On lifts (elevators) I wonder how the logic of priority is set.?

Question

I notice in the building where I live (I am on the 15th floor of an 18-floor apartment with two lifts) that it's not always the nearer car to my floor that responds. In the morning at around 6am when I am always as i observe the first to use it, I mostly find the two cars idle at different floors and I will guess the closer one will come but not always. Is this a kind of power conservation or what?

Answer 1

It depends on the person that programmed the controller but also you don't know if someone is holding the doors of the closer lift.

The main thing that may have happened is that someone called it and so when they get in its going to where they want (probably down). That person may have even gone before they get in but the controller saw you later and so assigned the later lift. Is is unlikely that it will be programmed to change.

Answer 2

I don't think it would be power consevation.  My guess would be trying to keep a car in a preferred ready position.