What does "travel speed" indicate for an elevator?

Travel speed refers to how quickly the elevator moves between floors. It is a crucial performance parameter in elevator systems, typically measured in feet per minute or meters per second. Understanding travel speed is important because it directly impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of an elevator in responding to passenger demand. A higher travel speed can reduce wait times and improve overall service in taller buildings, making it a key consideration in elevator design and selection.

The other options, while related to elevator operation, do not define travel speed. The distance between floors is about physical space, weight capacity pertains to the maximum load an elevator can safely carry, and energy consumption relates to the efficiency and power usage of the elevator system. None of these directly convey the concept of how rapidly the elevator moves, which is why the correct choice is focused on the speed of movement between the floors.