A system for controlling an elevator comprises a car door operation control system (10) for controlling movement of at least one car door (12), the car door operating control system (10) including an incremental encoder configured to provide a signal indicative of a travel distance of the car door (12) to the car door operating control system (10), and an elevator car control system (50) configured to obtain a primary Car Door Closed Signal from a car door safety switch of an elevator safety control system, said elevator car control system (50) configured to obtain a secondary Car Door Closed Signal (DFCM) independent of the primary Car Door Closed Signal based on the travel distance signal provided by the car door operation control system (10).