The BMVI is investigating urban cable car projects with Drees & Sommer and the VWI

The topic of cable cars in public transportation is slowly gaining momentum. The results of the study will lead to the creation of a guideline for the "realization of cable cars as part of public transportation (ÖPNV)," which is expected to be available in two years.

"With the study and guideline, we aim to create incentives to promote sustainable mobility in urban areas and to usefully complement the public transportation system," explains Steffen Bilger, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport, and adds:

"Our goal is to create a national standard for urban cable cars in Germany that cities and municipalities can rely on."

Despite the "remarkable successes and proven advantages" of cable cars in many metropolises worldwide, there is "little experience with cable car systems in urban areas" in Germany, according to the performance description of the BMVI.

Therefore, examining the cable cars in the cities of Medellín, La Paz, New York, Portland, Algiers, Lisbon, Brest, Bolzano, London, and Ankara is part of the joint study by Drees & Sommer and VWI. The focus of the analysis of the eight case examples includes the purpose of using the cable car, the planning process, urban integration, connection with other public transportation, and the impact on traffic. Insights for possible cable car projects in Germany are to be derived from this.

"In the analysis, of course, the sometimes large social and political differences compared to Germany must be considered," explains Sebastian Beck, infrastructure expert at Drees & Sommer and project manager for the study. However, Beck is convinced:

"Cable cars as a complement to existing public transportation will be an indispensable option in the future, especially as traffic in cities and metropolitan areas increasingly reaches its limits."

Unbeatable in cost-benefit comparison

His colleague Stefan Tritschler from VWI and deputy project manager of the study agrees:

"Traffic jams, air pollution, traffic noise, land consumption, and traffic accidents force us to reduce existing burdens. Cable cars use the airspace largely independent of other traffic, are technically mature, and generate hardly any emissions on-site. But most importantly, they are quiet, safe, efficient, and comparatively quick to implement."

Still little practical experience with urban cable car systems in Germany

Aside from aerial cable cars in the mountains, cable cars in German cities exist only in Berlin, Koblenz, and Cologne, which were built for the Federal Garden Show. However, there are many considerations and variously advanced plans for constructing cable car systems as a complement to existing public transportation in cities such as Berlin, Bonn, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Munich, Stuttgart, or Wuppertal. But the planning process is challenging, as Drees & Sommer expert Sebastian Beck admits:

"Cable cars represent a relatively new mode of transport for public transport operators and political decision-makers, requiring different, sometimes more demanding requirements in planning, communication, and implementation than previously common transport modes."

According to Stefan Tritschler, this is evident when it comes to overflight rights. The fact that cable cars would also fly over residential buildings often meets resistance from residents.

"The so-called 'Not-In-My-Backyard syndrome,' known here as the St. Florian principle, applies to most transportation and infrastructure projects and is also evident in cable car projects. Many people are convinced of the advantages of an urban cable car system, but no one wants it to pass directly by their home or bedroom window."

Koblenz: No longer without the cable car!

Experience shows that once the cable car becomes part of public transportation, public acceptance quickly increases. An example of how well the gondolas are received is Koblenz. Built for the 2011 Federal Garden Show, the cable car there was supposed to be dismantled long ago. However, a citizen initiative in Koblenz advocated for its retention. Drees & Sommer supported the client in the competition and selection process.

For this reason, Sebastian Beck believes that citizen support is the crucial success criterion and knows:

"Although often highly controversial in advance, people do not want to miss their cable car once it is implemented."

To prevent the cable car project from failing in the minds of the affected citizens, a transparent process is crucial:

“If the cable car is to become part of public transportation in Germany, it is absolutely necessary to involve the population from the very beginning. Only those who seek dialogue and communicate proactively can consider and dispel people's concerns.”

The working group Drees & Sommer/VWI will also conduct workshops in several German cities for the creation of the guidelines. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, these are expected to take place digitally this year. Sebastian Beck has not yet revealed which cities these will be. “We are currently still at the beginning and will contact the selected cities in the coming weeks.”

What does this mean?

Cable cars offer significant advantages in public transportation, especially in terms of cost-benefit analysis. For public transportation users, a gondola could also be much more attractive than a bus, tram, or subway. The problem is always the properties over which the gondolas float all day long. If this problem can be managed, there would be nothing standing in the way of cable cars in public transportation in Germany. It remains to be seen what conclusions the investigation will ultimately come to.