TRI-Line Connected Ropeway System

After about 20 months in development, Doppelmayr has announced the launch of its new hybrid ropeway system, the TRI-Line. The TRI-Line offers alpine resorts (as well as urban operators) a competitive solution to meet their high demand and special requirements by combining the advantages of a mono-cable gondola and a tri-cable gondola detachable ropeway system, says Doppelmayr’s development manager, Peter Luger.

The TRI-Line offers alpine resorts (as well as urban operators) a competitive solution to meet their high demand and special requirements by combining the advantages of a mono-cable gondola and a tri-cable gondola detachable ropeway system, says Doppelmayr’s development manager, Peter Luger.

The TRI-Line’s continuous-movement system combines the benefits of Doppelmayr’s proven tri-cable ropeway system 3S with the detachable generation of its D-Line in a more compact form.

“Smaller, but not less special than its big brother/sister,” Luger said.

The TRI-Line cabin has been designed to provide a comfortable space for passengers in winter and all-year applications. “Passengers will benefit from reduced waiting times and a top level of comfort even in heavy weather,” he said.

The newly designed cabins have room for 20 guests and come equipped with 12 seats that can be heated and arranged in different configurations.

The new TRI-Line cabin seamlessly fits into a high-level portfolio that includes CWA Omega V and Atria, the company’s most sophisticated cabins for continuous-movement ropeways so far. While the D-Line generation of mono-cable systems with the Omega V cabins can transport up to 5,500 people per hour per direction, the TRI-Line’s capacity of up to 8,000 passengers per hour per direction is unique in the ropeway industry, Luger says.

Compared to the substantially larger 3S installations, the tubular towers used on the TRI-Line are easier to transport, take less time to install and, once built, have a smaller environmental footprint; and its stations take up less space.

The TRI-Line’s electric cabin doors are level with the station platforms to provide a barrier-free entrance and exit to optimize passenger flows. A two-door cabin option further improves passenger loading and unloading. All cabin functions can be integrated and controlled directly with the Doppelmayr Connect system because the TRI-Line is a connected ropeway system.

“Operators and guests will also benefit from the highest level of reliability and a fully integrated information and communication technology experience,” Luger said.

The TRI-Line can also be integrated with Doppelmayr’s visionary new autonomous ropeway operation (AURO) system, an integrated intelligent technology that ensures the crewless stations’ smooth cabin loading and unloading. AURO’s cameras and sensors identify situations that deviate from “normal operation” – when a passenger’s ski boot becomes caught in the door, for example – and shuts down immediately and automatically while alerting a ropeway operator at the Ropeway Operation Centre (ROC) who has an overview of operations and can restart the system once the problem is resolved. It’s a combination of human oversight and cutting-edge technology that can reduce downtime and the need for on-site supervision.

Designed to provide high wind stability

The TRI-Line has been designed for high capacity and high reliability. That includes strong wind conditions, in which the TRI-Line provides excellent stability. The system has two fixed, fully locked track ropes, which provide a stable running surface for the people carrier to travel on and a circulating haul rope that is clamped to the carriages by two automatic detachable grips. It’s a continous-movement system that offers top performance, reliability, straightforward handling and low maintenance. The system’s stability allows for long rope spans and travel speeds of up to seven meters per second.

Through the movement of the carriage wheels, Doppelmayr’s unique carriage wheel generators provide enough electricity for the cabin’s interior information and communication technology, and to keep the seats warm. The 3S system has proven resistant to heavy snowfall and freezing rain.

“Passengers will benefit from reduced waiting times and a top level of comfort even in heavy weather.”

Peter Luger, Doppelmayr

“We believe the TRI-Line will have the same strength,” said Luger. “(Even) a power outage would not be an issue for the TRI-Line.” It might force the installation to stop, but evacuation drives and/or auxiliary drives would automatically take over and there would be no risk to passenger safety, he says.

The Doppelmayr Group specializes in ropeway technology, engineering, design, production and construction, with a century of experience in providing its popular high-performance means of transport to skiing and recreation regions and, increasingly, as urban transportation solutions. Doppelmayr has more than 15,400 installations in over 95 countries and has production, sales and service facilities in over 50 countries.

The first TRI-Line is being built in Hoch-Ybrig, Switzerland, a popular all-year alpine skiing and hiking destination about 50 kilometers south of Zurich, to replace a 55-year-old aerial tramway.

“The earliest handover date will be in the fourth quarter of 2025,” he said.