The adoption of a Performance Based Code for Elevator Safety (PBC) will benefit all elevator passengers.  By allowing elevator manufacturers to use the latest state-of-the-art technology, design and materials in the engineering of new and renovated elevator systems, the PBC will lead to increases in safety, energy efficiency, accessibility, speed, capacity and comfort. 

Safety
Safety is the most important aspect in the design of an elevator system.  Under the PBC, safety will be ensured by providing additional oversight to verify the safety of a new technology.  In addition to meeting the specific, prescriptive requirements under the 2007 version of ASME A17.1/CSA B44, the PBC will allow elevator manufacturers to comply with Global Essential Safety Requirements (GESRs) as an alternative.  Manufacturers must conduct thorough safety and performance tests to show compliance with the GESRs and verify that all possible risks have been eliminated under their new designs.  The designs will then be reviewed and analyzed by an Accredited Elevator Certifying Organization (AECO), and the AECO certifies to the safety code enforcing authorities that the elevator meets the requirements in the PBC. 

Under this system, elevators will continue to maintain the stellar safety record that they are known for, while allowing manufacturers to apply state-of-the-art technology to the designs. New safety measures such as sophisticated braking systems, laser sensors and advanced speed governors, which may not be specifically addressed by ASME A17.1/CSA B44, will increase overall elevator safety.

Speed/Capacity
Elevator speed, capacity and efficiency are currently limited by prescribed codes as designers must utilize specified building materials, control devices and driving machines.  The PBC will allow manufacturers to use strong, lightweight synthetic or composite materials in construction, state-of-the-art computerized control devices and evolutionary drive designs to move elevators.  These types of advances will allow for lighter and faster elevators capable of safely moving more passengers in less time.

An example of a new technology that the PBC accommodates is the use of multiple elevator cars to travel independently in the same elevator shaft, increasing both speed and capacity.  Under the prescriptive code, this technology, which is currently in use in Europe, would require a complicated local variance process to be used in North America.

Comfort
Not only will the use of advanced building materials, controls and drives enable faster transportation, but also more comfortable transportation for all passengers. Aerodynamic designs, lightweight building materials, and advanced speed controls allow for extremely smooth starting and stopping of elevator cars and whisper-quiet operation.  Many new designs also incorporate aesthetically pleasing lighting systems and high-tech monitors to view news programming, important messages or interesting scenes from outside of the elevator.

One example of an advanced elevator system is in Taipei 101, a super-high skyscraper in Taiwan.  This elevator utilizes a car shaped like a bullet-train to minimize traveling noise. Additionally, the cabin is pressurized to enhance passenger comfort in adapting to rapid changes in air pressure.

Accessibility
While elevators are already required to conform to standards for universal access, new designs will allow for increased accessibility for individuals with impairments.  For passengers with impairments, the accessibility and usability of an elevator system is critical for comfort and marketability. 

One advance in this area is the development of destination-based elevator dispatch controls. These systems require passengers to enter their destination floor on an entry device located in the elevator lobby. The passenger is then directed to the elevator that will provide the most direct and fastest transportation to the desired floor.  This innovative design has improved the accessibility of elevator systems and allows for more efficient and productive movement of people throughout a building.