Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Escobar-Garcia, Diego
Author-Email: daescobarga@unal.edu.co
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Civil Engineering, National University of Colombia 
Author-Name: Garcia-Orozco, Francisco
Author-Email: fjgarciaor@unal.edu.co 
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Civil Engineering, National University of Colombia 
Author-Name: Cadena-Gaitan, Carlos
Author-Email: cadena@merit.unu.edu 
Author-Workplace-Name: UNU-MERIT/MGSoG 
Title: Political determinants and impact analysis of using a cable system as a 
	 complement to an urban transport system
Abstract:  The construction of cable-propelled systems, fully integrated to urban 
	 public transport systems, has become an innovative trend in recent years 
	 for some Colombian cities. The most prominent examples include the 
	 cities of Medellin and Manizales, where these infrastructures have been 
	 built and running for several years. In fact, it should be highlighted 
	 that Manizales hosted, during the first half of the 20th century, the 
	 longest cable system in the world, which operated for nearly 40 years 
	 and was a cornerstone in the development of the region. This historic 
	 cable enabled the transportation of large shipments of coffee to the 
	 Magdalena River, to be exported across the world.  
	 In this paper we provide a thorough assessment of the current cable 
	 system in Manizales. We evaluate its costs in a comparative perspective 
	 against the impacts generated by the system, via time savings in daily 
	 travel. Due to its full integration with the public transport system, we 
	 also provide empirical evidence of the related passenger demand 
	 variability.  
	 Upon the implementation of the first cable system, additional similar 
	 projects have been initiated. We provide insights into a cable system 
	 designed and being built for recreation, and describe the planning 
	 process for the most recent public transport cable system being 
	 designed. All these systems are evaluated from the supply-side, 
	 measuring accessibility, from the demand-side, modelling the complete 
	 urban transport system for the city, and from the political side, 
	 describing the determinants of the decisions that ultimately stimulate 
	 the implementation of these projects in sustainable mobility.  
	 Based on the results obtained, we offer conclusions regarding the actual 
	 competitiveness of cable-propelled systems, arguing that they should be 
	 considered valid urban passenger transport solutions.  
Classification-JEL: O33, R41, R42
Keywords: Accessibility, impact of transport modes, cable propelled system,
	 transport innovation
Series: UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Creation-Date: 2013
Number: 2013-017
File-URL: https://unu-merit.nl/publications/wppdf/2013/wp2013-017.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 275 Kb
Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2013017