Elevators for odd-numbered floors

brightridge59 Active MemberOP

85 messages
joined Jun 2011

#1 · Nov 4, 2007

I’ve been chewing on this little quirk for quite some time now, especially regarding the layout of certain high-rise buildings—including the one I’m currently calling home.
It seems there are always two distinct types of elevators in play: those that serve every single floor, and then those specialized ones that strictly service only the odd-numbered floors. To be perfectly honest, I don’t think I’ve ever actually encountered an elevator dedicated solely to even numbers, and even if one did exist, I struggle to see the practical logic behind either setup. 😕

I mean, if we already have a perfectly functional elevator that stops at every single floor, what is the actual point of having one that limits itself to just the odd or even levels? 🤷

brightridge59 Active MemberOP

85 messages
joined Jun 2011

#2 · Nov 4, 2007

I had a bit of a realization while I was heading down to the local Target earlier—it turns out that this specific elevator, the one that only services certain floors, really does only stop at the even-numbered ones. 🤣 😵
It was actually the first one of its kind I've ever encountered in person. 😬

Still, it leaves me wondering: what is the actual purpose behind designing them this way? 😕

Thomas Myers6 Newcomer

6 messages
joined Mar 2008

#3 · Nov 4, 2007

brightridge59 said:No, the question still hangs there. Why do they even exist? I guess it’s just one of those things that doesn't make much sense when you really sit down and think about it. Maybe there's a reason, but I doubt it. 😕

Are you kidding me right now? Seriously?
It’s actually pretty simple, I guess. You usually see this in those massive high-rise apartment buildings or big office towers. It’s all about cutting down the crowds and making sure you aren't stuck waiting forever for an elevator. Having two lifts instead of just one means you actually get to your floor in a reasonable amount of time, rather than just standing there staring at a wall. Maybe it's overkill for some, but for these kinds of buildings, it's basically a necessity.
Is that any clearer? 🙂

Gerald Morgan Newcomer

8 messages
joined Oct 2007

#4 · Nov 4, 2007

It’s the exact same story in my building... they finally decided—after what felt like an eternity—to install these fancy new elevators. Honestly, those old ones were terrifying to step into. I used to just walk up to the fifth floor every single day without thinking twice, but now? This whole setup is such a drag. One neighbor even thinks he looks like some guy out of Star Trek because of them.

placidjackal36 Active Member

183 messages
joined Jan 2008

#5 · Nov 4, 2007

In the US, apartment complexes use all sorts of different setups. You’ll see some buildings running a mix of even and odd elevators, others just using two lifts to service every single floor, and I’ve even spotted some massive high-rises using a three-elevator system—one full-service, one for evens, and one for odds.
The whole point is to cut down on the wait times and the chaos. It prevents that nightmare scenario where you have two elevators trying to handle twenty-plus floors by stopping at every damn level, turning a quick trip into a five-minute odyssey.
If we actually built more super-tall towers with higher density and heavier traffic, we’d probably start seeing those "sky lobbies" where an express elevator shoots you up to a certain level, and then you switch to a local one to reach your specific unit. But we just don't do that here. 😛

brightridge59 Active MemberOP

85 messages
joined Jun 2011

#6 · Nov 4, 2007

What I’m really getting at is the difference between an elevator that services every single floor versus those setups that only stop at even or odd levels. 😬
In theory, those specialized patterns should help cut down on the wait times and congestion, but how can they actually make a dent in the crowds when the cabs are so tiny you can barely squeeze two people inside? 🤣

placidjackal36 Active Member

183 messages
joined Jan 2008

#7 · Nov 4, 2007

brightridge59 said:Look, I’m talking about those elevator setups where some only hit even or odd floors. 😬
Sure, they’re supposed to cut down on wait times, but how does that work when the damn thing can barely fit two people inside? 🤣

And honestly, those tiny elevators almost always run on that even/odd floor logic. The bigger ones usually just service every floor. There are actually some pretty clever designs out there—double doors, double-deckers, you name it.
At the end of the day, an elevator is just transit, plain and simple. It's basically a subway car, just moving vertically instead of along tracks.

wearyhound10 Newcomer

1 message
joined Feb 2007

#8 · Nov 6, 2007

I mean, why not just install three elevators that service every single floor? It’s gonna cut down the wait times regardless of whether one handles even floors and the other handles odd... we're talking about three damn elevators here anyway...

Gerald Morgan Newcomer

8 messages
joined Oct 2007

#9 · Nov 6, 2007

wearyhound10 said:Why not just install three elevators that serve every floor? The crowds will thin out regardless of whether you split them by even or odd numbers—you've got three damn elevators at your disposal here.

ejmen😂

placidjackal36 Active Member

183 messages
joined Jan 2008

#10 · Nov 6, 2007

wearyhound10 said:Why don't they just install three elevators that serve every single floor? It’ll cut down the crowds regardless of whether you're assigned to an even or odd number, because at the end of the day, you’ve got three damn elevators working for you.

1) Look, someone standing on a random floor has zero clue how many people are currently crammed into an elevator or where anyone is getting off. They can't exactly pick the least crowded car. Traffic spikes are unpredictable and can get pretty ugly.
By using an even-odd system, you force exactly half the building to use one specific elevator. That keeps the congestion way down.

2) Do you have any actual idea how much a single elevator unit—including the shaft running through the entire skyscraper—actually costs? 🙂

Robert Baker2 Newcomer

8 messages
joined Dec 2007

#11 · Nov 7, 2007

Quite intriguing, wouldn't you say?☕

Gerald Morgan Newcomer

8 messages
joined Oct 2007

#12 · Nov 7, 2007

placidjackal36;11143534 said:1) Someone standing on a random floor has zero clue how many people are actually in the elevator—or even where they're heading—so choosing the least crowded car is basically guesswork. Traffic spikes are unpredictable and can be a total mess.
By implementing an even-odd floor system, you essentially force exactly half the building onto one elevator. It slashes the congestion significantly.

I was honestly wondering if anyone would catch onto that... why even bother mentioning it? We could have had a few more laughs at your expense. You aren't exactly the genius you think you are...😂 😂 😂

placidtiger18 Newcomer

4 messages
joined May 2006

#13 · Nov 7, 2007

placidjackal36 said:And look, those small elevators? They usually run on an odd-even floor system. The big ones typically hit every single floor. Honestly, there are some seriously brilliant elevator designs out there—double doors, double-deckers, you name it.
I mean, at the end of the day, it’s just transit, much like a subway train. It just happens to move vertically instead of down a track.

Check out this madness: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paternoster

It’s anything but easy to use. It taps into that deep, primal fear of just... dying.

Gerald Morgan Newcomer

8 messages
joined Oct 2007

#14 · Nov 7, 2007

placidtiger18 said:check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paternoster

It’s anything but user-friendly—pure primal fear.

😲 JUST IMAGINE 😂 😂 😂

placidtiger18 Newcomer

4 messages
joined May 2006

#15 · Nov 7, 2007

Linda Lopez80 said:😲 JUST IMAGINE 😂 😂 😂

I don't even need to imagine. I've tried it a few times already. Still got all my limbs attached.😁

Gerald Morgan Newcomer

8 messages
joined Oct 2007

#16 · Nov 7, 2007

placidtiger18 said:I don't even need to imagine—I've tried it a few times myself. Still have all my limbs intact.😁

And where exactly is that supposed to be?☕

placidtiger18 Newcomer

4 messages
joined May 2006

#17 · Nov 7, 2007

Linda Lopez80 said:And where on earth is that supposed to be?☕

The US Patent Office over in Munich. This isn't an official shot from them, but looks like the exact same model to me. Anyway, the elevator is UL certified.

Gerald Morgan Newcomer

8 messages
joined Oct 2007

#18 · Nov 7, 2007

placidtiger18 said:The USPTO in Washington. This isn't their actual photo—it looks similar enough, though—but anyway, the elevator is UL certified.

I'm curious how many injury lawsuits they rack up annually...😕 .... do they issue any warnings or age restrictions—like "not for children under X years old" or something?

placidtiger18 Newcomer

4 messages
joined May 2006

#19 · Nov 7, 2007

Linda Lopez80 said:I wonder how many lawsuits they deal with every year because of driving accidents...😕 ...do they issue any warnings or anything? Like "not for kids under a certain age" or whatever?

Look, they've got three perfectly functional elevators right there, but they kept this one around just as some kind of historical monument. You won't find any kids running around there—that place is basically run by the Patent Office.

Gerald Morgan Newcomer

8 messages
joined Oct 2007

#20 · Nov 7, 2007

"No children," you say... I won't even try to help you there—it's just... they don't exactly patent kids, do they? 😂 😂 😂

Personally, I’d love to see them install one of those glass observation elevators in our apartment building—just so we could all have a laugh when it gets stuck halfway up and the whole block gathers outside to mock the poor soul trapped inside. 🙏

Elevators for odd-numbered floors

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