A brake assembly for an elevator system is provided and includes a guide rail configured to guide movement of an elevator car. Also included is a safety brake operatively coupled to the elevator car and having a brake surface configured to frictionally engage the guide rail. Further included is a safety brake actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the safety brake and configured to actuate the safety brake to a braking position. The mechanism includes a first sensing device disposed on a first side of the guide rail to detect a first condition reading of the elevator car relative to the guide rail. The mechanism also includes a second sensing device disposed on a second, opposite side of the guide rail to detect a second condition reading of the elevator car relative to the guide rail, the first and second condition readings collectively analyzed to determine an overall condition reading.