Schmid peoplemover
The Schmid peoplemover (German: Schmid-Peoplemover), an elevator capable of crossing an obstacle (a road, a railway, a river, etc.), designed by the company Schmid-Maschinenbau from Sonnenbühl, Germany,[1] invented by Emil Schmid.[2] Currently ThyssenKrupp Aufzugswerke GmbH is in charge of its maintenance.[3]
- Peoplemover in Pfullingen
- Peoplemover in Altbach
- Peoplemover at the Bbf-Rummelsburg
A cabin with passengers, including wheelchair users, first moves vertically upwards, then horizontally, thus bridging an obstacle, and finally vertically down. Vertical and horizontal trips are connected by a wide, smooth arc. The company claims that its construction is significantly cheaper than an overpass or underpass, occupies less space and it may be installed in 2-3- days from parts fabricated according to different specifications as to height, span and visual design style.[4]
Schmid peoplemovers were installed in Pfullingen (across Route B 312), Altbach,[5] and at the Berlin-Rummelsburg Betriebsbahnhof station[6] in Berlin. Eventually the Pfullingen Peoplemover operation stopped due to economic reasons.[2]
In 2015 it was announced that the nearby city of Reutlingen decided to purchase it and install it at the city hall.[7] Next day it was revealed to be an April Fool Day prank.[8]
See also
References
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- "Reinventing the Wheel: Designers Worldwide Focus on Gas-Free Alternative Transportation Systems", Intransition Magazine, Winter 2009
- "Pause für den Peoplemover", Schwabische Tagblatt, 27 May 2009
- Schmid Peoplemover specifications, by ThyssenKrupp Aufzugswerke
- "Schmid Peoplemover System"
- Altbach Peoplemover
- Berlin Peoplemover
- "Peoplemover: Das Tor der Stadt ist verkauft", Reutlingen General-Anzeiger, 1 April 2015
- "Randnotiz: Das Tor steht bombenfest", Reutlingen General-Anzeiger, 2 April 2015