« Back to Facilities Management News Home
New York City — May 29, 2015 — ThyssenKrupp, a global technologies and materials group, said the fastest elevators in North and South America have been installed at One World Trade Center in New York. The five elevators servicing the observatory represent a significant engineering feat, able to travel at nearly 23 mph and climbing to the 102nd floor in just 60 seconds.
At this speed, the elevators nearly outpace Usain Bolt’s world-record 100-meter sprint.
ThyssenKrupp’s global network of experts collaborated together to achieve this record-setting mark through a variety of customized solutions specific to the demands of the iconic One World Trade Center. Together, eight countries contributed key elements of the elevators including cabins, motors, cables, 4 million pounds of rails and complex software.
hyssenKrupp’s high-speed elevators are equipped with several special technologies to get and keep them moving at record-setting speeds. Aerodynamic aluminium shrouds deflect air and maintain speed, similar to a spoiler wing on a car. A special guide system minimizes vibrations, ensuring a smoother ride. Sound-suppressing materials throughout elevator cabs and doors limit noise.
“The sheer magnitude of One World Trade Center posed unique vertical transportation and structural engineering challenges which required thoughtful engineering solutions,” said Richard Hussey, president and CEO of ThyssenKrupp Elevator Americas. "What riders experience is just a small fraction of the years of planning and execution we have invested into creating and maintaining the fastest elevators in the Western Hemisphere.”
ThyssenKrupp also designed and installed all of the elevators and escalators throughout the building. The elevator system provides energy conservation to the building. LED lights in cab ceilings will save more than 78,000 kilowatt-hours annually versus halogen bulbs, which is equivalent to fully powering an average U.S. home for more than seven years. Regenerative drives will recapture elevator energy and return it to the building’s electrical system.
The elevators employ ThyssenKrupp Elevator’s Destination Dispatch technology, which uses intelligent software and kiosks to group people on to elevators to move them to their destination the fastest. Altogether, ThyssenKrupp installed 71 elevators and 12 escalators into One World Trade Center.
“Working on this iconic project and such an important part of the New York City skyline is a point of pride for the ThyssenKrupp team around the world,” said Patrick Bass, CEO of ThyssenKrupp North America.
ThyssenKrupp Elevator Americas is the largest producer of elevators in the Americas, with more than 15,500 employees. For more information, visit www.thyssenkruppelevator.com.
