SUGAR LAND, Texas — The City of Sugar Land is on the move and thinking outside the box when it comes to public transportation needs.
They're hoping to become the first city in the U.S. to build an autonomous elevated cable and rail system.
"This really checks all the boxes for us, it is bold, innovative, trailblazing, and we couldn't be more excited,” City of Sugar Land spokesperson Doug Adolph told us. "We're partnering with a company called Swyft Cities to explore the possibility of implementing a Whoosh system."
What's a Whoosh system?
"Whoosh is a really innovative transportation system that uses small electric vehicles to quickly move people around town,” Adolph explained.
The small electric vehicles resemble gondolas, but we're told they're way more advanced, using autonomous technology to move along a network of elevated fixed cables and rail, allowing for quick trips that are environmentally sustainable.
"It's definitely feasible. We've got the right of way and the infrastructure needed typically creates a very small footprint,” Adolph said.
They’re hoping it’s the solution for the city’s continued growth.
"We've been told for years that mobility is among the top priorities of our citizens,” Adolph said.
An engineering study is now underway.
These futuristic cable cars would likely start at Sugar Land Town Square, Smart Financial Centre and Constellation Park.
"For years we've been studying ways to connect destination centers in our city, not only to meet the mobility needs of our residents but to grow tourism,” said Adolph.
Something Inka Mathew a local shop owner hopes will happen.
"I'm all for it, I think it would make traffic around here much better, and from people traveling from Houston to Sugar Land we'll get more visitors, and it looks like a fun trip to ride that!”
To pay for it the city plans to partner with the private sector and pursue state and federal funding to avoid using tax dollars.
According to the city, the project is still in the early stages. They expect to have the results of the study later this year.