Destination dispatch is an optimization technique used for multi-elevator installations, which groups passengers for the same destinations into the same elevators, thereby reducing waiting and travel times when compared to a traditional system where all passenger wishing to ascend or descend enter the same elevator and then request their destination.
Background
In modern cities where high-rise buildings are dominant, elevators have become an indispensable means of vertical transportation within buildings. With an increasing number of floors as well as corresponding floor traffic, traditional elevator systems are facing more difficulty in handling this increased floor traffic effectively and efficiently, leading to issues such as long waiting times, increased elevator travel time; among others.
Owing to this growing challenge; methods have been implemented in many high-rise buildings to increase the efficiency in handling floor traffic, such as implementing zoned elevator systems as well as the use of double-deck elevators. With the advances in technology, it has led to the creation of a more intelligent elevator group control system known as "destination dispatch", which has become more attractive in recent years over the traditional elevator group control system in dealing with high amounts of building floor traffic.
History
In 1961, Leo Port from Sydney, Australia conceived an idea of a destination dispatch system but it was never materialized due to the implementation of mechanical relays in elevator controls which were unable to optimize the performance of destination control allocations.
Twenty nine years later, Schindler Group pioneered the world's first practical destination dispatch system as the Miconic 10. The first building to install this system was the Hamburg Electric Company in Germany.
Since the launching of Schindler's Miconic 10 system in 1996, other elevator manufacturers began producing their own version of destination dispatch system. In 2002, Mitsubishi Electric launched its own system called Destination Oriented Allocation System (DOAS-S), followed by Otis and Kone in 2005 with their Compass and Polaris system respectively.
Overview of the destination dispatch system
Traditional/conventional elevator systems have landing call buttons (hall call stations) outside the elevators for calling the elevator. After the passenger enters the elevator, he or she will press the button for the desired floor. Since the system cannot predict the floors that all passengers need to go to, there will be passengers going to different floors, regardless of numbers of stops. Therefore, it increases the elevator travel time, and even causes all the elevators to go up and return to the main floor at the same time, directly affecting the waiting time and efficiency of the elevator.
With destination dispatch system, instead of a traditional hall call station, there exists an input device at the elevator landing, such as a decimal keypad or touchscreen; where the passengers input their desired destination.
Destination dispatch system works by grouping passengers together by the same destination as soon as they enters their destination and assigns them into the same elevator cars. It routes the individual elevator cars in the group so that they serve only certain floors. Therefore, the number of stops are reduced, and because there are few stops made by the elevator, it makes travel time faster than a conventional elevator system as travel time is reduced. The principle of this system is to bring passengers to their destination in the shortest possible time with less crowding and comfort.
Elevators equipped with destination dispatch system have at least two numerical keypads or touch screens in each lobby that replaces traditional landing buttons. The keypads have 9-grid numerical buttons which are used to enter the desired destination. If the elevators have touch screens, they usually contains a list of available floors that are served by the elevators. There are also elevator identification plates containing letter for identifying the elevators (e.g. A, B, C, and so on).
Since passengers have already entered their destination outside the elevators, there are no floor buttons inside the elevator cars, leaving only door open, door close and alarm buttons. The floor buttons are hidden behind a locked cabinet and are usually not used in normal conditions. Some elevators may still have floor buttons inside, but they cannot be pressed; they only indicate the stopping floors. However, the buttons can be pushed if the destination dispatch control panel is only installed on specific floors instead of all floors, like in a hybrid destination dispatch configuration.
The allocation method can be changed according to the situation. For example, going to the upper, lower or adjacent floors will be assigned to the same elevator to avoid inefficiencies such as "stopping at the floor" or "smoothing up". Double-deck elevator systems, when combined with this system, can make elevator stops more flexible.
System configurations
Destination dispatch can be configured in two ways, which are:
Hybrid configuration
In hybrid configuration, destination hall panels are installed only on the busiest floors (mainly the ground or lobby floor) or certain floors where traffic is heavy, while the other floors have conventional up and down call buttons. Floor buttons exist and are operational inside the car. It is generally useful for improving traffic leaving from the busiest floor or heavy up peak traffic. Handicap mode is usually not supported in this configuration (except on the main floor when using the keypad).
Systems that use this configuration are Mitsubishi's DOAS (Destination Oriented Allocation System), Otis' Compass, Kone's Destination (formerly Polaris) and Hitachi's DFRS/FIBEE systems. One example of this system is in the Price Waterhouse Cooper Place, in Vancouver B.C., Canada, in which a ThyssenKrupp Destination Dispatch System is only installed on the Lobby floor, and all the intermediate floors have up/down call stations and conventional COP inside the elevator.
Full configuration
In full configuration, destination hall panels are installed on all floors. This is particularly useful to improve more complex traffic patterns that emerge throughout the day. Floor buttons are not visible inside the car. Handicap mode is fully supported in this configuration to offer an elevator which have floor announcement and extend the door opening time. Most destination dispatch systems feature this type of configuration. Schindler's Miconic 10 and PORT systems exclusively come in a full configuration with no option for hybrid configurations.
Destination dispatch operation
In general, the operation of destination dispatch system by different elevator manufacturers is similar. The operation goes like this:
- Enter the desired destination floor using the keypad or touchscreen located in the elevator lobby.
- Once the destination floor has been registered, the keypad or touchscreen display will show the elevator assigned by the group control system.
- Passengers can then proceed directly to their assigned elevator and wait until it arrives.
- Upon entering the elevator, passengers can verify their registered destination either through the destination indicators, located on the car door jamb or on the car station; or through the floor buttons inside (if present; generally on "hybrid" destination dispatch systems).
- The doors close and the elevator will go straight to the destination floor(s) automatically. Users need not to Without requiring to press a floor button,
- When the elevator arrives and the doors open, the destination floor shown on the indicator(s) will disappear; or the corresponding floor button will become unlit.
- To go to the main or ground floor, press "0" (if the main floor is marked as "0" or "G") or the asterisk (*) button on the keypad.
- To go to an underground floor, press the minus/negative button (-) followed by the floor number (e.g. Basement Two, press "-" and then "2").
- To go to any other special floor, such as Mezzanine (M), Parking (P), Roof (R), Service (S), or the like, press the corresponding letter (and number, if applicable)
Other/special functions
Special functions for people with disabilities
Most destination dispatch systems can be equipped with a special function for disabled passengers (commonly known as "handicap mode"), which if activated, the group control system will try to send a particular elevator to serve them. A button, generally located at the bottom of the keypad with a wheelchair symbol is used to activate this function. The user first presses this button before entering the destination number. Automated voice guidance as well as aural chimes helps the use in guiding them to the elevator. When "handicap mode" is activated, the door open time is extended and door close button is temporarily disabled to facilitate them. Once the elevator stops at the destination floor, the function will automatically turns off and the elevator will return to normal mode.
Handicap mode is not always a standard feature in destination dispatch systems in most cases. Even if the mode is not implemented in the system, one can still see the handicap mode button on keypads, and if one press it, the system will allocate cars as usual but without voice guidance played and extended door open time (door close button will work if one press it).
KONE Destination KSP 888
Fujitec Destination Reservation Guidance System is the only system that does not provide "handicap mode" outside the United States. Instead, it provides the conventional elevator dispatching system by providing conventional call buttons and floor buttons for the specific accessible elevators.
Another example is the KONE Destination KSP 888 Landing Operation Panel which does not comply with EN81-70 due to it's lack of accessibility features.
Functions for emergency or other purposes
Although destination dispatch system is designed to allocate elevators, designated personnels such as security guards, cleaners, elevator technicians, etc. can set the elevator into various special modes like inspection mode, attendant service, etc. for certain conditions, like in a conventional elevator system. When in these alternate operation modes, the floor buttons, which are generally hidden behind a locked cabinet which must be unlocked in order to operate the elevator. For instance, when the elevator is in fire service mode, firefighters can operate the elevator using those hidden floor buttons.
Integration with building security systems
Destination dispatch system can also be integrated with the building's security system. For example, when the user passes the security system (such as turnstile, gate card system, etc.) with the pre-registered smart card, the system will also make the floor registration at the same time; the system can restrict the user to only go to the designated floor. Certain floors, or other floors are set to only the main floor. Most destination dispatch systems can integrate with the building's security system.
Some buildings require users to take a smart card for security check when they go to a specific floor. In conjunction with this system, users need to use the keypad or touch screen to select the floor and use the card during the elevator trip. However, the car will not work if it has reached the time limit. In this case, the elevator will not open its doors at this floor and will automatically return to the main floor. The Schindler ID system (successor to Miconic 10) is an example of a system that operates in this system.
Some systems also prevents the smart card from being used by another person. When a smart card is passed over to another person, the system will block the access and regard it as an unauthorized access, as the smart card has been configured to allow only one way entry and exit. Schindler PORT as well as Mitsubishi's DOAS have this feature.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- Compared to a traditional elevator system, the system can first assign users to different elevators because the system will know in advance the floors that all users are traveling to. For example, if passengers go to the same floor or adjacent, they will be assigned to the same elevator; while others will be assigned to different elevators to save waiting time.
- Letting the passengers which elevator is assigned and even the estimated time of arrival can make the passengers less annoyed and angry during peak time.
- Travel time in the elevator is reduced as the elevator only makes few stops, eliminating unnecessary stops compared to a conventional elevator system, and by doing so maximises efficiency and reduce operational wear, operation costs, and energy consumption.
- The reduced travel time also reduces the number of passengers waiting for elevators on all floors.
- Passengers can register their destination floors more easily when the elevators are crowded.
- Since passengers with the same destination are grouped to the same elevators, it makes elevator cars less crowded, thus making journey more comfortable.
- Building traffic is genuinely managed and handling capacity is radically improved.
- It can organize elevator lobbies with orderly traffic flow.
- Some destination dispatch systems (such as Schindler's PORT) have an option to use a pre-programmed card and use it on the wall-mounted panel (standard option) or use turnstiles and assign an elevator (turnstile option). This enhances security and modernity.
Disadvantages
- Some people who are not used to destination dispatch elevators may not understand how to use it or find the system to be confusing, even though the method of use is simple and building managements have put instruction signs on how to operate the system in elevator lobbies.
- In fact, there have been a few cases where building managements have downgraded the system back to a conventional elevator dispatching system because of too many people complaining about the system for being confusing to them. One example happened in the Mong Kok Government Office building in Hong Kong[1][2] and CentralPlaza Lardprao office tower in Bangkok. Therefore, this system is mainly used in places with a small number of visitors or higher levels.
- People who are not familiar with the system or those who are in a hurry may simply enter the elevator when the doors are open. However, since most systems don't have visible floor buttons inside the elevator it is not always possible to get into their floors, so the only way is to go out of the elevator and enter the destination there.
- In some buildings which have badly designed floor layouts, passengers can not get to the elevators in time (e.g. keypad too far from elevators) and have to enter one destination several times.
- If the user enters the floor multiple times, the system will often think that multiple people are waiting and will allocate empty cars to serve this one person.
- For the hybrid options, it is possible to "spam" all the floors and work around the destination dispatch panel. However, this obviously doesn't happen to the full-configuration ones.
- For the hybrid options, it is possible to work around the security system by choosing ground floor at the panel and selecting other floors once the person get into the car.
Notable products
By major elevator manufacturers
| Name | Manufacturer | Year released | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGILE | TK Elevator (formerly thyssenkrupp Elevator) |
2018 | Successor of thyssenkrupp Destination Selection Control. |
| Compass360 (formerly Compass / CompassPlus) |
Otis Elevator Company | 2005 (Compass) 2013 (CompassPlus) 2020 (Compass 360) |
|
| Destination Dispatching System | Sigma Elevator Company | 2010s (?) | Sigma's version of Otis Compass. Also known as e*route. |
| Destination Oriented Allocation System (DOAS) |
Mitsubishi Electric | 2002 | Known as ELE-NAVI inJapan. |
| Destination Selection Control (DSC) (discontinued) |
thyssenkrupp | Early 2000s | Discontinued in 2018. Succeeded by thyssenkrupp AGILE. |
| Destination Selecting System | Hyundai Elevator | 2006 | Also known as HELIAS |
| EZSHUTTLE | Fujitec | Unknown | Also known as Destination Floor Guide System (DFGS). |
| FIBEE (also known as DFRS) | Hitachi | Unknown | |
| FLOORNAVI | Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corporation | Unknown | |
| Kone Destination (formerly known as Kone Polaris) |
Kone | 2005 | |
| Miconic 10 / SchindlerID (discontinued) |
Schindler | 1990 (Miconic 10) 2000 (SchindlerID) |
Succeeded by Schindler PORT. |
| The PORT Technology | Schindler | 2009 | Schindler's third generation of destination dispatch after Miconic 10 and SchindlerID. |
By third-party ("generic") elevator components manufacturers
| Name | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Destination Based Dispatching | Nidec Corporation Motion Control Engineering |
|
| Destination Control System | Schneider Steuerungstechnik GmbH | |
| Destination Dispatching System | Shanghai STEP Electric Corporation | |
| Ethos Navigator | Thames Valley Controls | |
| LiftXPress | Kollmorgen Steuerungstechnik GmbH | In Hong Kong (China), this system is installed under Anlev Elex Elevator's name. |
| SmartDispatch | SmartRise |
Notable installations
Fujitec Destination Reservation Guidance System
- New York Times Building, New York, NY, United States
- 510 Madison, New York, NY, United States
- Park Place, Seattle, WA, United States
- Genesis, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, China (2018-2019, replaced from Mitsubishi elevators.)[3][4]
Kone Destination (formerly Kone Polaris)
- Main article: List of notable Kone Destination elevator installations
Mitsubishi Destination Oriented Allocation System (DOAS[-S])
- Main article: List of notable Mitsubishi DOAS elevator installations
Otis Compass series
- Main article: List of notable Otis Compass elevator installations
Schindler Miconic 10
Schindler PORT Technology
- Main article: List of notable Schindler PORT elevator installations
ThyssenKrupp Destination Selection Control (DSC)
- Main article: Thyssenkrupp DSC
Hyundai Destination Selecting System (HELIAS)
South Korea
- Busan International Finance Center, Busan
- SSangYong Town, Seoul
- D-Cube Offices, Seoul
Indonesia
- Menara Citicon, Jakarta[5]
- AKR Tower, Jakarta
Other countries
- Varyap Meridian Grand Tower, Istanbul, Turkey[6]
Hitachi Destination Floor Reservation System (DFRS)
Thailand
- MBK Tower, Bangkok[7]
- Bhiraj Tower at EmQuartier, Bangkok (2015)[8]
- G Tower, Bangkok (2016)
- Pearl Bangkok, Bangkok (under construction)
Malaysia
- Menara Bangkok Bank, Kuala Lumpur
- Excellent Bonanza, Kuala Lumpur (2013)
Other countries
- St. Paul Hospital Block B, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, China (2017)
- Burj Al Salam Tower, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2013)
- Panorama Technocenter, Quezon City, Philippines
Trivia
- In thyssenkrupp TWIN elevator system, destination dispatch is implemented on this elevator system as standard control feature; whereas generally destination dispatch is an optional feature in (most) other elevator models
- In Hong Kong, Hitachi Destination Floor Reservation System, Kone Destination, Schindler Miconic 10 and PORT with "portOS" are currently the only systems that meet Hong Kong's "Design Manual - Barrier Free Access 2008 (BFA 2008)" standard which was revised in September 2015[9], and additionally explained for the requirement of destination dispatch.
Notes and references
- ↑ "隨着「目的地控制系統」漸趨成熟，目前除迅達知名的「Miconic 10」系統及後繼系列外，其他品牌亦爭相仿效，在本港亦漸趨成熟，亦令普遍乘客不再陌生。", "hkelev.com" facebook page.
- ↑ LCQ20: Users' reactions to intelligent lifts at Mongkok Government Offices were mixed (Chinese version) (Information Services Department, Hong Kong - June 18, 2003).
- ↑ "Genesis" Modernization Project (News Release), Fujitec (HK) Co. Ltd.
- ↑ 會用完整系統 (Facebook group: hkelev.com)
- ↑ Hyundai Destination Dispatch Traction Elevators at Citicon Tower, Jakarta
- ↑ Amazing Super Fast Hyundai Helias Destination Dispatch Traction Elevators at Varyap Meridian
- ↑ Quick View of LEGENDARY Hitachi DFRS Traction Elevators @ MBK Tower, Bangkok
- ↑ BRAND NEW LEGENDARY Hitachi DFRS Elevators @ Bhiraj Tower at EmQuartier, Bangkok (Low Zone)
- ↑ "Design Manual - Barrier Free Access 2008 (BFA 2008)" - Corrigendum (September 2015), Buildings Department, HKSAR, China.
External links
- Understanding the benefits and limitations of destination dispatch elevator
- hkelev - Destination Dispatch system
| Destination dispatch elevator | |
|---|---|
| Main article | Destination dispatch |
| Systems by manufacturers | AGILE (TK Elevator, formerly DSC) • Compass / CompassPlus / Compass 360 (Otis) • Destination / Polaris (Kone) • Destination Oriented Allocation System (DOAS) (Mitsubishi Electric) • Destination Selection Control (DSC) (thyssenkrupp) • Destination Selecting System (Hyundai) • EZShuttle (Fujitec) • FIBEE (Hitachi) • FLOORNAVI (Toshiba) • Miconic 10 (Schindler) • The PORT Technology (Schindler) • SchindlerID (Schindler) |