UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The University of Southern California conducted a major modernization project of the elevators on campus. The University sought the help of ISES Corporation to formulate an approach to prioritize the elevators by need. ISES Corporation has provided various services for the University since 1989. This request led to the creation of the Vertical Transportation Planning Analysis. Combining a detailed elevator profile with lifecycle modeling, ISES developed a system of reports that detailed the elevators individually and allowed prioritization across campuses.

In a three-phase approach, ISES evaluated 187 elevator units in 90+ facilities on USC’s three main campuses, including University Park, Heath Science Campus, and the Housing Campus. ISES worked closely with University personnel to determine age, condition, previous renovations, and use of each unit. Elevators were broken down to component level to evaluate the extent of the elevators needs. The published reports were separated by building, with each unit having an individual profile, modernization cost allocation, priority, lifecycle model, and photographic log.

At the end of the evaluations, an Executive Summary was prepared showing prioritization of the elevator units across the campuses. The Executive Summary was used by USC to develop a planned approach to modernizing the units, and the individual reports were used to develop a specification for each unit modernized. Modernization of several units has since taken place, and the University is well on its way to having a modern, campus-wide Vertical Transportation Program.