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Jan 14, 2016
Analysis, Hamilton, Research Issues, Urban Planning & Design

Hamilton Gondola — We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know

NOTE: An earlier version of this post originally appeared on December 4th, 2009 (yup, that’s over 7 years ago, kids). At that time, the report “City of Hamilton Higher Order Transit Network Strategy” was available online. Unfortunately, it is no longer available.  Sometimes we don’t know what we don’t know and that’s really nobody’s fault....

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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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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 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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Sep 02, 2015
Urban Planning & Design

What Drunken Bicycling Means For Transit Planners

Last week I had the good fortune to be in Madrid for one of my oldest, dearest friend’s bachelor party. Suffice it to say, hosting a bachelor party in Madrid—with its notoriously raucous nightlife—is roughly equivalent to putting Kanye West on stage at the MTV VMAs. Bizarre things are going to happen. Our evening began...

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Jul 13, 2015
Public Transit, Questions, Research & Development, Thoughts, Urban Planning & Design

Private Gondola Transport: A Sign of Things to Come?

Ropeways are built for many reasons: skiing, sightseeing, amusement, public transport, and private transport. Yes, that’s right private transport. It’s actually more common than you might think. We’ve reported examples on the Gondola project before – like the Kriens funicular, Terra del Mar funicular, and of course, some of the rich and famous have their...

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Jan 28, 2015
Thoughts, Urban Planning & Design

La Paz Announces 6 New Cable Car Transit Lines, Leaves Developed World in the Past

Forgive the pun, but with yesterday’s announcement of six new cable transit lines for La Paz, Bolivia, the developing world continues to show that it is actually capable of developing new transportation projects, whereas the developed world seems to be capable of little more than resting on the laurels of what was developed generations ago.  Consider the Bolivian situation:...

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Jan 20, 2015
Thoughts, Urban Planning & Design

Is Your (Gondola) Project Successful?

Who knows. I certainly don’t. It’s a question we get all the time. Is such-and-such a project a success? Is it going to be a success? Why was this project a success? Why was that project a failure? Again: Who knows. I certainly don’t. Success is one of those awful words that sounds great but...

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Jul 29, 2013
Installations, Urban Planning & Design

Walt Disney and Urban Gondolas

This is a guest post by Billy Beasley. Walt Disney. Just the sound of his name evokes thoughts of Mickey Mouse, animation, and the sprawling theme parks that bear his name. But Disney wasn’t just an animator, he was a master urban planner. Disney orchestrated everything when it came to his parks from perception of...

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