1. Oahu future gondola transit
system
A basic concept introduction with
some supporting logic.
2. Concept in words.
• Gondolas to high places
• Gentle grade Non-Motorized Vehicle roads from high
places. (bicycles, skateboards, other)
• Stores, businesses, depots at bottoms
• Living and and recreation dispersed through raised areas.
• Highway speeds elevated to modern vehicle capability
(100+ mph) with slow lanes right and minimum speeds
over 70+ left. (special vehicle safety inspections required
for “rip” lanes)
• Parking at depots, emphasis on hand-portable, in-car-seat
fitting vehicles (skateboards) with accommodation for
various other nmvs.
3. discussion
The idea is that all roads lead (down) to a “ladder”. A planned
system would have smaller nodes laddering up to both a local “chute”
series and a depot “chute” series. From a neighbor-hood one would
ride down-hill (2%+ grade, but not much more, roads down would
wind around, and very steep descents could be handled by gondolas to
acceptable grades) to the nearest “ladder” which would take them
progressively more central. Much like many urban plans for traffic
calming, vehicle parking can move to garages for areas, and access to
vehicles can be via a short down-hill ride, and a short gondola up.
“chutes” would mostly be completely separate from vehicle roads.
Loading roads would be maintained, but emphasis would be on
multiple dwelling structures and multiple structure parking. Rental or
owned carts would allow for easy transport of purchases or work
related equipment, and gondolas would be designed to carry bicycles,
carts (brake-carts), etc. (but capacity would be maximum with
skateboarders!!)
4. argument
• This is a very serious suggestion
• In the upcoming modern age, nmvs (non-
motorized vehicles) are not new and a
generation has developed under immersion
exposure.
• Although dangerous, skateboards are not
more lethal that automobiles, and the skills
required for transit can be learned by the
majority of the population.
