Traffic analysis of a three-dimensional elevator system

Abstract

This article presents an overview of the concept of a hypothetical three-dimensional elevator system in extra-large buildings. The term three dimensional is used in this context in order to contrast the system with current conventional one-dimensional elevator systems that move bi-directionally in a dedicated vertical shaft; or two-dimensional elevator system that moves in a plane (e.g. in x-horizontal direction and z-vertical direction). The hypothetical three-dimensional elevator system presented in this article assumes that the elevator car can travel in all three directions (but obviously not at the same time). The proposed system comprises a vertical main shaft that allows elevator cars to travel to the required floor, and then to travel in two dimensions in a horizontal plane at the level of the required floor along a network of horizontal shafts in both x- and y- directions. Each elevator car is dispatched to one floor only in each round trip. This is more efficient as it removes the need to visit more than one floor in each journey, but relies heavily on the use of destination group control systems (in order to allow the allocation of the passengers destined to the same floor to the same elevator car). The article presents the general overview of the suggested system using sketches and then derives equations for calculating the round trip time for the elevator car. The Monte Carlo Simulation method is then used to verify the correctness of the derived equations. Practical application: This manuscript provides a high level overview of the possible arrangement of a three-dimensional elevator traffic systems in a very large building. It can be used by architects to explore the possibility of employing a three-dimensional elevator system in a large building and checking its feasibility.