Brian T. suggests that Pittsburgh’s challenging topography (not to mention finances) and its historical association with cable transit solutions might make it an early adopter of urban gondolas. Check out the route he devised on google maps (make sure to view it in Earth mode, to fully appreciate Pittsburgh’s topography).
Image by Brian T.
With the growth of various universities, hospitals, and related companies, the Oakland section of Pittsburgh has become the third-most important business district in Pennsylvania, after central Philadelphia and Downtown Pittsburgh. Transit officials have studied extending Pittsburgh’s modest light rail/subway system (the “T”) from Downtown to Oakland via the underdeveloped Hill District, but the tunneling costs have proven prohibitive for cash-strapped Pittsburgh. The northern portion of the proposed gondola route would provide this service.
South Hills Junction is the collection point for various T branches and the South Busway (a bus-only highway), and is connected by a tunnel and a bridge to Downtown. Potential transit commuters to Oakland from the southern suburbs must pass through South Hills Junction to Downtown, then walk to a bus stop for an often-crowded transfer to Oakland. The southern portion of the proposed gondola route would provide a bypass of Downtown from South Hills Junction directly to Oakland, via two secondary employment centers (the South Side Works and Pittsburgh Technology Center). This route is inconceivable with light rail, since it would require two tunnels and a bridge.
Both branches of the proposed route would also greatly improve connectivity for Oakland’s student-heavy and car-light population, and provide a fun way for visitors to loop through many major tourist destinations.
Generally, Pittsburgh’s topography has often forced it to the cutting edge of transportation technology: it was an early adopter of cable-propelled streetcars and inclines (two are still in operation), and its Busway system, which serves many more riders than the T, has been described as the grandfather of bus rapid transit in the United States.
It would not surprise me if Pittsburgh’s pressing unmet rapid transit needs, capital constraints, and ever-challenging topography once again combined to make it an early adopter of urban gondolas.
Thanks to Brian for this!
5 Comments
Just one short question: Why isn’t the line closed? Seeing the whole route and then being “just one cable away” from the city center again seems from an early point of view like something’s missing.
What are the distances between the stations/stopovers?
Thanks to Steven for posting this, and I will be happy to answer questions.
LX,
The concept was basically to launch a new Oakland-centric system that was nonetheless well-integrated with the existing rapid transit network. There is already pretty good rapid transit between the two end points of the proposed route, and if I was going to add a next phase, I would actually suggest extending it from Steel Plaza across the Allegheny River into the “North Side” neighborhoods.
The distance between most of the stations is somewhere between about 500 and 1000 meters. The exception is the long haul from South Hills Junction to the South Side Slopes, which is about 3 km.
Just like to guide everyone over to the City-Data.com forum where Brian has continued the discussion about his Pittsburgh gondola proposal:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/pittsburgh/1060485-proposed-pittsburgh-gondola-route.html#post15494998
Brian’s doing a great job here of leading people through the idea and reminding them that this is conceptual. There also isn’t a hint of animosity in the forum, something that is very rare in online forums. Great work, Brian!