Ropeways have already developed into a major solution of modern urban transport in the past years. With the ConnX prototype, LEITNER is now taking a significant step forward and creating unprecedented flexibility in the development of public transport with a unique “hybrid solution”.
The new ConnX system developed and patented by LEITNER is based on a ropeway, in which the cabin is transferred to an autonomous vehicle in the station, which then continues traveling on its own route.
Possible topographical or structural obstacles can be overpassed easily with a ropeway, while on the other hand, the “double solution” is also attractive for urban areas in which a continuous ropeway version cannot be realized.
ConnX will make an important contribution to increasing the acceptance of ropeways as urban local public transport and significantly expanding their field of applications.
The name “ConnX” expresses the greatest benefit of the system, the ideal connection between an aerial and a terrestrial system.
The combination of a ropeway and self-driving vehicles allow convenient transport without needing to change. Furthermore, the flowing, engaging interaction between suspended modes in the ropeway and ground-level sections provides perfect adaptability to diverse urban planning requirements.
In this way, existing infrastructural barriers – such as buildings or monuments – can be bypassed. ConnX is not only a “missing link” between different transport systems or between two ropeways, but also a “last mile connection” for people and goods transportation.
“The concept of intermodal, sustainable passenger transport is key to the idea. The passengers should be able to reach their destination without changing from one mean of transport to another. Areas that are inaccessible to ropeways are reached by self-driving modules.”
- Klaus Erharter, Technical Director of LEITNER
ConnX strengthens the advantages of ropeways and creates added value from an ecological, structural and financial perspective, way better than conventional road and rail transport. In addition to the short construction period and low investment and operating costs, the hybrid solution provides a significant reduction of noise emissions and makes an efficient option for using e-mobility in public transport.
Thanks to the reliable journey times, continuous transport and flexible planning of stopping points, the key requirements of a public system, are fully met. In addition, with a speed of ten meters per second, the carrying capacity can be maintained over the entire operating period, thanks to autonomous locomotion on defined lanes without disruptions or delays due to other road users.
ConnX is a “system mix”, which make ropeways ever more attractive as a local public transport in urban areas.
The further development of ConnX, the new “hybrid solution” comprised of a ropeway and autonomous vehicles, is progressing with great strides. Together with the Slovenian experts of Elaphe, LEITNER is currently testing the innovative mobility solution intensively in the test lab in Sterzing. At present, two cabins and two vehicles are in operation, which are circulating in coordination with one another, whereby the different processes are being tested and optimized. For example, this also includes getting in and out at the station, whereby the focus is on two scenarios: The complete stop of the vehicle in the station and traveling through the stopping point at a speed of 0.3 meters per second. Both processes, as well as the optimization of the vehicle-synchronization, produced positive test results and therefore also confirm the current project plan. The progress is a positive sign and supports the ambitious goal of making the patented system ready for the market as a future model for urban transport in the next two years.
Text
