Elevator technology developed in the 19th century made the advent of skyscrapers possible. Now that skyscraper construction is rebounding after the recession, can vertical transport systems keep up with developers' and designers' lofty visions?
Tim Catts looks at the latest technologies being developed by the $66 billion elevator industry. "With high-rises in China and Saudi Arabia poised to surpass Dubai’s record 2,717-foot (828-meter) Burj Khalifa, the race to outfit the next generation of super-tall buildings is spurring engineering leaps at Otis, Kone Oyj (KNEBV) and their elevator-making competitors..."
“We’re reinvesting in the skyscraper because the buildings on the drawing board right now are just different,” President Pedro Baranda said in an interview at Otis’s headquarters in Farmington, Connecticut. “Understanding the elevatoring of a very high-rise building can often give you insights into what you can do better at the lower end.”
By utilizing double-deck cars, polyurethane-coated belts, gearless drives, and advanced braking and computerized dispatch systems, elevator companies are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in tall building construction.
“Advances in elevators in the past 20 years are probably the greatest advances we’ve seen in tall buildings,” Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Chairman Antony Wood said in a telephone interview from Chicago.
FULL STORY: Double-Deck Elevators Rise as Tallest Towers Test Limits
Report: NYC Transit Falling Behind on Accessibility
The city is lagging on meeting its pledge to improve accessibility across the system.
New York Must Make Almost All Subway Stations Accessible by 2055, Judge Rules
Another recent ruling is forcing the agency to accelerate its efforts to make all New York subway stations accessible to people with disabilities and mobility issues.
MTA Uses Density Bonuses to Improve Accessibility
Under a new zoning law, New York City developers can receive density bonuses for building elevators and other accessibility upgrades for the city’s subway system.
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.
Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop
When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.
San Francisco Turns On California’s First Speed Cameras
The city is the first in the state to use automated traffic enforcement to reduce speeding and traffic deaths.
Shaping LA’s Future: Public Voting Opens for LA2050 Grants
The LA2050 Grants Challenge invites Angelenos to vote on the top issues facing Los Angeles, helping direct $3 million in funding to organizations working to build a more connected and resilient region.
Chicago Transit Agencies on Brink of Major Crisis
Without additional funding, regional transit agencies will be forced to cut services by 40 percent.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Florida Atlantic University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Piedmont, CA
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland