Work

Assessing Comfort and Safety in Use of Elevators’ Human–Machine Interaction Devices

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Elevators are essential for accessibility and play a key role in a building’s functionality. Normally mass-produced and purchased from catalogs, elevators require thoughtful integration into architectural design to meet ergonomic, aesthetic, and safety standards. Proper design ensures accessibility, comfort, and efficiency for all users. Internal elements, such as the control panel, influence the user experience within the cabin and should be designed for ease of use, particularly for individuals with disabilities. Two experiments were conducted in a static elevator cabin, installed at the University of Bologna to evaluate user interaction. The first experiment assessed user preferences for different control panel layouts, while the second experiment tested emergency procedures, comparing the standard long-press with a double-press method. Both procedures were also tested with participants with hearing impairments to explore accessibility perceptions among disabled users. An urgent need for an alternative emergency procedure, including a double press to initiate the call and a video–textual device for visual–written communication, was identified to ensure both comfort and safety in elevator use.

Source: Buildings

DOI: 10.3390/buildings15050709

Authors: Giovanni Perrucci, Marco Costa, Elena Giacomello, Dario Trabucco

Institutions: Università Iuav di Venezia, University of Bologna

Language: English

Topic: Usability and User Interface Design

Subfield: Human-Computer Interaction

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137