I thought the Schmid Peoplemover was impossible

Summary by Krater

Tom Scott examines the Schmid peoplemover, a rare horizontal-and-vertical elevator installation at a train station in Aulbach, Germany, explaining its mechanical operation and why such systems are uncommon despite their ingenuity.

From the video

Answers: How does the Schmid peoplemover elevator work to move horizontally and vertically?

• Schmid peoplemover elevator mechanism
• Horizontal and vertical elevator engineering
• Train station accessibility solutions
• Cog railway lift systems
• Alternative to footbridges and underpasses

What it concludes

• The Schmid peoplemover uses a suspended cog railway system and counterweight mechanism to transition smoothly from horizontal to vertical movement.
• The installation allowed the train station to become fully accessible for disabled people at a lower cost and with less land usage than an underpass or bridge.
• While the design successfully solves a specific problem, it remains uncommon due to its complexity compared to more reliable alternatives.