Waiting for the elevator: How modern displays can prevent frustration

The solution: Always keep an eye on waiting times with modern displays

In many other areas of life, it has been shown that transparency and information help to increase satisfaction. When users know what is happening and how long they have to wait, they feel less at the mercy of others. In the case of elevators, it would therefore be helpful if there were a system that provided clear information about the elevator’s expected arrival.

How about simply showing users how long they will have to wait? Then everyone can decide for themselves whether they want to wait, whether it’s better to take the stairs or whether they can even grab a quick coffee.

This is now possible! An innovative solution that is already being used in some modern buildings are displays that show the expected waiting time on each floor until the elevator arrives. This technology not only gives users an insight into the current utilization of the elevator system, but also enables them to make their own decisions.

Less frustration, more understanding

Surveys show that the introduction of such information systems creates an unexpected transparency of information and a clearly positive perception of the operator. Users understand the situation better and have the feeling that they are back in control of their decisions. Especially at peak times, when the elevators are heavily frequented, transparency leads to more patience and understanding. The stay becomes a positive user experience.

Such systems could also increase the efficiency of elevator operation in the long term. If more people use the stairs when the elevator takes longer, the load is reduced and there are fewer overloads in the system. In buildings with heavy interfloor traffic, this could lead to an improvement in the overall performance of the elevators. If the approximate travel times are known, a comparative calculation, for example, can provide specific recommendations.

Since the signals for displaying the estimated time of arrival have been defined in the CANopen-Lift standard, more and more modern elevator controllers are making this information available. The flexyPage® displays can show this information from all these manufacturers and thus contribute to a better user experience.

Conclusion

Waiting for an elevator is often unpleasant, especially if there is no information about the cause of the delay. Modern flexyPage® displays, which show the expected arrival time on each floor, create transparency and enable users to make informed decisions. This technology helps to reduce frustration, promote understanding and ultimately make the use of elevators in busy buildings more efficient and positive. It’s a small step with a big impact that makes everyday life a little bit more pleasant for many people.