A State of the Art Review on Smart Elevator Dispatching Systems - Coursework Example

A State of the Art Review on Smart Elevator Dispatching Systems Mohammed Kheshaim Abstract: The real estate industry has experienced tremendous growth, as evidenced by the ever-growing tall buildings in most cities. The use of elevators to carry people to their desired floors has been under development but have experienced some problems. This was attributed to the dispatch system of the elevators. The study aimed at evaluating the state of the art review on Smart Elevator Dispatching Systems. To carry out the analysis, the qualitative methodology was adopted which involved gathering and evaluating secondary research data. There are different elevator dispatching systems, which has been developed. These include the Estimated Time to Dispatch (ETD), the Otis Compass Plus (OCP), and the Destination Control System (DCS). Under an effective comparison of these elevator dispatching systems, they have some weakness and strengths. Among them, the most efficient and recommended elevator is the Destination Control System (DCS). Keywords: Elevator, Elevator dispatching systems, Elevator calling systems, Destination control, Destination dispatch, Human behavior, Energy saving, Smart Elevator Introduction Over the years, the real estate industry has experienced tremendous growth, as evidenced by the ever growing tall buildings in most cities. As a result of these developments, accessing the building floors has become a great concern [4]. This is attributed to the amount of time it takes to access the top most floors and the number of people that can access these floors at any given time. For these reasons, in an effort to eradicate these problems buildings have incorporated the use of elevators to carry people to their desired floors [1]. However, even with the introduction of elevators tall building still experiences the same problems. This was attributed to the dispatch system of the elevators. Traditional elevators could not perform more than two commands at any given time. These commands included the collective selective and collective down command [2]. This led to crowding in lobbies as they were quite slow, as a result of their ability to only understand two basic commands[4]. However, in recent years, there have been developments in dispatching systems [2]. These developments try to resolve the problems associated with traditional elevators. As a result different dispatch systems have been developed. This paper comprehensively analyzes the recent advances in the State of the Art Review on Smart Elevator Dispatching Systems by looking at some of the major dispatching systems that have been developed over the years. 1. The structure of the paper 2. This paper adopts the following structure 3. Abstract 4. Keyword 5. Introduction 6. Methodology of study 7. Review of the existing elevator dispatching system 8. Critical commentary from the human behavior aspect 9. Critical commentary from sustainability aspect 10. Discussion 11. Conclusion 12. References Methodology The present research adopted a qualitative research methodology. The methodology applied include a comprehensive analysis of the literature existing on the elevators calling systems. The research relied on the secondary data, which was gained from secondary sources such as reviewed articles, journals, and books. Based on the literature review, the best elevator dispatch system among the evaluated is recommended. Review of the existing elevator dispatching system Estimated Time to Dispatch (ETD) This is a dispatch system patented by ThyssenKrupp Elevator and operates in three modes; 1. Destination dispatch; 2. Conventional dispatching with up and down hall call buttons on other floors, 3 a combination of destination input in busy floors and conventional hall call buttons on other floors. As a result, of these three combinations ETD aims at ensuring individuals reach their respective floors within the shortest time. Traditional elevators usually allocated lifts to individuals based on which lift is closest to them. However, this at times could prove costly as these lifts would come almost full, which could in return lead to people struggling to get their way into the lifts [3]. However, the ETD not only allocates lift based on the proximity of the calls but also considers the number of people in the lift. Additionally, it also considers the number of stops the lift is going to make before the last person exits. Therefore, by taking such factors, the system is capable of calculating the amount of time it would take to transport an individual to their desired destination. Therefore, an individual is likely to be allocated a lift that would take as little time to take them to their final destination [4]. Destination Control System (DCS) The Destination control System is a product of KONE Elevators, which aims to provide an increased efficiency for the building users, reduced time taken by individuals moving from one floor to the other and increased security when using the lifts [1]. The DCS achieves this by incorporating artificial intelligence; travel forecasting; fuzzy logic and genetic optimization [5]. Therefore, through a combination of these elements, the DCS is capable of trafficking people with a lot of ease. This is evidenced during peak hours, which could prove quite challenging for traditional dispatch system used in the past, and could thus affect the amount of time to traffic people [3]. This is attributed to the increased number of people, leading to an increased number of calls made to the lift [6]. As a result, responding to all these calls could lead to malfunction and increased the time of trafficking people from floor to floor. However, the DCS is able to forecast peak hours based on the integrated artificial intelligence. This is achieved by continuous monitoring of the traffic behavior at all times. As a result, during peak hours, the DCS is capable of adjusting itself to accommodate the increased traffic, thus reducing the amount of time taken to move people. The DCS also takes into account the disabled, thereby ensuring that the lifts are accessible and easy to use by everyone [5]. Otis Compass Plus (OCP) Otis compass is an elevator dispatch system that has been developed by Otis elevators, which tries to ensure that building users enjoy the best trafficking experience they can get. This is achieved by coming up with a system that is easily understood by all the users. Additionally, OCP introduces the smart grouping concept which is an improvement to the conventional dispatch systems and traditional dispatch system [2]. Traditional dispatch systems allowed individuals to choose the lifts they would board. However, this proved to be quite a time consuming and led to crowding in the lobbies. As a way of remedying the situation, conventional dispatch systems were developed [4]. The conventional dispatch systems grouped people based on their destinations. Therefore, individuals going to the same floor would be assigned to the same lift. This led to fewer stops being made; thus reducing the time taken to reach the destination. However, despite these improvements the system still faced setbacks, and the main setback is overlapping of lifts [6]. The comparison of the different dispatching system is presented in the figure below Estimated Time to Dispatching System Destination Control Systems Otis Compass Plus System Comparison/Advantages It is operated in three modes, which include destination dispatch, conventional dispatch and the combination of the destination input. Ensures people reach their floors at the shortest time possible It considers to aspects in allocation: the number of people in the lift and the proximity It also considers the numbers of stoops to be made before the list stops It achieves security, takes less time to lift people and increased efficiency. It forecasts the peak hours by the use of the integrated artificial intelligence I adjusts during the peak hours in order to accommodate more people It considers the disabled people Ensures best trafficking experience at all time It integrates the grouping system It groups people based on their destinations It consumes little time for people to reach their destination Disadvantages It is costly by allocating people based on the lifts close to them The peak hours forecast by the system may not be correct The system experiences overlapping of the lifts hence lowering the efficiency A Critical commentary on human behavior aspect It is important also to note that designing an elevator dispatch system is not solely confined to the size of the building but rather other factors. Human behavior plays a great role in designing an elevator dispatch system. These behaviors include the gender differences, their heath conditions, social preferences among other factors. This is attributed to the fact that, elevators are essentially designed to meet the needs of the people. Therefore, it goes without saying, a good elevator dispatch system should consider the preferences of the user. A good dispatch system should put into consideration the gender of the user. Barney & Al-Sharif (2015) indicates that the female gender tends to incline to the appearance of the interface. This is to say that, a good interface is likely to communicate easily to females, as they are attracted to the interface. As a result existing dispatch systems tend to have an interface that is not only easy to operate but also attractive. In addition to this, dispatch systems have to put into consideration how human behave when faced with tragedy, such as shock, loss of consciousness, and inability to think right. [2]. Failure to do so could lead to deaths or injuries in times of tragedy. For instance in times of fire, people scatter all over in an effort to save their lives and if dispatch system is incapable of reading the situation properly then it could lead to tragic losses. Additionally, elevator dispatch systems should also put into considerations that there are individuals who would board lift without pressing their destination at the point of entry. As a result, the dispatch system should be able to get such persons to their destination without needing to take them back to the lobbies to press their detonations. Therefore, human behaviors play a critical in coming with most suitable elevator dispatch system. A Critical commentary on the sustainability aspect Sustainability also plays a critical role in determining the manner in which an elevator dispatch system is to be designed. Sustainability in this sense refers to the life of the dispatch system, how often should repairs take place and the amount of energy or electricity needed to power it [4]. A good dispatch system should have a long lifespan. This is to say that, even after ten or fifteen years the dispatch system should be able to perform its tasks without much difficulty. In doing so then, its design has to put into changes in technology that may arise and how to incorporate them [3]. Additionally, a good dispatch system should be energy efficient, meaning that it should have the ability to consume less energy and at the same time meets its objectives. This is as a result of the growing concerns about protecting the environment and as such a good dispatch system should be eco-friendly[2]. Furthermore, a good dispatch system is one that does not require constant repairs. This is because constant repairs make it expensive to maintain the system [wa7ed]. Conclusion In conclusion, the rise of tall buildings and increased human activities in such buildings has led to the need for coming up with elevator dispatch systems. These systems aim at ensuring minimal time is wasted in reaching the desired floors. Additionally, the dispatch systems aim at eradicating crowds witnessed in traditional dispatch systems. This is achieved by grouping people based on their destinations and assigning the same lift. Additionally, assigning lifts to specific floors reduces crowding and avoid instances of overlapping of lifts. However, the lifts should be advanced in a manner that they are energy efficient, with minimum repairs. Among the different dispatching systems discussed, the most efficient and recommended elevator is the Destination Control System (DCS). References 1) Barney, G & Al-Sharif, L 2015, Elevator Traffic Handbook: Theory and Practice, Routledge, Abingdon-on-Thames. P37 2) Lucas, K & Roosen, P eds, 2009, Emergence, Analysis and Evolution of Structures: Concepts and Strategies Across Disciplines, Springer, Berlin. P137 3) ThyssenKrupp Elevator 2016, Destination Dispatch, ThyssenKrupp Elevator, Duisburg. 4) Parker, D & Antony, W 2013, The Tall Building Reference Book, Routledge, Abingdon-on-Thames. P167 5) Strakosch, GR & Caporale, RS 2010, The Vertical Transportation Handbook, John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey. P231 6) Otis Elevator Company 2016, Compass Plus: Destination Management System, Otis elevator Company, Farmington. . Read More