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

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 connected 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

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