In France, what vehicle transports over 700 million passengers per year, in complete safety, and with a low environmental and urban impact? Aerial rope transportation! This transportation method is astonishingly quiet, uses little energy, is low maintenance, and is both economical and eco-friendly. Support towers for lines are positioned every 100 or 200 meters, making the system non-intrusive in most landscapes. The systems are affordable, running at 5 – 7 million euros per kilometer — compared to 18.5 million euros for a bus line, or 25 – 50 million euros for a tramway.
“Mountain Planet-SAM is host to the leading players in the aerial ropeway industry. We are convinced that this gentle means of transportation, which is the aerial equivalent of the underground system and has already demonstrated its success in Brazil, Columbia, Turkey, Russia and Egypt, will be key to development of transportation in future “smart cities”. The Grenelle Environment Forum states that “aerial rope transportation must be encouraged”. However, in France, it remains marginal. We therefore invite policy makers to come and find out about the advantages of this excellent transportation system during Mountain Planet-SAM on 23-25 April 2014 in Grenoble”, states Catherine Calmels, Managing Director for Alpexpo who organizes the trade show.
Sources : OITAF (International Organization for Transportation by Rope), Ski Areas of France
About Mountain Planet-SAM
Mountain Planet-SAM, previously called the International Mountain Development Fair, was established in 1974 in Grenoble, France, a city which hosted the 10th Winter Olympics in 1968. At the origin of this show is a team of people devoted to the mountain (officials, journalists and manufacturers etc.) who wanted to create a place where “man and mountain meet” (slogan at the time).
Ever since, every other year (even-numbered years) Mountain Planet-SAM, the mountain industry’s largest showcase, is held in Grenoble. This major exhibition event is host to professionals in both winter and summer mountain activities, as well as “urban area planners” — notably in aerial rope transportation. The variety and notoriety of the exhibitors, as well as the Mountain Planet-SAM program which includes seminars, debates and conferences, attracts visitors from all over the world.
In 2014, Mountain Planet-SAM will celebrate its 40th birthday. Don’t miss it!
Some figures from SAM 2012:
• 750 exhibitors and brands
• 41,000 m² exhibition area
• 15 industry sectors • 15,747 visitors
• 10% of international visitors
• 59 countries represented
