers will click the elevator button plus their floor outside the elevator. Then, the elevator will group passengers who are going to the same destination to reduce the number of stops. 

To ensure that your traffic systems are working properly, it’s essential to test them afterwards.

Engineering new systems to combat peak elevator times can increase efficiency, keep all riders happy, and keep your building running smoothly. To learn more about how our technicians at Buckley Elevator can maintain and modernize your commercial elevators, schedule a consultation.