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]

Operation

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  Peoplemover in Pfullingen, Germany

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  Entrance door of Pfullingen Peoplemover

A cabin with passengers, including handicapped in wheelchairs, first moves vertically upwards, then horizontally, thus bridging an obstacle, and finally vertically down. Vertical and horizontal trips are connectes 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]

References

1. "Reinventing the Wheel: Designers Worldwide Focus on Gas-Free Alternative Transportation Systems", Intransition Magazine, Winter 2009
2. "Pause für den Peoplemover", Schwabische Tagblatt, May 27, 2009
3. Schmid Peoplemover specifications, by ThyssenKrupp Aufzugswerke
4. "Schmid Peoplemover System"
5. Altbach Peoplemover
6. Berlin Peoplemover
7. "Peoplemover: Das Tor der Stadt ist verkauft", Reutlingen General-Anzeiger, April 01, 2015
8. "Randnotiz: Das Tor steht bombenfest", Reutlingen General-Anzeiger, April 02, 2015