I think rather than a sideways elevator, they should make one that runs on an electrified track without a cable or counterweight. Just a motor that runs on a c

I think rather than a sideways elevator, they should make one that runs on an electrified track without a cable or counterweight. Just a motor that runs on a cog or something. You could then have multiple elevators on the same shaft, going the same direction. Then at a couple places, have switches that go sideways to the other track, just like a train. So for instance you could have 10 elevators going up and 10 going down, using 2 tracks. With switches at the bottom, top, and middle. After someone is dropped off, the elevator moves to the down track until called. You could fit way more elevators and have more floor space for real estate. Plus you could harvest the electricity going down instead of burning it on the brakes. It would just need a really good safety to guarantee it won't plummet in a motor/power/computer failure.