The travelling carpet is not a ropeway but is however subject to the same provisions as the cableways for passenger transport: authorisation before operation and control by the State.

The travelling carpets in ski resorts are used for transportation along relatively short distances. The passengers stand on a continuous or modular band driven by an engine.

A travelling carpet is comprised of a departure station, a moving band transporting the users up to 0.7 m/s and an arrival station including the driving system.

Additionally, the carpet is equipped with safety devices that monitor operation.

There are about 140 carpets installed in France.

The September 15, 2004 regulation provides mandatory provisional technical conditions concerning the construction and the operation of new carpets.

The STRMTG checks that the carpet design fulfils the regulations. It provides a certificate for each carpet design that specifies its conditions of use.

Currently, a new workgroup is in charge of preparing a European standard on the basis of the French regulation. The group is led by Jean-Claude Bonneton of the STRMTG.

To obtain detailed information concerning travelling carpets, click here to see the french website.