Well, Portland has horrible weather, so they do well in any environment....cost is way less than rail, and they can go over sensitive areas like town lake or wooded spots.

Portland doesn't get storms like we do here though. That said, I love it!!! I guess the 10,000 passengers per hour probably refer to if the whole set of lines were completed. I'm not sure that is enough people to justify it.

It would still be more than ride the metrorail.

I actually think its a cool concept. These things as actual public transport are becoming less pie in the sky as a few cities like Medellin build them.

I Love LOVE LOVE It!!!! :D
i hope it happens

They just made one of these in London to go over the Thames. seems to be doing well over there

Yeah, I remember hearing about that. Honestly, this seems like the best, fastest, most cost-effective option for Austin. I've mentioned it to several friends and ALL have said how it would fit in perfectly for the city.....it's just a little weird....but totally practical.

What's wonderful about this comment, and I don't even know if you said it on purpose, but if there's any way to implement widespread mass transit and at the same time KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD ...this is the ticket, no pun intended. One more reason I have to and will move to this city one day very soon. :notacrook:

You see me. You see Austin.

<3

I'll have to look up some of you Austin ssp folks when I get down there. :cheers:

ooooohhhhh.... "A".... Heeeeaaaaallllyyyyy..... you are so funny!

I love it too!

A little anecdote...During and just after the '84 Worlds Fair in New Orleans, there was a huge gondola that spanned the Mississippi River...from the fair site (current convention center) to Algiers. I recall that on a few occasions the cabs suddenly stopped and passengers were stuck for a good 1-2 hours. Great view, but probably a bit nerve wracking while suspended 200+ feet above the river!

A little history...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississ..._River_Transit

http://news.google.com/newspapers?ni...g=2285,1374308

It's true, ahealy is very Austin. :D

Anyhoo, this would be freaking awesome. Can you imagine? It would cause no more traffic congestion, very little to no pollution. Not to mention it's a fantastic way to traverse your city. I know i'd be sitting near the window every time with my camera.

By the way, there's a thread in the transportation section of the forum on some other systems in other cities, plus this one. I also posted the article that ahealy did above.

Here's the link:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=202373

......

How fast would these gondola's travel? It's hard to imagine them as a practical commuter option (from the suburbs, or even the airport). Just curious.

I would imagine faster than sitting in traffic (30 mph?). Plus they're higher up, which means FASTER!!! I totally think it's a practical solution for commuting. I discussed it all over dinner with my best friend who is heavily involved with Austin developments, and he was gaga over it all.

Thanks Kev, I got the Austin in my blooood :P as do you, and everyone else on here.

VERY true! I guess I have this vision of a slow, lazy ride like you see at the Texas State Fair. Definitely interested in learning more about it.

And they're also not gonna go with the traffic like a light rail would, so they won't have to obey traffic signs or whatnot. Or would these gondolas have some form of light traffic function?

It be awesome if they made them very smooth and fast. I'd figure a 3 min ride from Zilker Park to Downtown, or a 6-10 min ride from Downtown to the Domain. It be good for tourism as well... I know people would wanna get on them just for the experience and the views.

I also like that one photo from the link where one of the gondolas goes through the buildings in downtown (looks like San Francisco). I'd imagine it look very futuristic at night... a la the Jetsons.

^Yeah, they wouldn't even necessarily have to follow the routes of streets which means they could travel "as the crow flies" - so straight lines and that would cut down on commute times as well. The only issue there would be is gaining air rights above private property where it is assumed there will never be any vertical development anyway.

There's such a thing?

I suppose this system could accommodate large cabs, such as the Roosevelt Island tram in New York? That could be a very practical commuter option, if designed for long distances.

http://newyork.diarystar.com/images/...rial-tram1.jpg

http://newyork.diarystar.com/rooseve...d-aerial-tram/

FYI... This tram travels at approx 16mph.