#urbangondola

Nov 11, 2015
Thoughts, Urban Planning & Design

The Transit Geek’s Assumption

I think it fair to say most transit geeks/advocates/aficionados/whatever start from the following rational, central assumption: The role of transit is to move as many people as quickly, cost-effectively and comfortably as possible. Obviously some might favor one aspect of that assumption more so than others. Jarrett Walker, for example, would favor speed over all...

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Nov 04, 2015
Light Rail & Streetcars

The Netherlands’ Randstadrail

Architects and urban designers may be no fans of elevated transport infrastructure and fair enough. Rarely is the overhead viaduct, rail bridge or elevated freeway a contributor to the urban form. Typically, they sap the very life out of the surrounding area. Notwithstanding that argument, however, is the fact that tunnelling is remarkably more expensive...

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Oct 13, 2015
Design Considerations, Urban Planning & Design

The 10 Most Beautiful Examples of Elevated Transport Infrastructure – Part 2

As I said yesterday, elevated transport infrastructure don’t get no love. In this, the second of two posts, we wrap up our list of the 10 most beautiful examples of elevated public transport infrastructure from around the world. ANY CHARACTER HERE   5. Station Square, Forest Hills Gardens – Queens, New York ANY CHARACTER HERE...

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Oct 09, 2015
Design Considerations

The 10 Most Beautiful Examples Of Elevated Transport Infrastructure – Part 1

Elevated transport infrastructure don’t get no love. Architects and urban designers decry their ugliness and their ability to rip apart neighbourhoods and very few people are willing to step up and argue against that point. But to prove that elevated infrastructure isn’t always the city killer critics claim, we asked readers of The Gondola Project...

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Oct 07, 2015
Cable Transit Industry, High Speed Rail, Safety, Thoughts

Public Transit: Safety Should Never Be Compromised

Note: this is a repost from an original article in 2012. Last week, guest blogger Ryan O’Connor, wrote a brief analysis on the state of HSR (high speed rail) and the potential implications and lessons cable can learn from China’s recent love affair with rail. If you haven’t been keeping up-to-date with transportation news in...

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Oct 05, 2015
Analysis, Caracas Metrocable, Caracas Mount Avila, Gondola, History, Medellin MetroCable, Urban Planning & Design

Medellin/Caracas, Part 1

HISTORY Modern Cable Propelled Transit started in Caracas, Venezuela with the Mount Avila Gondola. This system was originally built in the middle of the last century to carry people from Caracas to the top of Mount Avila where the luxurious Hotel Humboldt had been built. Political and economic strife caused the government to leave for...

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Sep 08, 2015
Urban Planning & Design

Reviewing Good Advice: Low Profile Urban Gondolas

This piece was first published on The Gondola Project in 2010 but it is still highly relevant and useful. It’s about keeping your head low to the ground being unobtrusive; useful advice from a Canadian. There’s a story about Cable Propelled Transit, Aerial Ropeways and Urban Gondolas that only hurts the technology’s future. Unfortunately, the...

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Jan 14, 2014
Uncategorized

Gondola Project in The Toronto Star

Dear Torontonians: You might have seen today in the Toronto Star a story about our work. The story featured an interview with myself, Steven Dale, the Founder of The Gondola Project. Typically, such press causes The Gondola Project to experience a rather large surge in traffic from whatever given geographic region is discussing the idea. As...

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Feb 27, 2012
Questions, Research Issues

Asking About Urban Gondola Transit

Recently we’ve been receiving a lot of email requests for details about gondola and cable car transit technology. Often, the requests have been coming from university students asking for help with assigned projects. The pace of requests have only increased since my recent talk with the Alberta Professional Planners Institute and a proposal for a...

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Oct 21, 2011
Weekly Roundup

Weekly Roundup: Irish Cows Banned From Riding Dursey Island Cable Car

A few highlights from around the world of Urban Gondolas, Gondola Transit, and Cable Propelled Transit: Cattle farmers on the remote Dursey Island in Ireland are concerned that a weight restriction on the Dursey Island Cable Car will prevent them from moving their livestock to and from the island, effectively destroying a 2,000 year old...

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