The possibilities of aerial cableways for local passenger transport

Aerial cableways offer innovative, sustainable solutions for urban public transport and relieve the burden on existing systems.

Creating new connections: Innovative solutions for urban mobility

Mobility is one of the most important issues of our time. On the one hand, this concerns multimodal concepts for local public transport, which can be used to realise new connection points in urban and suburban areas. On the other hand, the means of transport used must be sustainable if a green transport transition is to succeed in Europe. While public transport networks are primarily thought of in terms of buses and trains, aerial cableways, with their ability to easily close gaps in the system, open up completely new opportunities for transport planners to relieve the burden on local public transport. The aim should be to significantly reduce journey times. At the same time, the cable car is a reliable means of transport that offers, among other things, low operating risks, simple network integration, fast and cost-efficient construction, a small ecological footprint, low land consumption, accessibility and a digital control system with autonomous operation.

New opportunities for urban mobility

So why have aerial cableways in Europe so far been used mainly in ski resorts and not more often in cities? The concerns often cited here are weather and wind-related operational disruptions that could lead to cancellations in the public transport network. Yet cable cars are based on a tried and tested, mature technology that has proven itself in over a hundred years of history in the extreme climatic conditions and terrain of the Alps. Added to this is the development of new systems that combine the simplicity of a monocable gondola lift with the power of a tricable system. In this way, high wind stability of up to 110 km/h can be achieved despite compact stations and components. The three-cable system consists of a hauling cable that moves the cabins and two suspension cables that form a wind-stable track. A trolley is used as the basis, with clamps gripping the rope from above to provide the necessary support, while the trolley rollers ensure low-friction smooth running. The simple rope guide minimises the forces involved in passing over the supports, resulting in low maintenance requirements. At the same time, the use of round tube supports ensures a small footprint on the ground and enables quick and easy installation. This means that cable car projects can be realised in just six to 18 months. In addition, a small footprint is required, as only the supports and the stations require space on the ground. Last but not least, these cable car systems offer long cable spans, which means that fewer supports are required. This makes them perfect for overcoming large obstacles - whether in alpine or urban areas.

But modern aerial tramways are also impressive when it comes to transport, as they can carry 8,000 people per hour and direction of travel. By adding additional cabins, their utilisation can be quickly adapted to current demand, reducing waiting times when transport demand is high. Compared to the average speed of road traffic, which is 21 km/h in Vienna, 18 km/h in Berlin and only 17 km/h in Stuttgart, a tricable gondola lift is significantly faster at 25.2 km/h. The respective cabins can accommodate up to 20 passengers and allow flexible management of passenger flows in the station area thanks to door concepts on both sides. In addition, there is a modular seating arrangement for precise customisation to the respective use and level boarding and alighting with electric doors for barrier-free access. This means that passengers with walking aids, pushchairs or bicycles can use the aerial tramway without any problems. Cable cars can also be operated autonomously: The system monitors passenger boarding and alighting and stops if necessary, which ensures safe and economical operation by saving on staff.

Why should the advantages and possibilities of a modern aerial cableway, which work wonderfully in the Alps, not be utilised in urban and suburban areas? While they have long been an important part of local public transport in Latin America, Central America and Asia, they are still considered exotic in Europe. Yet there are plenty of applications here too - whether it's overcoming large water and green spaces, multi-lane rail and road routes or the revitalisation of derelict urban areas. Thanks to its easy integration into existing public transport networks, the aerial tramway offers transport planners new application scenarios for better coordinating different means of transport. In this context, it can take on certain functions by extending existing transport networks, closing gaps in the system, providing localised relief or serving as a bridge.

Thanks to its small footprint on the ground, it can even be integrated into densely built-up neighbourhoods. The cable car supports are positioned where they fit best depending on the situation, while the urban space can continue to flow freely between them or be used as a meeting place. This means that less space is sealed and existing buildings are preserved. This also makes them independent of traffic on the ground: Their cabins simply float over traffic jams and congested roads and take passengers to their desired destination without any additional loss of time. In addition, the use of prefabricated elements for supports and stations optimises the construction process. This not only enables short completion times, but is also significantly more cost-effective than inner-city railway constructions, route extensions or new tunnel constructions. The cost ratio of cable cars to underground railways is now at least 1:10, and aerial cableways are almost noiseless. They therefore contribute to a better quality of life in the city.

The cable car as a sustainable means of transport

Another advantage of the cable car is its sustainability. According to estimates, 66 per cent of the world's population will live in cities by 2050. At the same time, the transport sector is responsible for almost a quarter of CO2 emissions worldwide, and the trend is rising. It is therefore urgent to create mobility that is sustainable thanks to its energy efficiency, low emissions and small ecological footprint - especially in urban and suburban areas. In this context, the cable car can score points with its low CO2 footprint. Thanks to its centralised electric drive, there are no local emissions such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) or particulate matter. By using renewable energy, the cable car is CO2--neutral. A scientific life cycle analysis carried out by Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with denkstatt GmbH shows that the cable car produces less than a quarter of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2eq) compared to other means of public transport.

And important for transport planners: there are now database-based CO2 calculators that can be used to transparently visualise the overall ecological impact of ropeway systems. Based on a functional unit, in which various mobility requirements such as necessary connections, required transport capacity, operating times and years of use are summarised, life cycle assessments can be created for ropeway systems and their impact on the respective mobility project can be quantified holistically across all life phases. However, the individual cable car stations can also contribute to a more sustainable infrastructure: for example, their green roofs ensure better air quality. The plants filter dust and pollutants from the air, provide new habitats for butterflies and insects and absorb ambient noise. At the same time, rainwater is retained, which relieves the burden on the sewage system during heavy rainfall events. In addition, a green roof helps to reduce both the temperature in the city centre and the internal temperature of the station building in summer. With an integrated photovoltaic system, the cable car station can even become an electricity generator, which, in conjunction with efficient energy storage systems, relieves the strain on the electrical power supply.

Ropeways for local transport in Germany and Europe

Although aerial tramways are still considered a novelty for urban and suburban public transport in Europe, there are already a number of projects that demonstrate how they can be integrated into public transport networks. One example is the Câble 1 (C1) project, which is currently being realised in the greater Paris area and is scheduled to go into operation in 2025. The cable car line planned there will run south-east of the centre of Paris over a total length of 4.5 kilometres and connect four municipalities in the Val-de-Marne department with a catchment area of around 20,000 inhabitants. The project is an example of the applications for which aerial tramways are suitable in local public transport and how they can optimise traffic management: The Câble 1 (C1) line, for example, runs for three quarters of its length along a regional road and parallel to a TGV railway line and the course of the River Marne. It creates new connections within the urban fabric by overcoming obstacles such as large railway tracks. With its five stations, it links various transverse metro, bus and regional railway lines and helps to relieve feeder traffic. At the same time, facilities such as hospitals and schools can be better integrated into the transport network.

The same applies to the Téléo cable car line in Toulouse, which crosses the Garonne river and the Pech David, a hill in the south of the city, over a length of three kilometres. It connects three important transport hubs with each other and enables connections to the existing metro and bus lines. This not only relieves traffic congestion, but also offers views of the Toulouse cityscape and the Pyrenees. In Germany, this has so far only been seen at the Federal Garden Shows in Koblenz or currently in Mannheim. There, a two-kilometre-long aerial cableway connects the Spinelli and Luisenpark exhibition grounds. It is powered by green electricity and consists partly of reused elements: The cabins and station components were already in use at the Dutch flower exhibition Floriade in Almere in 2022. And as in Almere, the roofs of the cable car in Mannheim are covered in greenery, making them a natural part of the Federal Horticultural Show. However, there are now also projects in Germany in which the cable car is being considered for urban and suburban public transport. One example is the city of Herne in the Ruhr region.

Sustainable transport spaces

If you want to create future-proof and sustainable mobility, you have to think in a networked way. Multimodal concepts are an important part of making local public transport more efficient and attractive. This is why a solution is needed for every application that can be integrated quickly and cost-effectively into the existing public transport network. With its ability to easily close gaps in the system, the aerial cableway offers new connectivity options and is significantly more sustainable and cost-effective than other means of transport. It makes the third dimension - a previously unused transport space - accessible and is therefore able to overcome obstacles with little effort and reduced land consumption. It is also based on proven technology with low operating risks and costs. Used correctly, it can relieve traffic congestion in urban and suburban areas and contribute to a green mobility transition.

Excursus: Project Herne in the Ruhr area

It is one of the most exciting conversion projects in the Ruhr region: the transformation of the former General Blumenthal colliery in Herne. An ‘International Technology World’ with space for companies, research, science and trades is to be created on an area of around 40 football pitches. The industrial wasteland, which has been sealed off by high walls for decades, is bordered to the north by a large IC railway station. The construction of a cable car is planned in order to link the new technology world to the city and to better connect the two districts of Wanne and Eickel to the north and south of the railway station. Herne is pursuing the Ruhr region's vision of becoming the ‘greenest industrial region in the world’: ‘We wanted a mobility solution with great appeal that is as climate-neutral as possible.

And we very quickly came up with the cable car. If it is powered by electricity from renewable energies, it is the most climate-friendly means of transport in the world,’ says Lord Mayor Dr Frank Dudda, explaining the decision. As part of the local public transport system with tram, S-Bahn and bus, the aerial cableway is intended to contribute to the multimodal linking of not only Herne, but the entire region. In addition, the multi-track railway lines of the IC railway station can be overcome without tunnelling - only two supports are required to fly over the area. Lord Mayor Dr Frank Dudda is convinced by the concept: ‘The cable car makes a direct and barrier-free connection possible while at the same time relieving road traffic. It overcomes an obstacle that was previously considered insurmountable.’
 

City Cable Car Solutions - Projects Doppelmayr Group
 

Find out more:

At INTERALPIN 2025, you will receive further information on the topic of city cable car solutions. Key players in the industry will also be presenting current and past projects in this area. Further information on the products and projects of Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH can be found under the following link: Doppelmayr Group.

Text source: @ Reinhard Fitz, Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH
Image source: @ Île-de-France Mobilités / Doppel France