Methods and systems for determining elevator car locations are provided. Aspects includes operating, by a processor, a sensor to obtain tag data from a tag within a range of the sensor, wherein the tag is affixed to at least one landing of a plurality of landings in a hoistway of a building, wherein the sensor is affixed to a moving component of an elevator car operating in the hoistway of the building and analyzing the tag data to determine a position of the elevator car in the hoistway of the building.