The Best of the Best

As we move into a new year of ELEVATOR WORLD Middle East, I must first comment on the successful conclusion of last year. On November 15-16, 2018, Elevator World, Inc. and Liftinstituut Solutions B.V. held the inaugural International Elevator and Escalator Symposium (IEES) in Istanbul. The independent event was conceived as a way for the international elevator community to come together and share knowledge, while giving back to the industry through charitable donation to the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, whose mission is to promote safe practices to the riding public. Over the course of two days, industry experts presented 20 papers on the topics of “Safety in Vertical Transportation and New Technology” to an enthusiastic, engaged and very international crowd. The successful symposium was an excellent way for us to end an already exciting year. Read more about the event in IEES 2018 by Angela C. Baldwin and consider joining us in Las Vegas in 2019 for the second annual IEES.

This year begins with a celebration of the winners of the 2019 Project of the Year contest. We had more entries than ever before, and judging was difficult, as there were only top-level entries in every category. We highlight the nine winners in this issue, and you will see that the projects span the world, from London to Al-Rai, Kuwait, from Bran, Romania, to New York. This issue’s cover is just a sample of the “best of the best” involved in this year’s contest. Congratulations to all the companies that provided entries. Readers will see all entries published sometime during the year, either in the magazine or our website, www.elevatorworld.com.

In this issue, which will have bonus distribution at Asansor Istanbul, we focus on the topic of safety, for both the field and riding public. In A Synthesis of Technology and Culture, Otis’ Tony Black describes how the company is integrating proprietary apps to promote mechanic safety. PESSRA in Lifts and Escalators – An Overview, written by Lakshmanan Raja and Teck Eng Ng, provides a quick guide for elevator and escalator field professionals on these important electronic devices. NDC Elevator Drives’ Rick Hesketh explains why rolling the dice on repair quality is a risky bet in The Danger of Competitive Pressure. KEB’s Dalen Miller discusses Functional Safety and STO in Elevator Drives, explaining that the latest codes allow SIL 3-rated devices to replace motor contactors. Toshiba’s photoelectric sensors for preventing people from being caught between or pulled by doors is explained in Door Safety Function for Elevator Using Video Analysis.

Also, in this issue, you will find coverage of the 2018 CTBUH International Conference held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and the Dubai Connecting People 2018 event, organized by eight Italian companies.

We hope you find value in this issue. If you don’t see what you are looking for in this publication, then contact us with your ideas. We are eager for you to communicate with us on what is happening in your company and with your projects.

Best Regards