It is essential to interconnect with existing transport networks and create new urban connections if we wish to overcome current and future traffic problems. POMA solutions fit into city centres to offer complementary and intermodal transport that facilitates mobility.

Optimising and managing access to all peri-urban zones, connecting an isolated neighbourhood to the city centre: POMA’s solutions improve everyday life by providing an intelligent, reliable and sustainable solution that serves everyone. Municipalities that already have ropeway systems observe that this new, low-impact transport method is a key tool in their sustainable, inclusive and economic development.

Ropeway transport can be integrated into an efficient multimodal plan: ropeways or gondola lifts are connected to other transport methods (trams, buses, cycle lanes, etc.) or facilities (car parks, stations, etc.), sharing multimodal stations when the building allows it, or via connected structures. Users of ropeway routes that are integrated into the public transport network can make a complete multimodal journey with a single ticket.

Urban ropeway transport operates within a completely separate space. By using the third dimension of the urban environment, it offers consistent journey times.

The total absence of interference from other types of traffic (pedestrian, road, rail) allows smoother and faster journeys, even at busy times. In contrast, the average service speed of traditional urban transport methods (cars, buses, taxis) is becoming slower every year.

To cater for diverse passenger types, the transport is made accessible to everyone and their equipment, such as pushchairs, bikes, suitcases with wheels, etc.

The platforms, carriers, and all elements of the user experience are designed around the needs of different passenger types, particularly people with reduced mobility. POMA works together with local users’ associations, particularly those for people with reduced mobility, to develop the best adapted facilities.

Given that the carriers cannot collide with one another or with any other form of transport, ropeways are the world’s safest transport method, after air transport (1.28 accidents per 100 million journeys). The cabins are even equipped with video-surveillance systems, intercoms and other communication systems.

The level of safety is comparable to that of air transport. For aerial trips over areas that cannot be accessed by the public (railway tracks, motorway junctions, rivers, etc.), the systems are configured with an additional emergency mode (“recovery” mode) allowing users to be returned to stations in all circumstances. Over more than 80 years, POMA’s ropeway transport systems have proven their reliability. Availability rates regularly exceed 99.5% on our urban ropeways configured for extreme weather conditions (wind, storms, etc.), which aligns them with the performances of interconnected modes.

The design of the cabins provides ample room for passengers, seating, and reduced noise and vibration. The journey through the sky offers particularly pleasant views. A comfortable, quiet journey during which passengers can enjoy the scenery makes travelling attractive.

With cabins in the city’s colours and integration of stations into the urban landscape, there are distinct and characteristic urban choices for every line, creating an identifiable attraction for the city.

The installation of railways, bridges and other heavy infrastructures requires lengthy, complicated and costly work, whereas integrating overhead lines into the existing public transport network is quick and inexpensive.

POMA’s systems are easily integrated into dense urban environments, thanks to ultra-compact elevated stations requiring less than 25m² of ground space.
Similarly, the line structures (towers) can be configured to take up an average of 5m² on the ground, or spaced as in Toulouse, where just five are required for a 2.8 km route. This low land use makes the projects easier to integrate into the city. What’s more, implementation is very quick (12 to 24 months for most urban ropeway lines), thanks to the use of off-site pre-assembly techniques. This saves a considerable amount of time and reduces the duration of disturbances from works, keeping life in the neighbourhood pleasant. Gondola lift stations can provide a connection with a metro or bus station, and can be located in an existing building, for optimal urban integration.

Boosting the attractiveness of the area or allowing economic hubs to develop around the stations by optimising the available space… In the age of compact cities, ropeways free up land. They also increase the possibilities for creating connections between residents in different parts of the city and make the life of a neighbourhood more dynamic. The stations bring the area alive, attracting new local shops, redeveloped public spaces, parks, and sites dedicated to associations and culture.

This decarbonised, silent, 100% electric mode of transport is a perfect fit for the energy transition, because it requires just one motor to pull a whole line of carriers, and a single brake system, as well having as other systems to optimise its energy consumption. France’s Grenelle I Law has identified it as an effective alternative to help combat greenhouse gases.

Urban ropeways offer great operational flexibility (number and size of cabins, speed, frequency, etc.), which means the costs can be adjusted according to the requirements and constraints of each city. The maintenance is also financially advantageous, with checks being done at night, or at the same time as other essential operations for the cabins.

We have developed a range of digital solutions to assist with the operation and maintenance of the system.