Cities, SI World 2/2019
CO2 and noise: Cable cars have the best energy and eco-balance
In the comparison of pollutant emissions from various modes of transport, cable cars perform best (see table below). This is due both to their technical
construction (the mass ratios and wind resistances offset one another) and to exceptionally energy-efficient drives.
As cable cars are operated by electrical current, they represent an opportunity to save fossil fuels, which means that they also reduce the CO2 emissions responsible for the greenhouse effect.
Very low noise pollution
A further, now increasingly significant, environmental aspect – including for the quality of life of the people concerned – is noise pollution. As the individual vehicles on cable cars do not require a separate motor but are rather moved by a central drive housed in the station, the gondolas run almost noiselessly along their route.
Moreover, because they require very little space, cable cars contribute to reducing surface sealing. Hence, cable cars cause little external impact on their environment. Compared with other modes of transport, cable cars therefore have the best energy and eco-balance.
Emissions in grams per passenger kilometre
- Pollutants Car Bus Metro/tram Railway Cable car
- Carbon monoxide 1.45 0.21 0.02 0.02 0.01
- Carbon dioxide 144 75 72 52 44
- Hydrocarbons 0,18 0,08 0,005 0,01 0,003
- Nitrogen oxide 0,29 0,83 0,07 0,07 0,04
- Particulates 0,009 0,017 0,003 0,001 0,002
- Petrol equivalent in litrest 6,2 3,3 3,9 2,7 2,4
Per passenger kilometre
The data come from the publication “Urban cable cars: Modern cable car systems open up new options for mobility in our cities” by Heiner Monheim et al. (2010, ksv-verlag). The cable car values refer to a tri-cable circulating track with a total capacity of 7,000 passengers per hour and direction at a speed of 21.6 km/h.. Source reference: Kremer according to Monheim et al. 2010
