43
PITTSBURGH CABLE TRANSIT Technology, Concepts, & Opportunities Analysis Summer 2018
| Date post: | 22-Feb-2023 |
| Category: |
Documents |
| Upload: | khangminh22 |
| View: | 0 times |
| Download: | 0 times |
PITTSBURGH CABLE TRANSIT
Technology, Concepts, & Opportunities Analysis
Summer 2018
i
Table of ConTenTs1.0 Background & History ..............................................................................................1
1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................2
1.2 Technology History ...............................................................................................................3
1.3 Doppelmayr ..........................................................................................................................4
1.4 Resiliency Summary ..............................................................................................................5
2.0 Cable Transit Introduction .........................................................................................6
2.1 Cable Transit Types ...............................................................................................................7
2.2 Top Supported Technologies ..............................................................................................8
2.3 Bottom Supported Technologies..........................................................................................9
2.4 Compactbahn Solutions .......................................................................................................10
2.5 Funiculars & Inclined Elevators ............................................................................................11
2.6 Major Benefits .......................................................................................................................12
2.7 Cable Car Safety ..................................................................................................................13
3.0 Pittsburgh Context ......................................................................................................14
3.1 Public Transit ..........................................................................................................................15
3.2 Future Transit Plans ................................................................................................................16
3.3 Major Developments ............................................................................................................17
3.4 Major Challenges .................................................................................................................19
3.5 Major Activity Nodes ...........................................................................................................20
4.0 Cable Transit Opportunities .....................................................................................21
4.1 Pittsburgh Cable Transit Opportunities ................................................................................22
4.2 Community-Scale Cable Cars ..............................................................................................23
4.3 Recreation & Institutional Circulators ..................................................................................26
4.4 Re-Connectors .......................................................................................................................29
4.5 Brownfield Cable Cars .........................................................................................................31
4.6 Temporary “Test-Drive Systems” ..........................................................................................32
4.7 Grand Trunk Cable Car .......................................................................................................35
5.0 Conclusions ................................................................................................................37
5.1 Final Thoughts & Next Steps ................................................................................................38
1
1.0 BACKGROUND & HISTORY
1 BACKGROUND & HISTORY
2
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Since 2014, Pittsburgh has been a member of the 100 Resilient Cities (100 RC) program that was started by the Rockefeller Foundation.
As a member, participating cities have the opportunity to engage with 100 RC’s Platform Partners who have specialized expertise from the private, public, academic, and non-profit sector.
In July 2017, the City’s resilience office submitted a service request to engage with Doppelmayr Garaventa Group, the world’s largest manufacturer of ropeways, to deepen its understanding how cable transit systems can enhance public transportation in Pittsburgh.
In the past decade, cities around the world are now actively implementing ropeways to complement and enhance their existing bus and rail networks.
Cable car specialists conducted a workshop in Pittsburgh to educate City staff on cable transit technology in Spring 2018.
This Technology, Concepts, and Opportunity Analysis (TCO) is meant to capture the ideas expressed in the workshop and to provide readers with a concise summary of cable transit systems.
3
1.2 TECHNOLOGY HISTORYCable has been used extensively throughout human history for a variety of purposes. The technology has undergone continual upgrades and advancements which have led to improved travel speeds, safety, cost efficiency, capacity and comfort. The four major phases of cable can generally be grouped into the Vernacular, the Industrial, the Recreational and the Urban eras.
Vernacular:
One of the earliest depictions of cable was found in ancient cave drawings in China dating back to 250 BC. Ropeways were also used in Europe during the Middle Ages. These simple cable lines were typically used to traverse challenging topography and to transport materials.
Industrial:
With the invention of the steel cable in 1834, cable made huge technological improvements. The first monocable and bicable patents were filed in the mid-to-late 19th century. Soon after, the world began to see the first wave of modern cable transit systems. For instance, San Francisco’s cable cars debuted in 1882 and remain one of the world’s most famous and recognized examples of CPT.
Recreational:
With the invention of the electrified streetcar, cable transit was largely abandoned in North American cities. However, the rise of winter sport tourism activities such as skiing gave the technology another lease on life. As such, ropeways were quickly re-purposed for use in tourist and alpine resort destinations. The first chairlift in North America opened in 1936 in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Urban:
During the 1970s and 1980s, cable was studied and “re-discovered” by a few transportation engineers and scholars. They found that cable transit was an inexpensive and cost-efficient alternative to the self-propelled vehicle. The technology progressed immensely throughout this time period and to this date, continues to find and gain mainstream acceptance. At this time, over three dozen cable transit lines are now operational in cities.
Ropeways were used as early as 250BC.
With over 12mi of cable cars, La Paz has the world’s largest urban gondola network.
London’s first cable car, the Emirates Air Line, transports 1.5 million passengers per year.
4
As the world market leader in the ropeway engineering sector, Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group is pleased to be a Platform Partner within the 100RC’s program network.
Our scope of business includes ropeway systems for passenger transport, material transport systems, avalanche blasting lifts, rope-propelled systems for public transport, automatic transport systems and general utilization concepts for cross-seasonal applications.
14,900 ropeway installations on six continents of the world have been supplied by Doppelmayr/Garaventa.
Doppelmayr/Garaventa is currently the world's largest ropeway manufacturer and has built over 14,900 cable-driven systems.
Key Facts and Figures
• 801 million euros in sales revenues was posted by the Doppelmayr Group in the financial year 2016/2017
• 14,900 ropeway installations on six continents of the world have been supplied by Doppelmayr/Garaventa
• 40 countries worldwide have a subsidiary or agency representing the Group
• 95 countries around the globe have already been export destinations for the Group
• 2,720 employees — 1,398 of them in Austria alone, 384 of them in Switzerland work for the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group worldwide
• 103 apprentices in Austria, 28 apprentices in Switzerland are currently undergoing training at Doppelmayr/Garaventa
1.3 DOPPELMAYR
5
In December 2014, Pittsburgh was selected as part of the second cohort of the 100 Resilient Cities program.
During its initial stages, stakeholders met and identified a number of challenges and opportunities in its Preliminary Resilience Assessment (PRA). Some of the key themes highlighted were:
1. Regional Fragmentation2. Economic and Racial Inequity3. Aging Infrastructure4. Mobility and Transportation
Challenges5. Environmental Degradation6. Lack of Affordable Housing7. Food Insecurity8. Extreme Weather Events9. Infrastructure Failure10. Hazardous Materials Incident11. Landslide and Subsidence12. Economic Collapse13. Disease Outbreak and Pest
Infestation
1.4 RESILIENCY SUMMARYPreliminary Resilience Assessment
Resilience Strategy
After the PRA was completed, relevant stakeholders were able to build upon that document to create the Resilience Strategy (RS).
More than 600 Pittsburghers came together and contributed to the RS when it first began in June 2015.
The RS was designed to specifically align to the four “p”s of an existing framework. The four “p”s refer to:
1. People2. Place3. Planet4. Performance
The RS recognizes the need for both governmental and nongovernmental entities to work closely and collaboratively to ensure that goals and objectives are achieved.
From a transportation perspective, stakeholders have acknowledged that the City’s unique topography of rivers and hills have contributed to poor transit connectivity in some areas.
As a result, residents living in these transport deprived “pockets” are disconnected from the rest of the City. This problem is particularly exacerbated by the 25% of residents who do not own a personal vehicle.
While the City estimates that its existing physical infrastructure of roads can support a population two times its current size, leaders must make strategic decisions on how they can best revitalize aging infrastructure in addition to building new transit connections to improve non-automobile options.
6
2 CABLE TRANSIT INTRODUCTION
2.0 CABLE TRANSIT INTRODUCTION
7
Cable Propelled Transit (CPT) is a transportation technology where motorless vehicles are propelled by a steel cable. CPT systems can be top-supported and bottom-supported and consist of the following technologies.
2.1 CABLE TRANSIT TYPES
CABLE PROPELLED TRANSIT
MGD DUAL HAULBGD FUNICULAR3S INCLINED ELEVATOR
FUNITEL COMPACTBAHN PINCHED LOOPAERIAL TRAM
TOP-SUPPORTED
BOTTOM-SUPPORTED
8
TECH DESCRIPTIONMAXIMUM
SPEED (MPH)
CAPACITY
MAX WIND SPEED
OPERATIONS (MPH)
CAPITAL COST
(RELATIVE)GRIP
MGDThe monocable gondola detachable (MGD) is the most common aerial gondola technology
available. It utilizes one cable for both support and propulsion.
15.7 4,500 Up to 43 Low Detachable
BGDThe bicable gondola detachable (BGD) is
similar to the MGD but with two cables - one cable for propulsion and one track cable for
support.
16.8 4,000 Up to 43 Low-med Detachable
3SThe 3S gondola is currently the fastest and
highest capacity gondola technology availa-ble. It has a detachable grip and three cables
- two for support and one for propulsion.
19.1 6,000 62 High Detachable
FunitelThe funitel is a detachable grip system that
looks like an aerial tram but acts like a gondo-la. The system utilizes one dual loop cable to
carry short-armed cabins.
15.7 4,000 - 5,000 62 Med-High Detachable
Aerial TramThe aerial tram is a large cabin, fixed grip system consisting of one or two vehicles. The traditional aerial tram has two vehicles fixed to the same cable loop, shuttling back and
forth in tandem.
28 2,000 50 Med-High Fixed
CompactbahnThe Compactbahn uses two small cabins (up to 15 persons) which operate jigback forma-
tion but without the need for a counterweight/hydraulic tensioning for the track cable (result-
ing in smaller station size and costs)
13.4 50 - 150 n/a Low Fixed
The table below provides a summary of the performance characteristics of the various aerial gondola technologies found in urban and recreational settings. It is important to note that the performance capabilities can vary dramatically based upon the cable car technology selected.
2.2 TOP SUPPORTED TECHNOLOGIES
9
2.3 BOTTOM SUPPORTED TECHNOLOGIES
The table below provides a summary of the performance characteristics of the main bottom-supported cable technologies that may be appropriate for the Pittsburgh context.
TECH DESCRIPTION MAXIMUM SPEED (MPH) CAPACITY CAPITAL COST
(RELATIVE) GRIP
Funicular
A funicular operates with one or two trains shuttling back and forth in tandem
between two end terminals with one haul cable and drive machinery.
31 8,000 Med-High Fixed
Cable Liner Dual Haul A Dual Haul Shuttle Cable Liner is
designed with two trains that operate independently on separate tracks.
Each cable line has its own haul cable and drive machinery which enhances
redundancy and reliability.
30 5,000 Med-High Fixed
Pinched Loop A Pinched Loop system uses several haul rope loops which adjoin and overlap one another at stations. This results in higher frequencies as three or more
trains can operate simultaneously in a synchronized, circular flow of trains.
30 5,000 Med-High Detachable
Inclined Elevators Inclined elevators operate with one or
two vehicle which are each attached to a loop of cable. These are generally
built for short distances and have standing room only.
9 3,000 Low Fixed
10
2.4 COMPACTBAHN
Compactbahns (known commonly in German as “Kompaktbahn”) are specialized low-capacity aerial lifts which provide a cost-effective and space spacing solution for topographically challenging last mile problems. We’ve taken time to describe these systems as they are not commonly known.
Compactbahns typically operate in a jigback formation where two cabins (8-15 passengers per cabin) travel back and forth from two end terminals in tandem.
Unlike aerial trams, compactbahns require less station space and can be built without a counterweight/hydraulic tensioning for the track cable (resulting in smaller station size and costs).
Systems can also be operated with one person, or fully automated/self service mode, helping reduce staff costs. Compactbahns may be an innovative and cost-effective solution for many of Pittsburgh’s hilly terrain.
SOLUTIONS
Polinka, Wroclaw, Poland
Faja dos Padres, Madeira, Portugal
Polinka, Wroclaw, Poland
Faja dos Padres, Madeira, Portugal
11
2.5 FUNICULARS & INCLINED ELEVATORSPittsburgh already has a significant experience implementing and operating inclined elevators and/or funiculars. The Duquesne Incline and Monongahela Incline were both inspired by cable transport systems seen in Europe when the initial waves of German settlers arrived in the region.
While the City only has two of these systems left which operate mostly for recreational transport, modern equivalents of the technology has been adapted for urban transport use in many cities throughout the world.
Its high speeds, and cost-efficiency can allow Pittsburghers to move easily along the city’s topographical challenges.
Pfaffethal-Kirchberg Funicular features two cable systems which transports 7,200 passengers per hour.
Lugano-Citta Stazione Funicular carries more than 2.5 million passengers per year.
Stoos Funicular is the world’s steepest funicular in the world (110%/47.7 degree max incline).
Mamariga Funicular connects passengers to urban districts located on hills with Bilbao’s Metro system.
12
2.6 MAJOR BENEFITS
Cities worldwide are now recognizing how CPT systems can improve transit connectivity. Some of the technology’s major benefits are included below.
Can be built in 1-2 years.1. INSTALLATION TIMES
Amongst the safest transport technologies in the world. 7. HIGH SAFETY
Can transport up to 6,000 - 8,000 persons per hour per direction. 8. MEDIUM-HIGH CAPACITIES
Can arrive to pick up riders as quickly as every 8-12 seconds. 2. HIGH FREQUENCIES / NO SCHEDULES
Provides 100% barrier free access.3. FULLY ACCESSIBLE
Can function with reliability levels of greater than 99.5%.4. HIGH RELIABILITY
Travel above the ground and require towers and stations at specific intervals.
5. LOW IMPACT ON GROUND
Can be built at 1/3 to 2/3 the cost of other fixed link transit. 6. COST-EFFECTIVE
13
2.7 CABLE CAR SAFETY
Data collected from around the world demonstrates that cable cars are one of the safest forms of transportation.
Technological advancements in the ropeway industry combined with strict safety standards have resulted in nearly unmatched levels of passenger security. In addition, an overall culture of safety ensure that ropeways are designed and engineered with the utmost care and precision.
This high degree of safety is proven by empirical evidence found in countries with high usage rates of cable lifts.
For instance, since the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) started collecting passenger data in 1973, the US ski industry has transported 17.1 billion skiers and snowboarders. Between 1993 and 2018 — a span of more than 24 years — there has been zero fatalities stemming from lift malfunction.Δ
In North America, there is an estimated one passenger fatality for every 900 million ropeways passengers while there is one passenger fatality for every 31 million transit riders.°
A similar trend of safety in occurs in Switzerland — home to the highest per capita use of cable cars. In this alpine country, ropeways are the safest form of transport.† Statistics demonstrate that lift passengers are three times less likely to be injured than in a tram, bus or train, and fifty times less likely to be injured than sitting in a car.
A PERSON IS 3 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER A FATALITY RIDING AN ELEVATOR THAN A SKI LIFT, AND MORE THAN 8 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER A FATALITY RIDING IN A CAR THAN ON A SKI LIFT.
“
”- National Ski Areas Association
Δ NSAA Ski Lift Safety Fact Sheet (2017). Available at: https://bit.ly/2D2c80h° Ropeways in North America - Impact Benefits and Outlook (2009). Available at: https://bit.ly/2xowvPa† Seilbahnen Schweiz - Safety and Quality (2017) - Available at: https://bit.ly/2nEFjd1
14
3 PITTSBURGH CONTEXT
3.0 PITTSBURGH CONTEXT
15
3.1 PUBLIC TRANSIT
Public transit in Pittsburgh is the responsibility of the Port Authority of Allegheny County (also known as the Port Authority).
The Port Authority has a service area population of 1.4 millionΔ and operates and owns a multi-modal network of transit systems which includes three light rail lines, two funiculars, 700 buses, and three bus rapid transit lines (South Busway, West Busway and East Busway).
Many of the City’s transport routes are designed to follow existing rivers/streams and terrain which has resulted in geographic “pockets” with poor transit connectivity.
OAKMONTCOUNTRY
CLUB
ZONE 2
ZONE 2
ZONE 2 ZONE 2
ZONE 2
ZONE 2
ZONE 2
ZONE 2
ZONE 2
ZONE 2
ZONE 2
ZONE 2
ZONE 2
ZONE 2ZONE 2
ZONE 1
ZONE 1
ZONE 1
ZONE 1
ZONE 1
ZONE 1
ZONE 1
ZONE 1
ZONE 1
ZONE 1A
ZONE 1A
ZONE 1A
ZONE 1A
ZONE 1A
Route Numbers
END of the Route
Stations
Park and Ride Lots
Points of Interest
Townships - Municipalities - Neighborhoods
Bus Garage
Airport Route - 28X
Trails - Recreational
FARE ZONES
PENN STATE GREATER ALLEGHENY
CCAC - SOUTH
MALLCENTURY III
MALL
CENTURY
SQUARE
JEFFERSON HOSPITAL
UPMCPASSAVANT HOSPITAL
LA ROCHECOLLEGE
AMBRIDGE-ALLIQUIPA BRIDGE
SEWICKLEY BRIDGE
HERITAGE VALLEY SEWICKLEY HOSPITAL
PORT AMBRIDGE INDUSTRIAL PARK
PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
KENNEDY CENTER
THE MALL AT ROBINSONENTRANCE K
ROBINSON TOWN CENTRE
OHIO VALLEY HOSPITAL
PARKWAY CENTER
CRAFTON-INGRAM SHOPPING CENTER
GALLERIAGALLERIA
GREAT SOUTHERN SHOPPING CENTER
CHARTIERS VALLEY SHOPPING CENTER
MIRACLE MILESHOPPING CENTER
MONROEVILLE MALL
BRINTONTOWERS
PENN CENTER
BRADDOCK HILLS SHOPPING CENTERBRADDOCK HILLS SHOPPING CENTER
PINE CREEK SHOPPING CENTERPINE CREEK SHOPPING CENTER
PITTSBURGH TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
ALLEGHENYCEMETERY
RIVERVIEWPARK
WEST VIEW PARKSHOPPING CENTER
AVALON LOOP
GEORGE STUART BRIDGE GEORGE STUART BRIDGE
HEIGHTS PLAZAALLEGHENY VALLEY HOSPITALALLEGHENY VALLEY HOSPITAL
NEW KENSINGTON BRIDGE
ALLEGHENYLUDLUM STEEL
McINTYRE SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER
ROSS PARK MALL
KANE CENTERNORTHWAY MALL
NORTH HILLS VILLAGE MALLNORTH HILLS VILLAGE MALL
ALLEGHENY GENERAL HOSPITAL
TROY HILL LOOP
40TH STREET BRIDGE
31ST STREET BRIDGE
LEETSDALE INDUSTRIAL PARK
WES
T
BUSW
AY
MO
NO
NG
AH
EL
A
R
IV
ER
YO
UG
HI
OG
HE
NY
RI
VE
R
PHIPPS CONSERVATORY
ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT
WEST MIFFLIN GARAGE
ALLE
GHEN
Y CO
UNTY
WES
TMOR
ELAN
D CO
UNTY
AVALON
PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE
M. L. KING JR. EAST BUSWAY
OH
IO
RI
VE
R
SHADYSIDEHOSPITAL
SHADYSIDEHOSPITAL
MO
NO
NG
AH
EL
A
RI
VE
R
BEAVER COUNTY
ALLEGHENY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE
VETERANSADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL
VETERANSADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL
PARKWAY EAST
ALLEGHENY VALLEY EXPRESSWAY
ALLEGHENY VALLEY EXPRESSWAY
WESTMORELAND COUNTYALLEGHENY COUNTY
ROBERT D.FLEMING BRIDGE
LINCOLN LOOP
HIGHLAND PARK BRIDGE UPMC ST. MARGARET HOSPITAL
ROSS GARAGE
WEST PENN HOSPITAL
SHUMAN CENTER
PITTSBURGH ZOOWATERWORKS MALL
McKEES ROCKS BRIDGE
NEVILLE ISLAND BRIDGENEVILLE ISLAND BRIDGE
FAIRYWOOD
MANCHESTERMANCHESTER
P A R K W AY W E S T
P A R K W AY W E S T
SCOTT TOWN CENTERRACEWAY
PLAZA
PENN L INCOLN PARKWAY
WEST ENDBRIDGE
CARNEGIESCIENCECENTER
CCAC
FT. PITTTUNNEL
TRANSIT TUNNEL
BELTZHOOVER
HEINZFIELD
MONONGAHELA INCLINE
MONONGAHELA INCLINE
MERCY
SOUTH SIDE WORKS
SANDCASTLEAMUSEMENT PARKSANDCASTLEAMUSEMENT PARK
HOMESTEAD GRAYS BRIDGE
KANE CENTER
HOT METALBRIDGE
UNIVERSITYOF PITTSBURGH
PETERSENEVENTS CENTER
VA HOSPITAL
CARNEGIEMELLONUNIVERSITY
CARNEGIEMUSEUMS
UPMC MAGEE WOMENS HOSPITAL
PENN LINCOLN PARKWAY
SOUTH BUSWAY
BIRMINGHAMBRIDGE
PNC PARK
UPMC PRESBYTERIAN
THE WATERFRONT
CHATHAM UNIVERSITY
REGENTSQUARE
KENNYWOOD SHOPS
ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL
CASTE VILLAGE
FEE
KANE CENTER
FEEFEE
HULTON BRIDGE
RAIL TUNNELRAIL TUNNEL
CCAC - BOYCE
OH
IO
RI
VE
R
RIVERSCASINO
WESTINGHOUSE
UPMC McKEESPORTUPMC McKEESPORT
DUQUESNE INCLINE CARLOW UNIVERSITY
AL
LE
GH
EN
Y
R I V E R
UPMC MONTEFIORE
CLAIRTON BRIDGE
McKEESPORT DUQUESNE BRIDGEMcKEESPORT DUQUESNE BRIDGE
MANSFIELD BRIDGE
CHILDREN’SHOSPITAL
McKEESPORTTRANSIT CENTER
McKEESPORTTRANSIT CENTER
RAMOND P. SCHAFER HIGHW
AY
WESTINGHOUSERESEARCH LABS
NEVILLE ISLAND BRIDGE
SOUTH HILLS VILLAGE SHOPPING MALLSOUTH HILLS VILLAGE SHOPPING MALLFEE
VILLAGE SQUARE MALLVILLAGE SQUARE MALL
I -279 HOV LANE
ALLEGHENY COUNTYWASHINGTON COUNTY
BRENTWOOD TOWN SQUARE
GLENWOODBRIDGE
GREAT VALLEY SHOPPING CENTER
MONVUEHEIGHTS
ALCOMA APARTMENTS
REGIS R. MALADY BRIDGE
CENTURY TOWNHOMES
BAKERY SQUAREBAKERY SQUARE
UPMC EAST
VIRGINIAMANOR
FEE
GCOLLIER GARAGE
KENNYWOOD
EDGEWOOD TOWNCENTER
OLD WILLIAM PENN HIGHWAYOLD WILLIAM PENN HIGHWAY
MONONGAHEL A
R I V E R
NORTH PARK
ALLEGHENY COUNTYSETTLERS CABIN PARK
NORTH PARK LAKE
CHURCHVIEWGARDEN APARTMENTS
GIANT EAGLE
ALLEGHENY VALLEY EXPRESS WAY
CCAC WEST
IKEA
CONSOL
SQUIRREL HILLTUNNEL
RANKINBRIDGE
UPMC
60
60
60
60
60BUSINESS
60
28
76
76
28
885
51
28
G
8
2230
30
G
376
37622
22 30
376
76
130
121
50
G
50
19
22
30
376
48
51
51
65
30
279
885
22
79
79
79
79 279
79
376
279
837
148
837
837
380 380
286
8
65
65
837
837
50
28
CRAFTON
BELL
POTOMAC
PALM GARDEN
FALLOWFIELDFALLOWFIELD
BOGGS
BON AIR
DENISE
PIONEER
WHITED
EDGEBROOKEDGEBROOK
SOUTH BANKSOUTH BANKCENTRALINGLEWOOD
OVERBROOK
MEMORIAL HALL
WILLOWWILLOWCASTLE SHANNON
KILLARNEY
McNEILLY
GLENBURY
OVERBROOK JUNCTION
ARLINGTON
POPLAR
STEVENSON
SHIRAS
BELASCO
HAMPSHIRE
DAWNPENNANT
WESTFIELD
PENN STATION
STATION SQUARE
FIRST AVENUE
STEEL PLAZA
WOOD STREET
GATEWAY
SHERADEN
INGRAM
HERRON
NEGLEY
HOMEWOOD
ROSLYNROSLYN
HAMNETT
WASHINGTON JUNCTION
WEST LIBRARY
LIBRARY
SOUTH HILLS VILLAGESOUTH HILLS VILLAGE
LOGAN ROAD
KING’S SCHOOL ROAD
BEAGLE
SANDY CREEK
SOUTH PARK ROAD
MUNROE
SARAH
MESTA
LYTLE
HILLCREST
ST. ANNE’S
SMITH ROAD
BETHEL VILLAGE
HIGHLANDCASSWELL
CARNEGIE
DORMONT JUNCTION
SOUTHHILLS JUNCTION
SWISSVALE
WILKINSBURG
MT. LEBANON
SOUTH HILLS VILLAGE RAIL CENTER DORCHESTER
IDLEWOOD
ALLEGHENYNORTH SIDE
G EAST LIBERTY
CORAOPOLIS
ROBINSONROBINSON
KILBUCKGLENFIELD
OSBORNE
BEN AVON HEIGHTS
KENNEDY
EMSWORTHBEN AVON
NEVILLE ISLAND
McKEESROCKS
STOWE
SHERADEN
INGRAM
CRAFTON
CRAFTON HEIGHTS
THORNBURG
ROSSLYN FARMS
OAKWOOD WESTWOOD
WEST END
UNIVERSAL
WILKINS
CHURCHILL
CHALFANT
WHITE OAK
NORTH VERSAILLES
TURTLE CREEK
EASTPITTSBURGH
EAST MCKEESPORT
PITCAIRN
GREENOCKBOSTON
LIBERTY
PORT VUE
GLASSPORT
LINCOLN
CLAIRTON
WILSON
WEST ELIZABETH
ELIZABETH
PLEASANT HILLS
BETHEL PARK
BRADDOCK HILLSEDGEWOOD
FOREST HILLS
WILKINSBURG
PENN HILLS
HAZELWOOD
GLENWOOD
HAYSBRADDOCK
DUQUESNE
NORTHBRADDOCK
WEST HOMESTEAD
MUNHALL
WEST MIFFLIN
SOUTH PARK
MT. LEBANON
ST. CLAIR VILLAGE
HEIDELBERGHEIDELBERG
CARNEGIE GREEN TREE
BANKSVILLE
DORMONTDORMONT
BEECHVIEW
CARRICKCARRICK
OVERBROOKOVERBROOK
BRENTWOODBRENTWOOD
BALDWIN
CASTLE SHANNON
WHITEHALL
SCOTT
BRIDGEVILLE
MORGAN
UPPER ST. CLAIR
SEWICKLEYSEWICKLEY
EDGEWORTHEDGEWORTHLEETSDALE
AMBRIDGE
HARWICK
SPRINGDALE
NEW KENSINGTONNEW KENSINGTON
ARNOLD
BRACKENRIDGETARENTUM
EAST DEER
HARMAR CHESWICK
HARMARVILLE
NORTH BESSEMER
OAKMONT
VERONA
TRAFFORD
MCKEESPORT
SWISSVALERANKIN
WHITAKER
ALLISON PARKALLISON PARK
McCANDLESSMcCANDLESS
ETNA
SHALER
GLENSHAW
SHALERCREST
SHARPSBURG
ASPINWALL
WEST VIEW
ROSS
BROOKLINEBROOKLINE
PROSPECT PARK
SQUIRREL HILL
DRAVOSBURG
ALLENTOWNALLENTOWN
CRESCENT
BELLEVUE
ROSS
VERSAILLES
GARFIELD
HOMEWOOD
FINEVIEW
NORTHVIEWHEIGHTS
POLISH HILL
SPRINGHILL
ARLINGTON
SHADYSIDEHILL
SWISSHELMPARK
POINTBREEZE
GREENFIELD
MILLVALE
RESERVESUMMERHILL
CHERRY CITY
STANTONHEIGHTS
EAST LIBERTY
LAWRENCEVILLE
MT WASHINGTON
DUQUESNEHEIGHTS
ELLIOT
SOUTH SIDESOUTH SIDE
BLAWNOX
LINCOLN PARK
MT. OLIVER
BON AIR
TROYHILL
BRUNOT ISLAND
WINDGAP
BRIGHTONHEIGHTS
STRIP
MORNINGSIDE
FRIENDSHIPBLOOMFIELD
ROSSLYN HEIGHTS
HOMESTEAD
MONROEVILLEMONROEVILLE
OAKLAND
NORTH FAYETTE
MOON
HAMPTON
TRANSITCENTER
47
69
61C61D
74
61AB
1P10
64
1
67
2
P10
P10
68-P68
28X
74
71A
20
1
P1774
71A-71B
1 P10
P10
1
P10
P10
P13
1
11
2 2
2
1-2
2
1-2
P13
P13
P13
P13
P13
4 46 7
6-7-15
15
15
8
8
8
O12O12
O12
12
12-O12
12-O12
12-O12
12
O5
O1-O12
2-12
12
12-P13
8-13
13
14
14
14
14
14
16
13-16
16
13-16
4-17
17
14-19L-17
18
20
20
20-24
20-22-24
24 24
21-22
22
20-22
40
2627
26-27
27
28X
28X
29
29 29 27-29
31
31
G31-G2
31
31-38-G31
31-G31 36
3631
40 43
44
44
44-51L 48
51
Y45
43-51L
51-51L
51-51L
52L
52L-53L
53L
52L-59-61C
52L
52L
52L
53L
53-53L
43-48
54
54
RED LINE BLUE LINE
RED LINELIMITED SERVICE
BLUE LINE - Library
56
56
56
57-93
57 58
5657
58
58
59
55-59
55-59-P76
-53-53L-57-59-61D-64
59
59
5956
68
60
60
60
60-P76
60
61B
61ABCD 61ABCD
61A-P7
61C
P7
60-61C-P7
52L
59-61D 61C-59
64
64
64
P67
67-68-P6867-68-P6867-P67
69-P69
69
P69-P76
59-69-P69-P76
69-P69
69
71C68-71-71CD-78-79-86-P2
88
75
71D
71ABCD
75
75
7777
867777
81-83 81
8181
83
82
82
8282
87
87
86-87
87-93
88
89
89
91
91
91
93
93
G2-G3-28X
G2
G3
G3
G3
G3
G2-G3
O5
O5
O5
O5
O5
P1
61A-P1-P71
P2
P3
P7P12
78-P16-P78 P16
P12
P16
79
P16
78-P16-P78
P16P16
P68P68
P6868
68
P71
P7
61A
61B
71
61B
P76
P76
P76
P76
P12
P78
P78
78
Y46
55-Y46
Y46
59-Y1-Y46
Y45
Y45
1
4
11
11
29
29
36RED LINE Castle RED LINE Castle Shannon
RED LINE South Hills Village
BLUE LINESouth Hills Village
BLUE LINE
39
48-51
53L-55
51-53L-55
51-51L
51L
53
28
1
24
21
21
21
21
77
79
P17
P17
14
1419L
19L
19L
8-1118
36
G3-G3136-38
38
38
38
38
38
41
41
41
G31
53-55-Y4753-55-Y47
55-Y47-Y49
Y47
Y47
Y47 Y1 Y46Y1-Y46
51-Y1-Y46
41 39
54
64-93 74
74
81
P7
Y46
38
65
77
67-77
P12
P12
P12
P12
P16 P16
77
P16
O1
1
P132
7
O12
11
12
O12
O12
13
14
19L
17
17
20 21-22-24
21
20-21 22-24
20
14
26
29-28X
36
38
43
44
28X
54
28X
28X
51
55 55 55
55 55
55
55
55
56
9356-57
56
55-56-59
59-61C
59
68-P68-P76 59
61AB
69
P67
64
6552L-53L-58-65
65
67
67 P12
P69
71A
71AC
71B
74
74
74
P7882
28X
71BD
P17
P17
P1786 77
87
87
5488
91
91
91
BLUE LINE Library
RED LINE - South Hills Village - LIMITED SERVICE
BLUE LINE - South Hills Village
G2
O1
O1-O5
O5
61C-P7
P16
77 77
P10
78
P7878
P6969 P69
P68
P71
P1
P76P78
71
P3
P3
78P10
24 24
48
27
13
53L 53
53-53L-59
12
71B75
75
75-91
8677
7587
77
Y1
Y1
67
67
67
P12
9393
93
58
5489
G3-G31
55
24 29
65
18
13
19L13
2122
24
Y1Y45
Y47
Y49
Y1 Y46Y49
Y49
Y49
Y45
Y46
Y46
Y46
Y46
93
G31
G31
P7
52L
61C61D
71
6769
69
67
2-12
51
31-38-G31
87
12
P67
31
54
54
74
91
14
20
44
44
51
51
54
58
91
91
5475
5975
53L
61B
53L
64
6th
Penn
7th
4th
9th
Freeport
Pillow
Corbet
Freeport
9th9th
7th7th
4th
Cumberland
Cent
er
McKnight
N. H
ighlan
d
N. A
ikenN. Atlantic
Black
Mossfield
Colombo
Stanton
Henderson Aber
Chaske
Mt. Carmel
Mt. Carmel
Main Delafield
Washington
N. Eu
clid
Stanton
Butle
r
Regulus
Spring GardenMt. Troy
E. North
Spring Garden
Troy Hill
Mt. Pleasant
Penf
ort
Penn LibertyLiberty
40th
Wardsons
Brushton
Bryant
CentreCentre
Lincoln
LincolnPaulson
Larimer LemingtonPenn
Evergreen
Chestnut
Friendship
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Allegheny
Perrysville
Marsh
all
RidgeWestern
DarlingtonBeacon
Murray
Long
Beul
ah
Montier
RobinsonWilner
Old Freeport
Frankstown
Wiltsie
Dean
N. N
egley
Baum
Beeler
5th
Reynolds
5th
S. D
allas
Homew
ood
Frankstown
Park
Hill
East Hills
Penn
Swissvale
Main
Whitaker
Waterfront Drive
WILLIAM PENN HIGHWAY
Brinton
Braddock
Ardmore
W. 8th
Braddock
Rankin
Hawkins
Monongahela
Savannah
McClure
Edgewood
James
James
James
Jones
Kennywood
Brinton
Tri-BoroAirbrake
Airbrake Middle
6th
Eliza
Hoffman
McClure
HomevilleInterb
oro
Richland
Walnut
Versailles
McCleary
Versailles
EvansEvans
Bowman
Buttermilk Hollow
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
Kennedy
MellonConlin
Worthington St. Clair
3rd
Zupancic
Brow
nsvil
le
Gardenville
Coal Valley
Old ElizabethOld Elizabeth
Brownsville Lebanon Church
Provost
BrownsvilleM
ountain
Fisher
Prospect
Johnston Imog
ene
Chalfont
BrooklineReamer
BausmanPenn
St. Joseph
Pione
er AmityWest
Baptist
Charles
Wightm
an
Winterburn
BeechwoodBogg
s
Sout
hern
Sout
hern
KathleenKathleen
Arlington
S. 2
6th
BeltzhooverBeltzhoover
Warrington
Josephine
E. CarsonE. CarsonForward
Beechwood
Greenfield
AlliesAllies
Forbes
Adelaide
Centre
Bigelow
EllsworthHerron
Irvine
EastSunset
Itin
W. Carson
KnoxKnox
ArlingtonArlington
Bigelow
Federal
Perry
sville
Rose
Ramage
Grand
Gran
t
Corn
ell
Fore
st
Kend
all
Grand
Neville
Forest Grove
Coraopolis
Island
Broadway
Helen
McCoy
Island
Center
N. Fr
emon
t
Balph
Church
Ohio River Blvd.
Herbst
Heckel
Fairhaven
McCoy
Pine Hollow
California
Park
Clever
Windgap
Jeffer
s
Allendale
Wind
gap
Chartiers
Chartiers
Steubenville Pike
Middletown
Steuben
Mansfield
Mansfield
Noble
Greentree
Noblestown
S. Main
Chartiers
Grandview
Island
Gilkeson
Bower Hill
Beverly
Lindsay
Bank
sville Br
oadw
ayWe
st Lib
erty
Ceda
r
Kane
Vanadium
Bank
Winfield
SarahWa
shing
ton P
ike
5th5th
4th
Beaver
University Blvd.BeaverBeaver
Summit Park
Steubenville Pike
Clever
Cent
er
LINCOLN HIGHWAY
LINCOLN HIGHWAY
Broadway
Jacks Run
5th5th
Brint
onBr
inton
Alcoma
Saltsburg
Unity-Trestle
Universal
Beatty
Freeport
Center
Ohio River Blvd
S. 18th
Delwar
Bayer
Lysle
OLYMPIASHOPPING CENTER
5th
Wilkins
Craft
Shady
Browns Hill
5th
BigelowN. Bellefield
N. CraigNeville
Panther Hollow
ForbesForbes
Golden Mile Highway
Main
Frankstown
Clairton Blvd.
ClairtonClairton
Clairton Rd.
Clairton Blvd.
U.S. STEEL CLAIRTON WORKS
Stanton
Washington
Penn
Brow
nsvil
le
Brow
nsvil
le
RossRoss
Sirius
N. Charles
Brighton
McKnight
North
Ohio River Blvd.
Jack
s Run
Silve
r Lan
e
Silve
r Lan
e
21
W. Carson
Jeffer
son
Bower Hill
Railr
oad
39
Bogg
s
WarringtonWarrington
S. 18th
2nd
CoreyYostYost
Ardmore
Walnut
McCleary
Li brary
Wallace
RossSouthRebeccaRebecca
Wood
Pennwood
E. 8th
39th
Shady
S. Negley
Beechwood
7th
Patton
St. C
lair
Kelly
Hamilton
Baum
Sidney
Beatty
Leechburg
Swiss
vale
Centre
Penn
Wood
Janc
eyCh
islett
56th55th
E. Liberty Blvd.
Freeport
Main
Peoples Plank
Peebles
Hemlock
Sample
Thompson Run
Blvd of the Allies
Hulton
Hulton
estle
Monr
oevil
le Tre
stle
Bessemer
Center
ElectricElectricBeech
Beech
MonroevilleMaple
Schoyer
Whipp
leWh
ipple
Commercial
Verona
Coal Hollow
Wildwood
Allegheny
State
RIDC INDUSTRIAL PARK
Center
Hyte
10th
Southside
Rhine
Perry Hwy.
Perry Hwy.
Wilson Carrie
Merchant
Forest
Chateau
Davis
Connie
Park Manor
McKee
Breining
Merrick
Repu
blic
Repu
blic
Finga
l
Bailey
Schuler
Noble
Leba
non
Mifflin
5th
Forbes
Grove
Mark
11th
Freeport
Freeport
Duncan Ferguson
Mt. Royal
Mt. Royal
Perimeter
Perimeter
McKnight
McKnight
Butle
r
North
Grant
SeaveyParker
E. Ohio
McKnight
Klopfer
Evergreen
Grant
Freeport
1st
Brule
Babcock
Beaver
Neville
Ferre
e
BroadBroad
Walnut
BankHill
Pitchfork
Crabapple
Cliff Mine
Oxford
Cochran
Orchard Spring
Foxcroft
Main
Swallow Hill
Shire
Virginia
RuthRuth
Lewi
s Run
Ravensburg
State
Mono
ngah
ela
Mono
ngah
ela
Port PerryClyd
e
East PittsburghM
cKeesport Blvd.
9thOhio
College
2nd2nd
S. Duquesne
Linde
n
Grandview
Baldridge
5th
1stLindenElm
Middle
Coal5th
Ardmore
Station
ForestForest
ForbesForbes
Viadu
ct
Upland
Bedford
E. Lib
erty B
lvd. Verona
Liberty12th12th
Butler
Northgate
Weym
an
Curry
Cochrans Mills
Blossom
DesiderioSoltis
Alpha
MellonTerrace
Long
Run
Beatty
Haze
lwoo
d
9393
Bridge
Beaver
Metropolitan
Haze
lwoo
d
Rose Leaf
26th26th
5th
Beat
ty
Oberlin
Laketon
California
Locust
Presidential
Crawford
5th4th
Grant
2nd
Forbes
Old William Penn Highway
5th
McIntyre
Remington
Ivory
Lowr
ie
Curry
Holl
ow
Brighton
Shadeland
Main
Washington
Chelton
Penn
Rive
r
Woodlawn
7th
6th
Millers Run
Brown’s Lane
Blazier
Ingomar
Winh
urst
Woodland
Lewis Village
Free
dom
Becks Run
Agnew
CusterSpencer
Churchview
Camp Hollow
Huey
GammaAlpha Beta
Fiesta
Streets Run
Munic
ipal
Grant Exit
Homes
tead-
Duqu
esne
4th
Kenmawr
Verona
Lilac
Murray
Tilbury
AIRSIDE BUSINESS PARK
US AIR FORCEBASE
PENNSYLVANIAAIR NATIONAL GUARD
SOUTH PARK
HIGHLAND PARK
HARTWOOD ACRES PARK
BOYCE PARK
WHITE OAK PARK
FRICK PARKSCHENLEY PARK
OAKMONT EASTGOLF COURSE
HOLIDAY PARK VFD PARK & RIDE
ALPINE VILLAGEPARK & RIDE
WABASH PARK & RIDE
HEBRON UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PARK & RIDE
SWISSVALE PARK & RIDE
FIRST AVENUE GARAGE
BEULAH CHURCH PARK & RIDEWILKINSBURGPARK & RIDE
HAMNETT PARK & RIDE
DORMONT PARK & RIDE
POTOMAC PARK & RIDE
MT. LEBANON PARK & RIDE
CASTLE SHANNON PARK & RIDE
MEMORIAL HALLPARK & RIDE
SHERADENPARK & RIDE
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PARK & RIDECRAFTON PARK & RIDE
IDLEWOOD PARK & RIDE
BELL AVENUE PARK & RIDE
CARNEGIE PARK & RIDE
WOODVILLE PARK & RIDE
COVENANT-COMMUNITYPRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
PARK & RIDE
ROSS PARK & RIDEROSS PARK & RIDENEVILLE ISLANDPARK & RIDE
GLENFIELD PARK & RIDE
THORN RUN PARK & RIDE
WEST LIBRARY PARK & RIDE
LIBRARY PARK & RIDE
CENTURY III MALL PARK & RIDE
ELIZABETH PARK & RIDE
OLYMPIA SHOPPING CENTER PARK & RIDE
DUQUESNE PARK & RIDE
LARGE PARK & RIDE
NORTH VERSAILLES PARK & RIDE
SPRINGDALE TOWNSHIPVOLUNTEER FIRE DEPTPARK AND RIDE
UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD PARK & RIDE
AMBRIDGE PARK & RIDE
NORTH FAYETTE VFD PARK & RIDE
McCANDLESS PARK & RIDE
SOUTH HILLS VILLAGE PARKING GARAGE
WASHINGTONJUNCTION PARK & RIDE
ST. ANNE’S PARK & RIDE
BETHEL PARK PARK & RIDE
SPRING GARDENPARK & RIDE
MONROEVILLE MALL PARK & RIDE
EAST ALLEGHENY PARK & RIDE
P
P
P
P
P
P
PP
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P P
P
P
PP
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
PSOUTH FAYETTE PARK & RIDE
PMcKEESPORT PARK & RIDE
P NORTH PARK POOL PARK & RIDE
P
FOREST HILLS PARK & RIDE
P
PMULDOWNEY PARK & RIDE
P GEN. ROBINSON P&R
PLUM PARK & RIDE
TARENTUM PARK & RIDETARENTUM PARK & RIDE
The P10 Route continues to Evergreen Road
GROBINSON
SYMBOLS
R I V E R
P P FEE
61A-P7161C-G31
TRANSPORTATION ROUTESRADIAL Routes - From Downtown - Local Services
EAST BUSWAY Routes
AIRPORT Route - 28X
RED LINE - LIGHT RAIL - Castle Shannon
RED LINE - LIGHT RAIL - South Hills Village
NORTH HILLS - I-279 HOV LANE
SOUTH BUSWAY Routes
WEST BUSWAY Routes
CROSSTOWN Routes
BLUE LINE - LIGHT RAIL - Library
BLUE LINE - LIGHT RAIL - South Hills Village
FEEDER Routes
Limited Service - Alternate Routing
AREAS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTYRivers
Hospitals
Parks and Recreation
Educational
Business Districts - Industrial
Retail Shopping Areas
Routes may have changed from the date of printing.For route details, updates or schedule times go to:
ZONE 2
ΔPort Authority Performance Report (2016). Available at: https://bit.ly/2PvkTSE
System Map of all transit lines operated by the Port Authority
The unique topographical landscape of Pittsburgh is an ideal environment for
maximizing the advantages of cable transport.
The Monongahela Incline, the USA’s oldest operating funicular, still provides transportation
to 1,000 commuters per day.
16
3.2 FUTURE TRANSIT PLANS
In 2011, the Port Authority began exploring the feasibility of constructing a bus rapid transit line linking downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland. The project is currently estimated to cost $195.5mm.Δ
Electric buses operating on a dedicated right of way will improve travel time between the Downtown and Oakland, with extensions to Squirrel Hill, Highland Park and Monongahela River Valley.
While the project did not receive federal funding, the Port Authority hopes to begin construction early next year and will proceed with local funding.
Cable systems can be built as complementary transit connections to any future rapid transit line.
While new developments are seeing cable transit systems functioning as trunk lines, most cable transit systems function best as feeders into other medium-to-high-capacity transit systems.
ΔPort Authority moves to final design for Pittsburgh-to-Oakland bus system (2018). Available at: https://bit.ly/2LjqSGL
Downtown Pittsburgh to Oakland BRT Map
17
3.3 MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
Δ 28 projects worth $1 billion under construction (2017). Available at: https://bit.ly/2HJGcLY§ Hazelwood Green’s public space (2018). Available atL https://bit.ly/2NfwROG
The Uptown EcoInnovation District, located in the communities of Uptown and West Oakland, is a community plan based on alternative planning methods which emphasize walkable, bikeable, and transit-oriented developments alongside placemaking initiatives that promote new and innovative businesses. The focus on non-automobile travel may provide opportunities to explore how cable transport can better enhance transit connections within the neighborhood.
Brownfield and greenfield redevelopment projects are ideal for cable transit as the developments can be planned around transit lines.
Typically, one of the challenges associated with cable transit in an urban area is “finding a vein” that will allow a cable transit system to be implemented cost-effectively. This challenge is mostly eliminated in greenfield and brownfield developments as the new development can be designed around the transit system.
Cable may be appropriate for some of major development projects that are being planned and implemented throughout Pittsburgh.
Uptown Eco-Innovation District
Hazelwood Green is located just 15 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh.
The Uptown Eco-Innovation District is also designed around Pittsburgh’s p4
Initiative (i.e. people, planet, place, performance).
Further transit infrastructure may be necessary as the number of residents
living in new units in downtown has risen from 4,400 in 2000 to 15,000 in 2017. Δ
At 178-acre in size, Hazelwood represents one of the largest undeveloped pieces of property in Pittsburgh. While this was a former brownfield site (home to a large steel mill), it will soon become a new community with innovative companies as its central platform. Located near a number of universities and industry, it is centrally located to function as an area where companies can conduct research, co-locate and grow. The Carnegie Mellon University’s Manufacturing Futures Initiative and Advanced Robotics Manufacturing Institute acting as its anchor tenants. There are currently plans to begin construction of a public plaza in early 2019.§
Hazelwood Green (Almono)
18
Located alongside the Monongahela River in South Oakland, the Pittsburgh Technology Center is considered one of the forefront brownfield redevelopment projects in the City. As a former steel mill site, the area is now an office park with over 1,000 employees who work advanced academic and corporate technology research. Some upcoming plans for the district include the $25.5 million Elmhurst Innovation Center and $35 million Riviera office building.
Pittsburgh Technology Center
Lawrenceville has been subject to gentrification.
On site topographical challenges may create accessibility issues.
More than nine high tech office buildings now occupy the Pittsburgh
Technology Center site.
Formerly an industrial area located 3 miles from downtown, Lawrenceville is now a hub for nightlife, live music, art and dining. Due to its affordable properties and historic homes, it has attracted many new young residents to the area.
Lawrenceville has been ranked as one of the top hipster neighborhoods in the United States. One of its main thoroughfares, Butler Street, is a bustling road with trendy eateries, art galleries, antique shops and a historic movie theatre.
The Lower Hill District is part of the “Hill District”, a historically African-American community. After the Pittsburgh Civic Arena was demolished in 2012, there are now plans to redevelop the area. Up to 1,200 residential units and 1 million square feet of retail/entertainment space has been proposed to revitalize the site. Footpaths, public plazas and green space will help connect the new redeveloped area with the Hill District. The sloping topography of the site may offer opportunities to implement cable transport systems.
Lawrenceville
Lower Hill District
19
3.4 MAJOR CHALLENGES
Some of the major transportation-related challenges faced by Pittsburgh are listed below.
!
1. STEEP ROADS
2. LANDSCAPE DIVIDES CITY INTO “POCKETS”
3. 25% OF RESIDENTS DON’T OWN CARS
4. AVERAGE RESIDENT SPENDS 42% OF INCOME ON HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION.
5. TRANSPORT CONSTRAINED BY RIVERS AND HILLS
6. RAPID TRANSIT STATIONS LOCATED FAR FROM RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES
7. ERA OF CONSTRAINED PUBLIC FINANCING
20
The map below highlights some of the major activity modes in the Pittsburgh area. Creating better transport linkages between and throughout these districts can reduce travel times and improve convenience for those without a car.
Lawrenceville
Chatham U
Carnegie Mellon
U of P
Schenley Park
Hazelwood Green
Hays Wood
The StripLower Hill
Duquesne U
Pittsburgh Technology Center
Uptown Eco-Innovation District
Carlow U
3.5 MAJOR ACTIVITY NODES
Busway
Light Rail
21
4 CABLE TRANSIT OPPORTUNITIES
4.0 CABLE TRANSIT OPPORTUNITIES
22
4.1 PITTSBURGH CABLE TRANSIT OPPORTUNITIESWithin most urban environments there typically exists just a handful of opportunities (or fewer) that can be leveraged to implement an effective cable transit system. In some cities, such opportunities number from few to none.
Not so with Pittsburgh.
Given the Steel City’s “carved up” topography characterized by hills, valleys, ravines, rivers, bridges and stairs; there is perhaps no major city in America with as many potential applications as Pittsburgh. From minor, small-scale connectors that would service the areas immediately adjacent existing transit nodes all the way up to major trunk lines capable of moving tens-of-thousands of people per day, Pittsburgh is uniquely positioned to capitalize on its beautifully unique land form by marrying it to the benefits that can be provided by cable transit technologies.
The writers of this report have developed six different cable car concepts that are believed to be prime opportunities to implement cable transit systems in the Pittsburgh context. These concepts should neither be seen to be prescriptive nor all-encompassing. Instead, readers of this report should use these concepts to better understand what benefits a cable transit system can bring to their city and use that information to envision and design cable transit systems of their own.
The concepts that follow include:
1. Community-Scale Cable Cars — the use of funiculars, inclines & compactbahns to connect neighborhood level activities to isolated local transit nodes.
2. Recreational & Institutional Circulators — the use of multi-section cable car systems such as MGD and 3S systems to move people throughout spaces such as green spaces, resorts, university campuses, and airports.
3. Re-Connectors — the use of right-sized gondola or aerial tram technologies (whether or not they are multi-section), to reconnect isolated communities to the wider urban fabric and transit network.
4. Brownfield Cable Cars — the use of cable cars within still-in-the-planning-stages brownfield development sites so as to eliminate some of the challenges inherent in using cable cars within an urban environment.
5. Temporary “Test-Drive” Systems — the use of slim-profile aerial gondola systems to service a temporary need or event with a plan to sell-off or re-purpose the technology in a different location.
6. Grand Trunk Cable Cars — the use of multi-section aerial gondola systems such as MGD and 3S to create primary and secondary trunk public transit lines within an urban context.
23
4.2 COMMUNITY-SCALE CABLE CARS
For all public transit trips, walking is an important part of the first- and last-mile problem. As such, creating more pedestrian friendly environments is critical in encouraging a shift away from car-centric developments. However, Pittsburgh’s pedestrian network is often frustrated by difficult topography and manmade infrastructure obstructions (i.e. highway and rail lines). This often makes walking inconvenient and uncomfortable.
While the City is home to over 700 public staircases (many of which are located in Southside Slopes, Polish Hill, Greenfield, Marshall-Shadeland, California-Kirkbridge, Perry South and Fineview), a high number are in poor condition, require maintenance and are poorly signed.
For highly frequented staircases, Community-Scale Cable Cars could be built to improve walking conditions and to enhance accessibility for an aging population. A potential application for funiculars is to implement systems to connect residents living on top of steep hills to rapid transit lines located in the valley.
Stairs
Incline (Funicular) Compactbahn
24
Bon Air Station
Pennant Station
Boggs Station
Many light rail stations are located in areas of hilly terrain (see below). As such, access to the station from nearby residential areas remains challenging.
Strategically built inclined elevators connected to stations may facilitate and ease accessibility for all passengers.
25
Points to consider when designing a Community-Scale Cable Car:
1. Systems such as these can typically be built for a few million dollars and maintained for a few hundred thousand dollars per year.
2. Systems such as these tend to be most effective when there is a clear natural topographical challenge no greater than 1,600 feet (500 meters) in distance.
3. Compactbahns will typically have a lower capital cost than a funicular or incline due to the lack of guideway. This lack of a guideway, however, dictates that a compactbahn must travel between two stations in a completely straight configuration. Funiculars and inclines have a much greater capacity for non-straight alignments.
4. Community-Scale Cable Cars—when located in highly-trafficked tourist destinations—have a tendency to be extremely profitable.
Community-Scale Cable Cars consist of both top-supported and bottom-supported transport systems where vehicles are propelled by a steel cable. Examples in the above photos include systems built in Quebec City (left), Switzerland (top right) and La Paz (bottom right).
26
4.3 RECREATION &
A wide variety of both top-supported and bottom-supported cable cars are utilized in Institutional and Recreational areas for amusement and/or transportation purposes. These systems tend to operate within “walled gardens” linking various attractors within the holdings of a single landowner.
Examples of this concept include (but are not necessarily limited to):
Las Vegas City Center TramThis three-station elevated automated people mover connects three different MGM properties on the Las Vegas strip.
Pearson Int’l Airport Link TrainThis dual-haul three station people mover connects two airport terminals with a satellite parking facility. It operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day with an over 99% reliability rating.
Garden Show Cable CarsSystems such as those built for the Rostock, Munich and Koblenz garden shows circulate people above the park grounds while charging a fare for each ride. Applications such as these have been shown to be very profitable while blending transportation and amusement into a single unified attraction.
Disney SkylinerA new multi-section, multi-station gondola system that knits together many different attractions at Disney’s flagship theme park in Orlando, Florida.
Kolmården Wildlife ParkA wide number of specialty turns and stations allows visitors to the Kolmarden zoo in Sweden to view the zoo’s animals from above while enjoying a leisurely ride throughout the parklands.
University of WrocławA compactbahn installation in Poland that connects two university campus districts separated by a river.
INSTITUTIONAL CIRCULATORS
27
Re-Purposing This Concept Within Pittsburgh — Schenley Park
Schenley Park is a large 420 acre greenspace located near the Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh. Due to its size and popularity with residents and visitors, there may be opportunities to better improve transportation to and within the park.
Many aerial gondolas have been built in large parks to facilitate movement and enhance recreation for residents.
Doppelmayr built a temporary gondola for the 2005 Federal Garden Show (i.e. horticultural festival) in Munich, Germany’s Riemer Park. The large 210ha greenspace was connected by a 1.6 mile aerial gondola which served 1.6 million guests in just 6 months.
Points to consider when designing a Recreational & Institutional Circulator:
1. Multi-station cable car systems in such settings generally cost in the low-to-high 8 figures.
2. Aerial systems tend to cost less than bottom-supported automated people mover systems. This is a highly subjective statement, however, as most costs will be within station architecture.
3. As systems such as these tend to be built within a single landowner’s property, permitting is typically expedited and approvals more easily obtained than those that are built within public rights-of-way.
28
Re-Purposing This Concept Within Pittsburgh — Universities
A number of universities are located in Pittsburgh. These include the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Chatham University, and Carlow University.
Since many post-secondary students do not have access to a car, many rely on public transit for daily transport.
An aerial gondola system connecting to these activity nodes could be a logical place to investigate whether a ropeway would be feasible.
The University of Wroclaw in Poland built a gondola to improve connectivity within its campus.
(MORE) Points to consider when designing a Recreational & Institutional Circulator:
4. Institutional Circulators are generally offered to the public as a free-from-charge service. They are seen by project developers as critical pieces of infrastructure to move people, staff and goods throughout their properties.
5. Recreational Circulators, conversely, typically charge a fee to pay for capital, operations & maintenance costs. These systems are not seen as essential transportation links but rather amusement attractions.
6. Hybrids that blend Institutional and Recreational characteristics are also commonly found.
29
4.4 RE-CONNECTORS
Multi-station gondola systems in urban environments initially found their footing as a means to re-connect disadvantaged communities that suffered from community ills caused in large part by physical isolation from the surrounding urban fabric.
Cable car systems such as those in Caracas, Venezuela and La Paz, Bolivia were originally imagined as a means to re-connect those isolated communities to the wider economic opportunities offered by their communities and were generally speaking successful in their implementation.
Pittsburgh suffers from similar issues, most notably within the Hill District. While geographically close to such features as Downtown, West Oakland and the Strip District, the Hill District suffers from extreme topographical isolation. Residents of the Hill District are predominantly economically disadvantaged and rely upon public transit services that are lacking within the area.
Doppelmayr supplied the electro-mechanical equipment for the Caracas, Metrocable. The first Caracas Metrocable is 5 stations long with a little more than a mile in length. It connects directly to the Metro/subway and allows residents living in isolated hilltop communities access to wider transportation options.
30
Re-Purposing This Concept Within Pittsburgh — The Hill District
A multi-section gondola system could alleviate that disconnection by knitting the area into the wider cityscape and transit network. Traveling from the Strip District, for example, up to the Hill District and onwards to West Oakland would connect the Hill District to jobs, education, recreation and transit resources that are critically lacking within the existing community.
Things to consider when implementing a Re-Connector system —
1. Significant resources will have to be expended on public outreach within the targeted community to ensure the necessary buy-in from local residents.
2. Re-Connector systems should feed into higher-order public transit systems to allow residents to get into and out of their community in a fast and convenient manner so as to connect them to economic and educational opportunities.
3. Wherever possible, cable car stations and towers should be designed so as not to displace existing residents and businesses.
4. Systems such as these can typically be built for sums in the low-to-high 8 figures.
5. It is critical to utilize the cable car system not as a second-tier transit technology targeted to disadvantaged communities but rather as a fully-integrated part of the city’s wider transportation network.
Using a multi-station cable car to connect isolated communities such as the Hill District to employment and education opportunities in the surrounding areas could open up significant economic growth opportunities for residents in said communities.
31
4.5 BROWNFIELD CABLE CARS
Cable car planning within the urban environment can be very challenging. Finding an alignment that serves the most number of people while still being able to “fit” within the given dimensions of a city’s streetscape is no small challenge. Adding in the vertical component of a system’s design and the potential to compromise residential privacy; cable car planning is a very challenging discipline of constant compromise to realize an effective alignment.
Those compromises, to some extent, can be eliminated when paired with a design-stage Brownfield redevelopment. As the brownfield development can somewhat be designed around the cable car, the need for excessive physical compromises to realize the cable car’s design is greatly reduced.
Within the Pittsburgh context, the brownfield Hazelwood development site to the south-east of downtown would be an ideal environment to implement a cable transit system. As more jobs and residents are expected as the area develops, city planners have an opportunity to craft the Hazelwood site’s master plan around the cable car thereby dramatically increase the site’s connectivity.
Given that new developments that include fixed-link, higher-order transit systems realize a significant value uplift in rents and prices-per-square-foot, it would be theoretically possible to pay for the capital costs of such a system by capturing said value uplift and allocate it to the repayment of a gondola system’s capital costs.
Things to consider when implementing a Brownfield Cable Car —
1. As a cable car only intersects with the ground at station and tower areas (as opposed to entirely along its linear length) the need for soil remediation should be reduced.
2. A cable car system is not much different than other forms of fixed link transit. Principles such as transit-oriented design can be applied to a gondola system in the same way as they would be with other standard modes.
3. By integrating cable cars into a project planners’ thinking at an early stage, the brownfield development can be designed around the cable car yielding far fewer compromises and reducing the capital costs of the gondola as a whole.
32
4.6 TEMPORARY “TEST-DRIVE SYSTEMS”Little known to most people, but cable car systems are frequently implemented as a means of providing temporary transportation large scale events and attractions like Worlds Fairs, Expos and garden shows.
The two case studies below of the Floriade Cable Car and the Koblenz Cable Car describes how two cities have used ropeway technology to temporarily improve transportation within and to special events.
Systems such as these, once disassembled, are repurposed in a different configuration oftentimes at ski resorts or other special events.
The Floriade Cable Car was built in Venlo, Netherlands to improve guest transport for a horticultural festival in 2012. To enhance system economics, event organizers planned the cable car as a temporary installation which was to be sold off as a ski lift to the Silvretta Montafon ski resort in Austria after the festival ended in October 2012.
This cable car demonstrates how a ropeway system can be reused and shipped off for another purpose to maximize financial returns.
The Koblenz Cable Car in Germany was designed to connect garden show visitors to the event grounds (located on a hilltop) from Koblenz’s city center.
The system was primarily installed as a temporary transport device for the 6-month long event. However, as locals fell in love with the system, they gathered over 100,000 signatures which convinced stakeholders to transform the system into a permanent fixture.
Floriade Cable Car Koblenz Cable Car
Koblenz
Floriade Silvretta M.
33
Re-Purposing This Concept Within Pittsburgh
Lacking a specific event or attraction to justify the use of a temporary cable car system, Pittsburgh city planners could consider using a temporary cable car as a means to “test-drive” the system and allow citizens and bureaucrats to familiarize themselves with the technology.
A system circulating within Schenley Park, a connection between Hays Woods across the river or a connection from the top of the Duquesne Incline to the stadium district on the north side of the river would be a logical connection.
In order for such a thing to work financially, one of two instances would occur.
In the first instance, the City of Pittsburgh would partner with a handful of other cities within the 100RC. Each city would have their “turn” test-driving the cable car from between 6-12 months. Each would charge a fare for the “ride” and the system would be sold off for spare parts once each city has used the system.
In the other instance, the system would be built with the intention of decommissioning it only to have the public request to have the cable car remain. Both are viable strategies, but are generally speaking mutually exclusive to one another.
Things to consider when implementing a Temporary Cable Car —
1. When designing a temporary system, it is best to have a plan for where the system will eventually “live” after it has been decommissioned.
2. Counter to the previous point, system designers should anticipate the public’s desire for the cable car to remain after it is built. As such, having a specific destination for the decommissioned cable car could be in direct conflict with the community’s desire to keep the system in place.
3. It is not necessary for a decommissioned cable car to be rebuilt in the same configuration as its original design. Designs should, however, be developed in tandem so as to ensure that the maximum number of parts and components can be reused from one configuration to the other.
4. Not all parts of a cable car system can be reused. Components like the cable itself will not be reusable. System planners should factor in these elements into their economic models to ensure sound financials.
34
A wide variety of opportunities exist within Pittsburgh to implement a temporary gondola system within the key would be to finding an installation location that is attractive enough to generate fare-paying riders while having sufficient enough space to demonstrate the technology and educate the community.
The idea of a “road show” of a touring gondola system is a unique but intriguing proposition. By uniting multiple cities within the 100RC network into such a tour, multiple cities would be able to experience the benefits of the technology with little risk. As each city would be able to charge a fare for all riders, the capital costs of a system could be amortized across a wide swath of people.
Los Angeles
PittsburghBoulder
35
Historically transit planners have looked at cable car systems as a means to connect two points directly. While new developments in Latin America have begun to change that perception, most still believe cable transit systems to only be appropriate in short-distance configurations only capable of moving a modest number of people.
This perception, however, is changing. Long distance systems in Vietnam have challenged the upper limits of how long a single section of gondolas can be while the Mi Teleférico system in La Paz, Bolivia has showcased the fact that a city’s entire fixed-link transit infrastructure can be built with cable cars.
The system is constantly being expanded and includes dozens of stations and dozens of miles of gondolas stitching the various areas of the city together into one unified whole.
4.7 GRAND TRUNK CABLE CAR
Doppelmayr has provided all the electro-mechanical cable car equipment for the Mi Teleférico cable car system in La Paz, Bolivia — world’s largest cable car transit system.
36
At approximately 7 miles long with 7 stations, a “Grand Trunk” cable car in Pittsburgh would be ambitious but is technically possible. Locating stations and towers within these corridors is considered possible by this report’s authors.
Re-Purposing This Concept Within Pittsburgh — The Grand Trunk
Leveraging the valleys, parks, rivers and other corridors within Pittsburgh, the City could realize a sort-of “Grand Trunk” cable car. Connecting Penn Station, Polish Hill, Lower Lawrenceville, the University District, Central Oakland, Hazelwood and Hays Woods.
Such an alignment would connect major destinations with major residential areas and green spaces. It would be ambitious, costing in the low-to-mid hundreds-of-millions of dollars, but could be built within a matter of a few years and at a fraction of the price of other standard fixed-link modes.
In all likelihood, such an alignment would have to be phased so as to be realized.
37
5 CONCLUSIONS
5.0 CONCLUSIONS
38
5.1 FINAL THOUGHTS &
This Technology, Concept & Opportunities Analysis was not meant to be prescriptive or final. It was designed to provoke thought and ideas within City staff and to present the myriad of ways the City of Pittsburgh could utilize cable transit technologies.
This is merely the beginning of what the authors hope is a long-lasting and fruitful dialogue.
Summary Talking Points —
1. Pittsburgh’s topography makes the city uniquely positioned to leverage the core strengths of a cable car system.
2. Unlike other cities, Pittsburgh has the opportunity to use a wide-range of cable transit solutions from small-scale Compactbahns all the way up to major trunk line cable cars.
3. Development opportunities in Hazelwood, the University District, the Hill District and Hays Woods open up avenues to connect and reconnect these areas to the wider urban fabric.
The following are the recommended next steps in the event that the City of Pittsburgh, the Resilience Office or any other departments wish to proceed with further analysis and work towards the possible implementation of a cable car system:
Potential Next Steps —
1. Circulate this report to relevant stakeholders and to gather input.
2. Host Doppelmayr team in Pittsburgh to present findings and discuss future opportunities.
3. Liaise with other 100RC cities to explore whether or not there is appetite for exploring a touring test-drive system.
4. Work with Doppelmayr to sketch out further programs of work the City wishes to undertake on this file.
5. Work towards a defined project concept and put that concept forward for a Preliminary Economic & Technical Assessment.
NEXT STEPS
39
PHOTO CREDITSTitle Page Photo by Nicholas Chu. All rights reserved.
Page 1Photo by Nicholas Chu. All rights reserved.
Page 2Photo by Nicholas Chu. All rights reserved.
Page 3Image from Klaus Hoffman report - Recent Developments in Cable-DrawnUrban Transport Systems. All rights reserved.
Photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Page 6Photo by Nicholas Chu. All rights reserved.
Page 7MGD photo by Nicholas Chu. All rights reserved.
BGD photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
3S photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved. Funitel photo by Nicholas Chu. All rights reserved.
Aerial Tram photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Compactbahn photo by Wikipedia user Panek. Used under creative commons.
Dual Haul photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Funicular photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Inclined Elevator photo by Nicholas Chu. All rights reserved.
Pinched Loop photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Page 8MGD photo by Nicholas Chu. All rights reserved.
BGD photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
3S photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved. Funitel photo by Nicholas Chu. All rights reserved.
Aerial Tram photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Compactbahn photo by Wikipedia user Panek. Used under creative commons.
Page 9Dual Haul photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Funicular photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Inclined Elevator photo by Nicholas Chu. All rights reserved.
Pinched Loop photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Page 10Photo by Wikipedia user Panek. Used under creative commons.
Photo by Wikipedia user Slawomir Milejski. Used under creative commons.
Photo by Inauen-Schätti AG. All rights reserved.
Photo by Inauen-Schätti AG. All rights reserved.
Page 11Photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
40
Photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Page 12Photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Page 13Photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Page 14Photo by Nicholas Chu. All rights reserved.
Page 15Photo by Perry Quan. Used under creative commons.
Page 17Photo by Ron Reiring. Used under creative commons.
Page 18Photo by Wikipedia user John Marino.Used under creative commons.
Page 19Photo by Wikipedia user Peter Pawlowski. Used under creative commons.
Photo by Wikipedia user Plastikspork. Used under creative commons.
Page 21Photo by Steven Dale. All rights reserved.
Page 23Photo by Flickr user hhm8. Used under creative commons.
Photo by Flickr user Tony Webster. Used under creative commons.
Photo by Wikipedia user Panek. Used under creative commons.
Page 24Photo by Wikipedia user Train2104. Used under creative commons.
Photo by Wikipedia user Train2104. Used under creative commons.
Photo by Wikipedia user Train2104. Used under creative commons.
Page 25Photo by Flickr user Tony Webster. Used under creative commons.
Photo by Inauen-Schätti AG. All rights reserved. Screenshot from Google Maps. All rights reserved.
Page 26Photo by Steven Dale. All rights reserved.
Photo by Nicholas Chu. All rights reserved.
Photo by Doppelmayr. All rights reserved.
Page 27Photo by Wikipedia user Softeis. Used under creative commons.
Page 28Photo by Wikipedia user Peter Pawlowski. Used under creative commons.
Page 29Photo by Steven Dale. All rights reserved.
Page 30 Photo by Steven Dale. All rights reserved.
Photo by Flickr user Pierre Swillens. All rights reserved.
Page 37Photo by Nicholas Chu. All rights reserved.
Doppelmayr Garaventa GroupKonrad-Doppelmayr-Strasse 1Postfach 206922 Wolfurt, [email protected]
