Accessibility on the Fast Track

TKE installs new elevators at historic Autodrome in Italy.

Conceived in 1927 by three Italian racecar drivers and an automotive journalist as a 1,000-mi. speed race from Brescia to Rome, Italy, and back, the 1000 Miglia is, today, the world’s most famous regularity race for historic cars. With a route traversing the breathtaking scenery of the Italian peninsula, winding through historic towns and verdant countryside, it is also known as “the most beautiful race in the world.”^[1] On the occasion of this year’s 1000 Miglia race, held on June 13-17 (the 70th anniversary of the Imola Circuit), two customized TK Elevator (TKE) elevators were inaugurated at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Autodrome as part of a wider project to modernize and redesign the facility with a view to sustainable event management. TKE produced the elevators in collaboration with Sirimed Studio exclusively for the Autodrome.

TKE Italy General Manager (GM) Omar Riva said: 

“We are delighted that our new elevators at the Imola Circuit were inaugurated on the occasion of the 1000 Miglia race. It is a doubly special event, both for the fans and for the territory of Emilia-Romagna, since it came after weeks in which the local population had been put to the test by dramatic weather conditions. It is a signal — albeit a small one — of a restart.”

Riva was referring to a series of floods that devastated areas in and around the cities of Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Faenza, Ravenna and Rimini, in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, in May. The first floods occurred between May 2-3, killing two people. Additional severe floods took place on May 16–17, killing at least 15 people and displacing 50,000 others.^[2]

The two new elevators were officially opened to the public on June 13 when the historic race wound through the city of Imola past the Autodrome. They were custom-built as part of the recent modernization of the racetrack’s infrastructure, which featured a new footbridge over the circuit pits. Built by CON.AMI, a consortium of local entities from 23 municipalities, the footbridge forms a long, concrete axis, similar to the structure that existed until 2006 and intended to allow the public to easily move around the terrace. The elevators serve the new footbridge, allowing visitors to easily move between the press and race areas without passing through the paddock. “Formula 1 is always on the lookout for new spaces to be used as reception areas for VIP guests,” TKE Italy observed.  

With walls in “Ferrari red” glass, specially designed limited-edition “TKE for Imola” control panels and a total load capacity of 3 mT, the new elevators are unique elements that provide safe vertical mobility toward the grandstands and support optimal management of passenger flow, according TKE Italy. These elevators can transport up to 52 people per trip at a speed of 1 m/s and boast 10-in. TFT, or thin-film-transistor, multimedia displays for in-cabin messages.

The system consists of two electric, machine-room-less elevators traveling a distance of 5.7 m at 1 m/s and making two stops. One unit has:

• 1000-kg load capacity (13 persons)
• Cab dimensions of 1,450 X 1,500 X 2,400 mm (width X depth X height)
• Door dimensions of 1,000 X 2,100 (width X height)
• The other has:
• 2000-kg load capacity (26 persons)
• Cab dimensions of 2,200 X 1,800 X 2,300 (width X depth X height)
• Door dimensions of 1,300 X 2,200 (width X height) 

Riva said:

“We are proud to contribute to the redesign of the Autodrome, which represents the history of racing in Italy and continues to be a prestigious and modern venue, hosting events such as Formula 1, as well as the 1000 Miglia. Our contribution in terms of innovative vertical mobility solutions provides ever greater accessibility and inclusion at major sporting events. If we consider that, by 2035 there will be a 70% increase in travelers with reduced mobility or disabilities,[1] it becomes increasingly important to ensure that facilities are accessible and barrier-free, as well as offer more services to make their experiences comfortable.”

All the elevators’ electrical and control components are by TKE. They are outfitted with Wittur doors, with other mechanical parts provided by Corato, Italy-based TEKNO SMS s.r.l. 

Construction of the pedestrian walkway and elevators are not the only improvements on Con.Ami’s agenda for the Autodrome, TKE Italy observed. The consortium’s three-year plan envisions EUR450,000 (US$481,572) for acoustic improvements, a more “sustainable and accessible” grandstand area and a EUR2.5 million (US$2.67 million) refurbishment of the tower at the facility’s entrance. An initial feasibility study is underway on upgrades to the grandstand area, which could very well include additional vertical-transportation equipment. TKE Italy stands ready to assist.  

References

[1] 1000miglia.it/en/events/1000-miglia

[3] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Emilia-Romagna_floods

[2] Istat Estimates for Italy, Rapporto “Conoscere la disabilità” (Report “Getting to Know Disability”), 2019.