Did you think that the functioning of an elevator was always the same? Then you didn’t know of the Schmid Peoplemover. The innovative concept used in this kind of elevator is based on the horizontal and vertical movement of the car, which moves up and down the two towers and across the bridge spanning them. When traveling vertically, the lift carriage and car are held in the lifting gear guides before gliding smoothly over into the horizontal travel position with the aid of a special guide rail and a sophisticated mechanical system.
In particular, it is this smooth transition from the upwards vertical movement to the sideways horizontal movement that is ingenious. The passengers reach the other side of a four-lane highway safely and comfortably in about 30 seconds, while the traveling time will definitely seem much shorter than, for example, waiting at a set of traffic lights.
An additional benefit of this new kind of pedestrian conveyor system is the time-saving installation. The overall concept and the well thought-out design mean that installation of the towers and the bridge can be completed and be ready for operation in 2, or at most, 3 days. In addition, construction work and interruptions to the traffic are reduced to a minimum.
The application areas for the Schmid Peoplemover range from the crossing of streets, railways, and waterways, the linking of motorway service stations to car parks with no service facilities on the other side of the motorway, and to providing facilities at shopping centers, exhibition centers, leisure parks, hotel complexes, hospitals, and many more.
This type of design with its overpass concept has been subjected to TÜV inspection and offers problem-free entry and exit. With no changes in floor level, it is therefore also suitable for accompanied wheelchair users and those wheel- ing push chairs or cycles.
According to Matador Network, one of the downsides linked to the complexity of the Schmid Peoplemover is that requires specially trained technicians when repairs are needed. In case it breaks down, there’s no alternative to get to the other side. The German manufacturer, ThyssenKrupp, suggests that a parallel walkway can be added to the steel structure of the Schmid Peoplemover.
