RipEX Enhances Cableway Safety in France and Czechia

How do you guarantee constant, deterministic communication for cableways and funiculars operating in tunnels, blind bends and extreme mountain terrain? In both France and Czechia, operators turned to RipEX to ensure the highest level of passenger safety.

RipEX in 160 MHz ensures 100% link availability despite blind bends and tunnels

In the Rhône-Alps region of France, operators of the Saint-Hilaire du Touvet funicular sought to implement a positive-safety communication system. The funicular connects Montfort with the alpine village of Saint-Hilaire du Touvet, climbing 600 metres and famously transporting participants of the Icarus Cup, one of Europe’s largest free-flight festivals.

The challenge:

• the route includes two blind bends and a tunnel, making radio communication extremely difficult
• the system required a continuous “OK” heartbeat from each train every two seconds
• any missed frame must trigger an immediate stop for safety

After evaluating multiple technologies, only RipEX provided a signal with 100% availability, thanks to its exceptional sensitivity and robust performance in obstructed terrain.

How it works:

• each funicular car is equipped with a RipEX radio
• a fixed RipEX acts as the base station
• every two seconds, the train sends an “OK” frame
• if any device sends an alarm or fails to receive its regular heartbeat, the system immediately stops the funicular

The system uses 169.4 MHz, a license-free band under strict conditions. RipEX’s high data rate ensures each frame uses only a few milliseconds – comfortably below the 1% duty cycle limit even with Flexible protocol and acknowledgements.

RipEX at 400 MHz adds a second independent safety system for gondola operations

In Horní Hanychov (Liberec), Easy Control Morava sought to strengthen safety on the gondolas transporting tourists to the top of Ještěd mountain, a major regional landmark with panoramic views into Germany and Poland.

To increase operational safety, a second independent communication channel was required between:

• the gondola drivers, and
• the central control system

Multiple technologies were tested, but only RipEX provided the reliability required for this safety-critical application.

The system architecture:

• each gondola driver communicates with a PLC
• the PLC enforces an emergency stop if communication fails
• the application uses TCP/IP over RipEX
• operation is in the 400 MHz band, using Base Driven protocol and 16DEQAM modulation

Both installations benefited from close cooperation between the operators and RACOM’s support engineers, ensuring smooth deployment and commissioning.

In both France and Czechia, RipEX technology now plays a key role in:

• increasing passenger safety
• delivering stable communications in harsh and obstructed terrain
• enabling deterministic safety logic with immediate reaction
• complying with regulatory and operational requirements

Both operators report high satisfaction with the improved safety levels delivered by RipEX.