Posts Tagged: Education

13
Nov

2009

Basic Lesson 3: Aerial Trams & Funiculars

There are two minor sub-groups of CPT technology:  Aerial Trams and Funiculars.

Aerial Trams are like larger Gondolas.  I’ll discuss this technology in greater detail later.

Generally speaking, however, Aerial Trams are (relative to Gondolas) an out-dated mode of Cable-Propelled Transit.  Compared with Gondola technology, Aerial Trams exhibit longer wait times between vehicles; lower line capacity; an inability to turn corners; and little potential for intermediary stations.

Ironically, Aerial Trams are on average more expensive than Gondola technology despite their numerous short-comings.  They are a high-cost, low-value technology.

Aerial Tram

Aerial Tram

Funiculars, on the other hand, are very similar to Cable Cars except Funiculars are used almost exclusively to ascend steep inclines.  In fact, you’ll often find Funiculars referred to as Inclined Rails.

The incline of the vehicle is equivalent to the incline of the bottom-supporting guideway while standing and seating areas are at a flat incline relative to the horizon.

Traditional trains and rail lines are incapable of ascending greater-than-10-degree inclines which gives Funiculars are decided advantage.

Funicular

Funicular (Inclined Rail)

Again, like in the previous post in the Basic Lessons series, because there has never been a CPT typology, people often incorrectly refer to Funiculars and Aerial Trams as Cable Cars.

Proceed to Basic Lesson 4 to learn about Support

Return to Basic Lesson 2 to learn about Gondolas & Cable Cars

Creative Commons images by Phillie Casablanca and Les Chatfield



Want more? Purchase Cable Car Confidential: The Essential Guide to Cable Cars, Urban Gondolas & Cable Propelled Transit and start learning about the world's fastest growing transportation technologies.

10
Nov

2009

Basic Lesson 2: Gondolas & Cable Cars

There are two major sub-groups of Cable-Propelled Transit (CPT) technology:  Gondolas and Cable Cars.

Gondolas are supported and propelled from above by cables.  Most people are familiar with this technology as used in alpine ski-resorts, however it is finding increased usage in non-alpine urban regions.

Gondola

Gondola

Cable Cars on the other hand, are supported and propelled from below.  Propulsion is provided by a cable whereas support is provided by rails of varying configurations.

Cable Car

Cable Car

Cable Car

Cable Car

It’s important to understand that since there has never existed an exact typology for Cable-Propelled Transit, people tend to use the terms Gondola and Cable Car interchangeably.  Hopefully, The Gondola Project can help solve that problem.

Remember:  Gondolas are from above and Cable Cars are from below.  That’s all you need to know.

Proceed to Basic Lesson 3 to learn about Aerial Trams & Funiculars

Return to Basic Lesson 1 to learn the definition of Cable Propelled Transit

Creative Commons images by borkur.net, Dede90 and Matthew Black



Want more? Purchase Cable Car Confidential: The Essential Guide to Cable Cars, Urban Gondolas & Cable Propelled Transit and start learning about the world's fastest growing transportation technologies.

07
Nov

2009

Basic Lesson 1: What is Cable-Propelled Transit?

Simply speaking, Cable-Propelled Transit (CPT) is a transit technology that moves people in motor-less, engine-less vehicles that are propelled by a steel cable.

Proceed to Basic Lesson 2 to learn about Gondolas & Cable Cars



Want more? Purchase Cable Car Confidential: The Essential Guide to Cable Cars, Urban Gondolas & Cable Propelled Transit and start learning about the world's fastest growing transportation technologies.