CITIES

Urban cable cars are an increasingly common topic in research and science. The book “Innovation Seilbahn” (Innovation Cable Car) by Frieder Kremer is one example of this. In it, the urban and regional planner has written – among other things – about transport technology optimisation and the application possibilities of cable cars or in a nutshell: when does an urban cable car actually make sense? The following is an extract from his publication with a few editorial amendments (TU Berlin 2015: pp. 36 – 40).

The artist Christoph Niemann presents his theory on how to bring people from their cars to public transport.

The costs of a cable car system comprise investment costs on the one hand and operating costs on the other. The total of these costs depends on the various parameters. Urban planner Frieder Kremer has collated these conditions in his book, “Innovation Seilbahn” (Innovation Cable Car). The following is an extract from his publication with a few editorial amendments (TU Berlin 2015: pp. 41 – 43).

Discussion about whether cable cars should be used in cities as part of the change in transport to contribute to climate protection, as can already been seen in a number of cities in Latin America (e.g. La Paz) or even in Cologne in Germany, raises the question of procurement law.

Whether communication, security, advertising or customer retention: There are many reasons to make an urban cable car into a digital system. Increasingly, these are about extending system-critical communication between passengers and staff through entertainment provisions.

According to Aachen technical university (Germany), a combination of cable car and autonomously driven electric bus will revolutionise local transport. The existing technology simply needs to be cleverly combined. This also includes a system from space.

UN-Habitat and ropeways builder DOPPELMAYR extended their cooperation in the spring of this year. The aim of this collaboration is the continuous expansion of sound knowledge, sharing of information and the provision of skills in the field of transport.

All over the world, cable cars are being brought into play as the perfect solution to urban mobility crises, generally promoted by highly specialised consulting and engineering companies. Feasibility studies in almost endless numbers usually – and unsurprisingly – conclude that a cable car is technically feasible and can also be financed under certain framework conditions. But why are only few studies actually implemented? ILF Consulting Engineers, project developer for urban cable car projects, has examined this question.

The dream of a responsible citizen who cares about the cleanliness of his city, or a visitor who shows consideration for the beauty of the host town, is still alive. But it is just not visible in daily life. Technology is needed to help us keep our public space attractive and hygienic. ZAUGG has newly defined such technology with its Steambeast.

Unlike other South American countries, Paraguay does not yet have an urban cable car. However, corresponding projects are under discussion both in the capital, Asunción, and in the border city of Encarnación.

Commuters from two Indian suburbs have every reason to be happy, as their route to work should be made easier by the construction of cable car systems. Residents had already previously demanded a solution to their daily mobility problem.

In addition to the current plans for the Skytrain cable car in Cologne, the thinking in the major German city is on a much larger scale. Voter group “GUT Köln” is proposing a cable car network that winds its way through the entire city. This ambitious vision is called “Rheinpendel” (Rhine commute).