After 2 months of testing, new footage of the Brest Cable Car (French: Téléphérique de Brest) has surfaced online.
The cable lift operates in an aerial tram configuration — however, unlike your typical aerial tram, the manufacturers (Bartholet) have built an incredibly unique system known as the “saut de mouton à câble” or SDMC Concept.
With this design, the two cabins operate on different track alignments, which enables the cabins to travel above and below each other as they move through the central 80m tower. This concept results in considerable space savings (i.e. smaller station footprint) as both cabins utilize the same platform.
SDMC Concept. Image from Bartholet.
SDMC concept in action. Image from Ouest France.
In a city setting, this reduction in station widths will be particularly advantageous since urban real estate is often priced at a premium.
The cable car is scheduled to open in October 2016.