POMA Launches New Aerial Tramway in New York City

NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ --

An innovative World's First for POMA

The first Roosevelt Island Tramway was built in 1976, and since then, has become an iconic and vital piece of New York's urban infrastructure. In March of 2010, the tramway was closed and POMA was hired to realize a massive modernization project to upgrade the Tramway to the highest level of safety, efficiency and design.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101110/LA98352)

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101110/LA98352)

Upon completion, POMA, along with Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) will bring to New Yorkers the most advanced technology in aerial tramways. Each cabin's carriage is supported by an extra-wide track (the suspension cables are just over 14 feet apart). This innovative arrangement ensures that the cabins remain exceptionally stable throughout the 3,140 ft. trip, regardless of the wind conditions and allowing for higher speeds during the quick three-minute crossing.  The two cabins also operate completely independently of each other. Each tram cabin is hauled by a separate system of engines and cables designed to eliminate interruptions due to malfunctions or scheduled maintenance.

Soon Open to the General Public

After seven months, both cable car systems are installed. Now, POMA is conducting a series of tests leading up to final certification of the facility by the New York State Department of Labor. The permit authorizing the tramway to open to the general public is expected to be issued in November.

Taking Transport to New Heights of Sustainability

This NYC project, as well as other projects that POMA and LEITNER have recently completed in other countries, clearly demonstrate that cableways are a great solution for urban transportation. Today, Maokong in Taipei; Metrocable in Medellin, Colombia; Complexo do Alemao in Rio de Janeiro; Vinpearl in Natrang Vietnam; Minimetro in Perugia, Italy; Nordkettenbahn in Innsbruck, Austria; Zurich Airport in Switzerland; the Juneau Tram in Alaska; Detroit Airport; Minneapolis St. Paul Airport; and soon Egypt's Cairo Airport will all operate rope propelled Automated People Movers developed, manufactured and installed by POMA and LEITNER. By using the same technology they first used on the ski slopes, POMA and LEITNER are revolutionizing urban and industrial transport worldwide.

SOURCE POMA