Urban Cable Propelled Transit Systems High Flying Solution to Urban Transport Problems? Photo by : http://creativeurbanprojects.com/, http://gondolaproject.com/ October 22d 2011 / Dr. Jürgen Perschon / EURIST EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 1
Agenda 1. History & Definition 2. Systems Characteristics 3. Example Medellin, Colombia 4. Example Caracas, Venezuela 5. Outlook & Conclusion Photosource: Johannes Geisler EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 2
1. History & Definition of UCPT Systems Funicular Railways 1831-1834: development of steel cable by German Wilhelm Albert Development mainly focused on funicular railways 1873: First Cable Car Line in San Francisco Aerial Ropeways 1869: Introduction of the English System (Monocable) 1872: Introduction of the German System (Bicable) 1900: Introduction for passenger transportation 1920: Break-through of the car slowed down aerial ropeway use in cities EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 3
1. History & Definition of UCPT Systems Cable-Propelled Transit (CPT) is a transit technology that moves people (or goods) in motor-less, engine-less vehicles that are propelled by a steel cable Quoted from: http://creativeurbanprojects.com/, http://gondolaproject.com/ Ropeways Railways Aerial Tramways Funiculars (Cable Car) Gondolas, Ski- Lifts Inclined Rail EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 4
1. History & Definition of UCPT Systems As a solution to urban transport problems??? EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 5
2. Systems Characteristics Technical Systems: Monocable/Bicable/Tricable Costs vary (2-15 Mio USD per km) Costs upto 2/3 less than other systems Operating Systems: Reversible Continuous EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 6
2. Systems Characteristics Independent from existing infrastructure and traffic Low space requirements along the route Tram capacity (up to 6000 pphpd) System Length up to 10km possible High energy efficiency (electricity, can be run CO2 free) Continuous operating system High Speed (>30kmh) Low emissions Low noise High Reliability (near 100%) Photo by : http://creativeurbanprojects.com/, http://gondolaproject.com/ EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 7
2. Systems Characteristics High Availibility (near 100%, usually 20h/day, 365 days/year) Little need for urban space Accessible for pedestrians, handicapped persons, cyclists Safe (windstability up to 100kmh) Bridges obstacles (rivers, highways, steep terrains, traffic ) Improves social and economic development (reduce crime ) Stations could be integrated into existing buildings Low costs (implementation and operation) Quick implementation (1/3rd the time of other systems) Can be operated without subsidies (no drivers, lowcost - maintenance) EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 8
2. Systems Characteristics Emission of Particulates (gramm/person-km) Source: Rudolph, Katharina A.: Anwendungsfälle und Lösungsansätze zur Realisierung urbaner Luftseilbahnprojekte im ÖPNV. Institut für Transportwirtschaft und Logistik, WU Vienna 2009 EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 9
2. Systems Characteristics CO2- Emissions / Compared with busses: Reduction of 50% A conservative comparison of the CO2- Emissions for the 5 planned UCPTs in Algeria with the CO2-Emissions of the buses used to achieve the same transportation capacity shows a reduction of more than 50%. Source: Peter Baumann: The Importance of Ropeways in Urban Transportation, Garaventa AG 2009 EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 10
2. Systems Characteristics Integrative part of urban public transport Source: Peter Baumann: The Importance of Ropeways in Urban Transportation, Garaventa AG 2009 EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 11
3.. Example Medellin, Colombia Source: Peter Baumann: The Importance of Ropeways in Urban Transportation, Garaventa AG 2009 EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 12
3. Example Medellin, Colombia 2006 implemented by the City Council Complementary transportation service to Medellin s Metro System Designed to reach some of the least developed suburban areas 2010: Three lines operating Photo by : http://creativeurbanprojects.com/, http://gondolaproject.com/ EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 13
3. Example Medellin, Colombia Crime rates dropped down Jobs have increased by 300% Banks have opened along the Metrocable Saves 20 000 tons CO2/year Receives great enthusiasm of local population EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 14
4. Example Caracas, Venezuela Photo by : http://creativeurbanprojects.com/, http://gondolaproject.com/ EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 15
4. Example Caracas, Venezuela Geographical Location: Mountains surrounding Caracas 600 Steps 45 Min walk / Narrow and steep pathways Isolation through the city highways No access to public transport Low income High crime rates Lack of sanitary-, health care- and social infrastructure Traffic congestions EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 16
4. Example Caracas, Venezuela 2003: the Urban Think Tank (UTT) organized a symposium at the Caracas University to protest against the road building and presented the concept for a cable-car for San Augustin Realisation of MetroCable with support of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Austrian UCPT manufacturer Doppelmayr and other stakeholders 2007: Beginn of construction opening 20.01.2010 2 terminals + 3 intermediate stations Fully integrated into the metro system Ticket Price: 50 cent (ticket integration) 2,2 km length Capacity of 1.200 pphpd Costs: (13 Mio /km) Photo by: http://creativeurbanprojects.com/, http://gondolaproject.com/ EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 17
4. Example Caracas, Venezuela - Provides transit to underserviced barrios with a history of crime and poverty - First system in the world to feature extreme 90 degree turning radii at stations Stations include social facilities such as gymnasiums, police stations, community centres and markets EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 18
4. Example Caracas, Venezuela VIDEO https://www.dropbox.com/s/2htvnfql7h454k3 (Caracas) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwnzpljbpt8 (Medellin) EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 19
5. Conclusion & Outlook Upcoming UCPTs Rio de Janeiro Caracas (8 additional) Panama Cali (Colombia) Ordu (Turkey) Tiflis (Georgia) Toronto (Canada) Hamburg (Germany)? Diagram (Map) by: www.creativeurbanprojects.com/ www.gondolaproject.com/ CARACAS EXPANSION PLANS EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 20
5. Conclusion & Outlook UCPT to come out of being a niche system because Potential to close missing links Potential as feeder system for MRT Stand alone PT system in smaller cities and hilly areas Increases attractiveness of city and of PT system (tourism) Competitive advantages to other PT systems EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 21
5. Conclusion & Outlook For this UCPT needs to improve flexibility of UCCS (length, curves, number of stations) to integrate in urban design (urban aestethics) to improve accessibility of stations to integrate UCPT in existing public transport networks to increase awareness, transfer knowledge and improve image among both politicians, archites, transport planners and the public (seriousness of system/psychological barrier/knowledge gap) assure inclusion in Universities or Technical High Schools curricula ("Ropeways simply do not exist ) remove concerns about safety or intrusion into privacy EURIST www.eurist.info info@eurist.info 22
Thank you for your attention Thanks to Creative Urban Projects & The Gondola Project for the use of their work http://creativeurbanprojects.com/, http://gondolaproject.com/ Weidenbaumsweg 13-15 21029 Hamburg / Germany Tel: +49-(0)40-53278740 Email: Info@eurist.info www.eurist.info