Abstract: The present invention is directed to assigning an elevator car in response to a hall call, based on a series of bonuses and penalties and remaining response time, defined herein as an estimation of the amount of time required for an elevator car to reach the floor at which the hall call is registered, given the car calls and hall calls to which the elevator car is committed. Upon the registration of a hall call, a relative system response (RSR) value for each elevator car is determined based on a series of bonuses and penalties. Additionally, a remaining response time (RRT) value for each car is determined. The RRT value of the elevator car having the most favorable RSR value is compared with the RRT value of the elevator car having the lowest RRT value. Based on this comparison, one of the two elevator cars will be assigned to service the hall call.