On May 7, 2025, in the context of the international Interalpin trade fair held in Innsbruck (A) at the Congress Center, the seminar organized by OITAF Study Committee III “Electrotechnical Equipment of Ropeway Installations” took place, titled: AI – Is the ropeway industry facing a structural revolution? Over 200 participants from 20 countries attended and, thanks to simultaneous interpretation, were able to follow the presentations in one of four available languages. The seminar was moderated by the committee chairman, Erich Megert of Sisag AG (CH).
The series of presentations was ope-ned by Dipl. Eng. Günter Tschinkel, head of the electrical installations department at Leitner S.p.A., who introduced the historical back-ground of AI, highlighting its possibilities and risks. This was followed by an overview of AI – Application to road transport systems, where the demands on AI are even more com-plex than in ropeway systems, presented by Dipl. Eng. Léo Maisonobe of the French supervisory authority STRMTG. The connections between transport systems and ropeway installations were also outlined.
An insightful presentation followed: AI – An operator’s point of view, delivered by Fabian Imboden, operations director at Zermatt Bergbahnen AG (CH), one of the first ropeway companies to adopt AI-based monito-ring of the chairlift unloading area. Positive results were observed in the subsequent years of unattended ope-ration. All ancillary aspects necessary for implementing such a system were discussed, including user expectations.
After the break, Dipl. Eng. Marco Zgraggen of Sisag AG (CH) continued with AI – Support for software development, engineering, and operations. In operational monitoring, planning, and strategy, AI can forecast tourist flows on lifts and slopes, as well as in restaurants during peak days, and predict maintenance and energy needs.
The next topic, AI – Transferring operator knowledge and experience into AI, was presented by MSc ETH Carl Biagosch of start-up Mantis Ropeway Technologies and Dipl. Eng. Jari Höck of Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH. The development of the system began in 2018 with data and image collection and analysis of user behavior at chairlift unloading. The system replaces staff monitoring at the unloading station. Eight installations have already been implemented, with eight more plan-ned in 2025. It relies on cameras capturing multiple angles and AI-powered computer vision algorithms to monitor the unloading phases and trigger slowdowns or emergency stops when needed. A recent development in chairlift monitoring was also mentioned: stopping the chair in a still-safe zone in case of improper behavior during boarding or incorrect seating position, to avoid excessive fall heights. This significantly increases safety, especially in combination with staff presence at the boarding station. Likewise, positive experiences with unattended gondola lift sta-tions were noted.
The final presentation, AI – Innovations in image recognition, was delivered by Dipl. Eng. Fabrice Aubuoy of Bluecime (F) and Mathieu Babaz of Poma (F). They shared positive outcomes of their systems even at manned chairlift stations, where they monitor the correct closing of the safety bar and proper seating position at specific points in the boarding zone. This system has also been applied to older lifts. During the closing discus-sion, the question was raised whether statistics exist showing a reduction in incidents in the boarding areas of lifts equipped with such systems compa-red to those without. The presenters admitted that no systematic comparative analysis exists yet, though it would be worthwhile.
This was a highly engaging seminar, professionally prepared and organized by Study Committee III chairman Erich Megert.
