The past,present, and future of urban cable propelled people movers

The evolution of urban cable propelled people mover technology from the early 1800′s through the 1990′s is reviewed, with emphasis on systems developed since 1980. Technologies can be classified by the means of vehicle support and the type of service provided. The simplest systems serve as shuttles moving back-and-forth between a pair of terminal stations; more complex systems feature vehicles which are launched continuously at short headways. Advances have occurred in the design and aesthetics of guideways, vehicle operating speed, the spectrum of capacities available, and automated features. The characteristics of the individual systems in urban environments throughout the world are described.