Implementing Floor Restrictions for Elevators in FlexSim HC

[amyhyolee]

[ FlexSim 21.2.4 ]

I want to set floor restrictions for elevators in FlexSim HC.I've seen other posts saying it might not be possible, but just in case, I'm asking again.

For example,Elevator 1: Boarding and alighting only on odd-numbered floors.Elevator 2: Boarding and alighting only on the 1st floor and even-numbered floors.Elevator 3: Boarding and alighting only on the 1st floor and high floors (6th to 10th floor).Elevator 4: Boarding and alighting only on low floors (1st to 10th floor).

[moehlmann_fe]

Below is a link to pretty much this exact question with a lengthy comment chain discussing possible solutions for this.

https://answers.flexsim.com/questions/156976/flexsim-hc-for-patient-flow.html

[amyhyolee]

Hello @Felix Möhlmann,

While reading the post you shared, I had a question, so I'm leaving a comment. You mentioned that you can use a list to restrict access to specific floors, and I'm curious how you can implement this using a list.

[moehlmann_fe]

It's demonstrated in the model that is attached to various comments in the linked post.

In general the model restricts which elevator a traveler can use by placing barriers in front of each elevator. These barriers only allow traveller with the correct "AssignedElevator" label to pass (see conditional rules of the A* navigator).

Which elevator this is, is decided by a token that pulls an elevator that services both the origin and destination floor from a list. As described in the screenshot you posted, the serviced floors are stored in an array label on the elevator bank. Both the origin and target floor number must be part of this array for the elevator to be eligible to pulled. This is checked in the "Reaches Floors" list field.

[amyhyolee]

@Felix Möhlmann ,

I'm trying to use barriers in front of each elevator to restrict certain floors.

However, it doesn't work in my model. Is there a rule to place barrier in front of the model?

[moehlmann_fe]

They must be placed in a way that it's not possible to reach the elevator without going through the barrier. And the traveller must be allowed to cross at least on of them so there is an eligible path to the destination.

If you currently can't open the model from the other post you can always download the current version of FlexSim and use it without a license to open the model and check how it works.

[amyhyolee]

@Felix Möhlmann , Thank you for your answer.

My model can't recognize the barrier and not sure why.

I placed barrier in front of the elevator. Can you help me so that it works?

elevator_barrier.fsm

[moehlmann_fe]

That model still has the wrongly named A* navigator from you previous question. I assume that might have something to do with it.

https://answers.flexsim.com/questions/163876/astarnavigator-question.html?childToView=163886#answer-...

Overall I would suggest you first try to build everything you need for your on a small scale (only a few smaller floors for testing). This will be much easier to debug and validate the logic. Once you are confident that everything is working correctly you can scale the model up.

While this might seem like 'starting over' I believe that in the end you will end up with a working model faster than if you go forward with this current version and try to add additional logic to it.

[amyhyolee]

@Felix Möhlmann,

I'm in the process of creating a new simulation as you suggested. However, even when I add barrier in the new model, the elevator continues to operate on floors with barriers.

practice_v2.0.fsm

[moehlmann_fe]

- The barrier is (I don't know why) not an A* member.

- The barrier is not on the same z-level as the A*grid.

- This technique really only functions if you block the entire elevator bank. Blocking individual elevators of one bank is not going to work, sadly.

[amyhyolee]

@Felix Möhlmann,

The barrier is functioning correctly. By having two ElevatorBanks, I ensured that only one elevator is blocked by the barrier. However, with this setup, even if elevator 1 is on that floor, staff wait for elevator 2 and then board it. (This occurs around 115 seconds on the 1st floor)

practice_v7.0_2elevator.fsm

How can I fix this?

[Jeanette_Fullmer]

Hi @Amy , was Felix Möhlmann's answer helpful? If so, please click the "Accept" button at the bottom of their answer. Or if you still have questions, add a comment and we'll continue the conversation.

If we haven't heard back from you within 3 business days we'll auto-accept an answer, but you can always comment back to reopen your question.