Smart technologies take elevator operations to the next level

摘要

Digitalisation is bringing efficiencies to maintaining and operating elevators and passenger traffic. Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Horizon provides an example, featuring elevators that use an innovative technology to optimise passenger traffic flow. Passengers select their destination from a touch-panel in the lobby and are then directed to an elevator that is programmed to take them to their destination in the quickest possible time. This results in fewer stops, shorter travel time and reduced energy consumption. Known as PORT Technology, the system is provided by elevator company Schindler. The company estimates the PORT Technology system can cut passenger embarkation and disembarkation time by up to 40%. Schindler supplied 33 elevators and four escalators for Carnival Horizon. Sixteen of the vessel's main elevators incorporate the PORT Technology system. Carnival Horizon was built by Fincantieri and carried out its maiden trans-Atlantic crossing in 2018. The vessel is the second of Carnival's Vista-class ships and operates six and eight-night sailings from Miami to the western, eastern and southern Caribbean. Finland-based Kone is also applying digital technologies to make elevator operations more efficient. The TrafCal traffic calculator provides analysis of passenger flow during embarkation, disembarkation and at-sea operations, while the E-link equipment monitoring system allows crew and maintenance personnel to see transport demand, performance, availability and quickly respond to malfunctions. Traffic flow is optimised by the hybrid Destination Control System (DCS), which combines the function of a traditional DCS with a collective control system. This groups passengers travelling to the same destinations into the same elevators, improving flow of foot traffic. MSC Cruises' MSC Meraviglia is the lead ship in the Vista Project series of vessels, launched in 2017 and joined in service by sister vessel MSC Bellissima in 2019. With capacity for more than 7,000 passengers and crew members, efficient flow of foot traffic is vital.