Lift Efficiency Calculator
Check how well a building's lifts actually serve its residents using the PLAI (Passenger Lift Adequacy Index).
Formula & ratings by Pankaj Panigrahi — read the full analysis of West Hyderabad societies on his blog.
Count the passenger lifts in the tower — don't include service or goods lifts.
Look for the capacity plate inside the lift — it usually says something like '13 persons'.
Check the lift specifications or ask the builder. Most mid-range lifts run at 1–2 m/s.
Count only the residential floors — skip basement, ground floor, and parking decks.
Pick a typical floor — most floors in the tower should have this many apartments.
What does each rating mean?
Lifts are generous and responsive even at peak hours
Adequate for comfort with occasional wait during rush times
Functional but queues likely in high-traffic periods
Frequent waiting, especially at morning/evening peaks
Under-served lift capacity for tower size and population