High speed elevators (>8m/s) are technically interesting, and quite different from normal elevators. Some of their features:

- direct drive motors (gearless)
- double wall construction for soundproofing
- aerodynamic fairings at top and bottom to reduce wind noise
- ceramic brake shoes to cope with high kinetic energy (which increases as a square function of velocity)
- sealed doors
- various vibration-reducing devices

The current fastest elevator, Toshiba's 1010m/min model in the 509m tall Taipei 101 building, is the first to feature an atmospheric pressure control system, a feature I would have welcomed when I rode Mitsubishi's 750m/min then-fastest version in the Yokohama Landmark tower. Something tells me I wouldn't enjoy a ride down WHBM's mine shaft!

In case of failure, the Taipei 101's elevators have an oil damper with a 6m stroke, capable of handling a cab descending at the full 600m/min rate; 4m stroke in the Landmark tower.


At the other end of the scale, I recall the janitor's fully manual and jealously guarded elevator in my New England high school dorm