Aerial trams are an effective, if idiosyncratic, mode of transportation. Reconnecting America's Jeff Wood reflects on how and when to explore this dramatic transit option.
"Aerial Trams, technically known as aerial ropeways, have been around for centuries. In ancient India and Japan, ropeways were used to cross rivers and were originally made of hemp or rawhide rope. Today's ropeways are made from steel cables and towers, but their function is not much different from these original ancient transportation systems."
"Most of the ropeways in the United States are ski lifts; however, three American ropeways are currently being used for urban transport. They are New York City, Portland, Oregon and Telluride, Colorado."
"Aerial trams can be a great addition to an urban transit network if they are able to overcome natural obstacles that might keep a city from connecting its places. As cities grow and are looking for ways to intelligently expand, the aerial tram can be a useful tool for addressing issues of terrain and connectivity"
Thanks to Tim Halbur
FULL STORY: Look! Up in the Sky! Aerial Trams as a Transit Alternative
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie