CIBSE has officially launched the Society of Vertical Transportation (SoVT), a new international professional community dedicated to advancing knowledge, skills and innovation across lifts, escalators and emerging mobility systems.
Building on the legacy of the long-standing CIBSE Lifts Group, the SoVT establishes a formal structure for professional membership, specialist continuing professional development (CPD), collaboration and global engagement.
For more than three decades, the Lifts Group has supported technical excellence in vertical transportation, and this evolution marks a new stage in its development.
The launch aligns with the publication of the CIBSE Guide D 2025 – Transportation Systems in Buildings, an internationally recognised reference for vertical transportation specialists.
The updated guide covers passenger and goods lifts, escalators, moving walks, lifting platforms, and new technologies, providing practical advice on design, installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance.
The 2025 edition introduces a new modular, multi-part format aimed at improving usability and clarity. It offers detailed guidance on interior circulation, inclusive design, human factors, traffic planning and system optimisation.
Technical content extends to components, controls, drive technologies, energy efficiency, environmental performance and accessibility, all aligned with UK legislation and international best practice.
“The Lifts Group has for the last 30 years been the backbone supporting CIBSE Guide D,” said Michael Bottomley, Chair of SoVT.
“Now the guide proudly bears the name and logo of the Society of Vertical Transportation.”
Bottomley said the Society’s goal is to position itself as a global hub for vertical transportation technology and education, adding that through CPD seminars and international engagement, it intends to provide education, mentoring and support for professionals throughout their careers.
The Society of Vertical Transportation provides pathways to recognition and professional development for all roles involved in moving people through buildings.
Acting as a hub for collaboration within the global built environment, the SoVT reinforces CIBSE’s commitment to promoting continuous improvement, knowledge exchange and technical excellence in vertical transportation.