Various embodiments are directed to an elevator positioning system, comprising: a transceiver disposed within an elevator shaft; a first positioning element; a second positioning element; and a controller communicably coupled to the transceiver, wherein the controller is configured to: determine a first distance between the transceiver and the first positioning element; determine a calibration distance between the transceiver and the second positioning element based at least in part on a second reflection detected by the transceiver from the second positioning element at a first instance; based at least in part on the first distance and the calibration distance, calculate an adjusted elevator car position defined at least in part by a shaft displacement compensation distance; and cause an elevator car to move about a vertical axis of the elevator shaft to a vertical position within the elevator shaft that corresponds at least in part to the adjusted elevator car position.