HDB is looking at two possible solutions to provide direct lift access to more households, said the Ministry of National Development (MND) and reported in the media.
The Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator and Vertical Platform Lift are currently being constructed and expected to be completed by end of 2014. The Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator utilises air suction to move the lift car vertically, while the Vertical Platform Lift utilises a simple belt-driven system to move the platform up and down.
While the speed of the lifts is slower compared to the current lift system, both cost less to install.
Before considering their sustainability, MND plans to test the two types of lifts at non-residential sites – a commercial block and a multi-storey carpark – to vague its technical feasibility and see if they are acceptable to residents, particularly the disabled and the elderly.
The statement was made in Parliament yesterday in a written reply to a query on the solutions to bring direct lift access to residential sites not eligible for the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP).
Notably, some low-rise blocks as well as those with severe site constraints are not qualified for LUP. To date, there are around 200 of such blocks, most of which have few benefitting units to share the LUP cost.
When asked if there will be an LUP Exercise specifically to bring direct lift access to the said 200 blocks, MND said, “There will likely still be blocks which are unsuitable for the new lift solutions and cannot enjoy the direct lift access with current technology. HDB will continue to explore other measures to improve direct lift access for residents in these blocks.”
Image source: HDB
Muneerah Bee, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories email muneerah@propertyguru.com.sg
