How was the capacity utilization of the cable car calculated with 15,000 passengers per day?
The capacity utilization of the cable car was calculated using the standardized assessment. A fixed calculation method is specified in the instructions for this assessment.
The expected transport demand was determined using the Bonn transport model for the 2030 forecast horizon. For this purpose, all structures such as residents, employees (not only in the UN district and at the university hospital), pupils, students, etc. were mapped for the city of Bonn, the Rhein-Sieg district and the surrounding area, calibrated using passenger numbers and checked for plausibility with the help of other statistical data. The expected traffic situation is calculated for the 2030 forecast horizon together with all changes planned in Bonn up to that point. Based on this, future effects on traffic due to the cable car can be derived.
Did the studies take into account that more commuters will be working from home as a result of the pandemic?
All transport planning decisions are currently being made under the realistic assumption that traffic conditions will "normalize" again after the pandemic, i.e. that a return to old ways of working and thus also ways of getting to work can be expected. This applies to other standardized procedures such as that for the Niederkassel light rail system as well as to the considerations of Deutsche Bahn AG or the Rhine-Sieg Transport Association (VRS) for the development of local rail passenger transport in the Cologne-Bonn region. Even if a slightly higher proportion of home office time remains, bundled measures as part of the transport turnaround will lead to greater use of local public transport - and thus tend to increase passenger numbers.
Are there long waiting times at the stations during the morning rush hour?
One of the biggest advantages of the cable car is that there are always vehicles ready to board at every station. The available space is regulated by the speed and number of cabins suspended and the frequency of service is calculated on this basis: The plan is for a new cabin to reach the stations every 20 to 24 seconds and for the cable car to travel at a speed of 6 meters per second (5 meters per second at times when there are fewer passengers). Passengers then travel for 16 or 19 minutes on the Schießbergweg/Ramersdorf to Venusberg route.
For the standardized evaluation, so-called "dimensioning controls" were developed, which refer to the most heavily frequented sections of the route. This analysis came to the conclusion that the system offers sufficient capacity even in the morning rush hour. Calculations are also available for the transfer stations (UN Campus, Loki-Schmidt-Platz) in the event of possible crowding at peak times. It was also taken into account that fewer seats are available due to bicycles being taken on board and that cabins could already be occupied by passengers from Beuel. The result: any crowds that might form are cleared after just two minutes, so there are no long waiting times.