Abstract: A system and method for optimally allocating elevator cars of an elevator group to serve downpeak traffic. The system monitors a "snap shot" of pending down hall calls and forms groups based upon an initialized floor separation value or response range. If the number of groups formed is greater than the number of available elevator cars in the elevator group, the system increments the floor separation value by "+1" and regroups the "snap-shot" of pending down hall calls. This procedure may be repeated until the number of formed groups is equal to or less than the number of allocable elevator cars. The system may then allocate each formed group to a respective available elevator car to serve the downpeak traffic.