New Zealand has announced an innovative transportation system Whoosh. It is designed to change the idea of urban transportation.
The Whoosh system will resemble a ski elevator. Each capsule of the system will move along a stationary network of cables and rails using an electric motor. The average speed will be 40 km/h.
The cabins will have a mechanism that allows quick switching between cables and suspension rails. They will be equipped with a stabilization system to ensure ride comfort even in strong winds. “Smart” windows will automatically darken to preserve the privacy of passengers as they pass residential buildings.
Construction will begin as early as next year in Queenstown. This city was chosen as an ideal test site because of its poor traffic situation. Users will be able to summon the pods on demand via a special app or ticket vending machines.
The implementation of the Whoosh network will cost $5,000,000 per km. The system is expected to be launched as early as 2027. Its fares will be higher than those of public transportation. However, the final cost of the service has not yet been determined.