ROPEWAY ENGINEERING

INTRODUCTION:-
The first indication of transport using rope comes from the rugged Asiatic countries of
China, Japan, and India. Men used fiber rope to cross the chasms, initially transferring
themselves, hand over hand, with the body suspended by a crude harness. The next
application was to pull oneself in a basket that also had a few belongings of the traveler.
Although Fausto Veranzio of Venice illustrated a bicable passenger ropeway in 1616, the
ropeway industry generally credits Wybe Adam, a Dutchman, with erecting the first
successful operational system in 1644. Early ropeway technology and development were
lead by the Europeans, particularly Germany and the alpine countries, Austria and
Switzerland; later Italy and France. Most rapid development followed introduction of wire
rope and later, the electric drive. Many innovations were introduced by extensive use of
military tramways in the ferocious mountain warfare between Italy and Austria in World
War I.

Ropeway technology and use of wire rope has a long history in North America dating back
to the last century when wire rope was used for transportation applications, such as canal
transport or the famous San Francisco cable cars. Materials ropeways or tramways, once
used extensively in mining operations, find limited use in the United States today. During
the past forty to fifty years, however, the major growth of ropeway systems has been
generated within the ski/recreational industry and most recently for people movers, an
urban transportation application.

A ropeway is a form of naval lifting device used to transport light stores and equipment
across rivers or ravines. It comprises a jackstay, slung between two sheers or gyns, one at
either end, from which is suspended a block and tackle, that is free to travel along the rope
and hauled back and forth by inhauls (ropes attached to the pulley from which the block
and tackle are suspended).

Because they are more stable, in particular in the direction along the ropeway, and because
they require less guying, gyns are better than sheers for supporting a ropeway.

Ropeways" is a general term, all inclusive, used for the various transport systems
qualifying as a ropeway. For example: "The ropeways at XYZ Ski Area are excellent; they
have a large double-reversible aerial tramway with 80 passenger carriers, a six passenger
gondola, a new detachable quad chair lift, two remaining fixed-grip double chair lifts, a T-
bar surface lift, and a wire rope tow.

A ropeway is a system for transporting materials and/or passengers in carriers suspended

from or controlled by ropes. A system would qualify when a rope propels or controls
carrier motion in transit on rail or other fixed support (funicular).
An aerial tramway, sky tram, cable car, ropeway or aerial tram is a type of aerial lift which
uses one or two stationary ropes for support while a third moving rope provides
propulsion. With this form of lift, the grip of an aerial tramway cabin is fixed onto the
propulsion rope and cannot be decoupled from it during operations.

NEED OF ROPEWAY SYSTEM

(ADVANTAGES):-
Low space requirement:-

Ropeways have a small footprint and can easily be integrated into the cityscape.
Towers and stations occupy little space. Dimensions of stations as reference values
for urban planners and architects.
A GREAT VIEW:-

Passengers can enjoy a great view during a trip on an aerial tramway.

EXCLUSIVE ROUTE:-

Tramways always have their own exclusive route, which they do not have to share
with any other means of transport.
CLEARING OBSTACLES:-

Aerial tramways can cross over obstacles in the air.

ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE:-

Ropeways use electrical power and therefore operate in an environmentally friendly

manner. One motor is capable of moving several vehicles. The motor also serves as
an electricity generator during braking. The energy consumption is adapted
according to the number of passengers. Compared with many other transport
systems, ropeways have a positive energy balance.
 (DISADVANTAGES):-

Heavy initial investment & limited load carry.

Limitation as the size & quantity of haul.
Inflexible mode.
No competition.
Derailment can cause more harms to man and machine.

REQUIREMENTS OF ROPEWAY SYSTEM:-

Requirement of land.
Requirement of water.
Requirement of electricity.
Sewage and Solid waste management.
Rehabilitation & Resettlement plan (R&R).
Green Belt.

ELEMENTS OF ROPEWAY:-
Every ropeway has some basic components. Carriers, terminals, towers, ropes, and
evacuation and rescue systems will be briefly discussed.

CARRIERS:-

Carriers are an essential and distinguishing component of every ropeway. On materials

ropeways they are generally buckets. On passenger ropeways they may be large cabins,
usually described by capacity (e g.; two 80 passenger cabins on a double reversible system).
They are almost always totally enclosed. There is usually standing room only at full
capacity; otherwise, seating is optional.

Gondolas are usually totally enclosed for year-round use or (less often) partially enclosed
as in amusement parks. The term is most often preceded by capacity, for example, 6
passenger gondolas.
Chairs are described by capacity such as single, double, triple, quad, 6 passenger, 8
passenger etc. Chairs may have a foot rest and restraining bar (do not call restraining bar
a safety bar).
The carrier for a funicular is large and, generally, seating is provided. It can also be called
a car. It is most often enclosed. Wheels below the carrier support it on fixed steel rails;
carrier motion is controlled by wire rope.
TERMINALS:-

Virtually all ropeways have two terminals. If a vertical change takes place, the terminals
are upper and lower terminals. For ski lifts, the two terminals are referred to as loading
and unloading (or discharge) terminals. Always, there is a drive terminal and a return
(idler) terminal. Either may be a tension terminal where counter- weights or a tensioning
device is located. A loading/unloading structure between terminals is now seldom used. On
material ropeways an intermediate structure could be used to change the otherwise straight
alignment of the ropeway. This called an angle station .

TOWERS:-

Intermediate structures support carrying and haulage ropes between terminals. These are
most often called towers although occasionally they can be a large pressure frame. Seldom
is a pylon used. Towers carry line sheaves (not called wheels and pronounced shiv not
sheev) for moving ropes and/or "saddles" for stationary track ropes.

ROPES:-

The rope is the heart of the ropeway. The rope (almost always a wire rope) is formed by
inter-twining individual wire to form a strand and then the strands to form a rope. There
are many variations of the processes used in manufacturing rope and in choosing the rope
for the application. This is a major concern for rope manufacturers and ropeway
designers. Of more impact to those of us in the Library would be to determine if there are
both a haulage rope and track rope (bicable) or that one rope supports both functions
(monocable). Ropes are generally described by their outside diameter in inches; other
aspects of their construction are not as important. Common usage would be a 1 1/8 inch
haul rope and a 1 7/8 inch track rope for a bicable system or a 1 3/8 inch rope for a
monocable system. Ropes are made endless by using a "long splice" or they are terminated
by attaching an end to a carrier, anchor, or counterweight by use of end connections such
as sockets.

EVACUATION AND RESCUE SYSTEM:-

Aerial ropeways have provision for an auxiliary drive in the event of electric power failure,
usually gasoline or diesel driven. Large reversible have a rescue system which send an
independently powered, small carrier out to remove passengers from a stranded carrier.
Most aerial systems have provision for evacuation of stranded carriers using harness and
rope to lower individual passengers to the ground below.
CLASSIFICATION OF ROPEWAY SYSTEM:-
An individual ropeway is immediately described to identify it from others included under
the general term. The first division is always to identify what the system as intended to
transport: passengers or materials. Materials ropeways or tramways are seldom further
classified other than monocable or bicable systems. In a monocable system, one rope serves
to both support and control the carriers in transit. In a bicable system, separate ropes serve
the two functions: a static support rope or "track cable" and a moving "haul rope."
Passenger ropeways are more extensively classified depending upon operational
characteristics and carriers. The following are most common and each will be briefly
described: aerial tramway, gondola, funicular, detachable chair, fixed grip chair, surface
lift, tows, and unique types.

AERIAL TRAMWAY:-

An aerial tramway uses large carriers or cabins and travels high above ground. The
carrier(s) -- one or single reversible, two or double reversible travel between terminals,
stop, reverse direction and travel back on the same, usually stationary and counter
weighted, track rope. Carriers are said to reciprocate between terminals. These systems are
commonly referred to as "reversible. Some of the large cabin reversible systems are seen
extensively in Europe and in the United States at, among others: Estes Park and Royal
Gorge, Colorado; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Palm Springs, California.

GONDOLA:-

Gondolas are small carriers set at regularly-spaced close intervals. The systems are
continuously circulating with carriers passing around terminal bull-wheels. Carriers
detach from hauling rope in terminals, are decelerated and carried through the unloading
and reloading areas at very slow speed, then accelerated for reattaching to the haulage
rope for high speed travel "on the line" between terminals. These systems are popular in
ski areas and amusement parks. Gondolas can be seen and used at Vail, Steamboat and
other areas in Colorado and quite extensively in ski areas around the United States and
Europe.

FUNICULAR:-

The funicular is controversial among ropeways. It qualifies in that a wire rope controls the
carriers even though a funicular may travel at ground level or on structurally supported
steel tracks. The installation at Royal Gorge, Colorado, is classic. It was built by Otis
Elevator in 1929 and is considered by many as an inclined elevator; but is qualified as a
ropeway and falls under the jurisdiction of the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety
Board.
DETACHABLE CHAIR LIFT:-

Detachable chair lifts are virtually the same as gondolas, but the carrier is a multi-
passenger open chair (usually 4 or more) with restraining bar and footrest. Extremely high
capacity is common for skiers using special arrangements to facilitate loading at a
comfortably slow carrier speed and traveling at a high line speed.

FIXED-GRIP CHAIR LIFT:-

Fixed-grip chair lifts were "standards of the industry" from the early 1940s to the mid
1980s. Multi-passenger carriers circulated between and around terminals at a constant
speed. The drawback was, the carrier speed comfortable for loading and unloading was
slow "on the line" between terminals. Systems were popularly designated by carrier
capacity; e.g. single-chair, double-chair, triple, quad, etc.

SURFACE LIFT:-

Surface lifts are largely used in ski areas to move skiers along the snow surface by means of
an overhead haulage rope with attached towing devices. Further designation was by carrier
type; e.g., disc, J-bar, T-bar, etc. Loading and unloading is accomplished between
terminals with empty carriers circulating around the terminal bull-wheels at constant line
speed.

SPECIAL TYPE:-

Unique and/or special type passenger ropeways are occasionally introduced. The "Funitel",
introduced in Europe ten years ago and now in the United States, is a classic example.

In addition to the classifications as discussed above, ropeways are described and compared
by: operational characteristics, capacity, length and vertical rise, line speed, and loading
speed. Each are briefly discussed here.

OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS:-

Operational characteristics indicate whether the system operation is: continuous

circulating, intermittent circulating (stop to load), or reversible. In continuous circulating,
carriers move around the terminals and maintain their order on the return line; most
commonly, a fixed grip chairlift with carrier speed constant on the line and through the
terminals. An intermittent system slows or stops periodically but carriers eventually go
around a terminal and return on a parallel line. For a reversible, the carriers stop at each
terminal, reverse direction of travel and return on the same line.
CAPACITY:-

Capacity of a ropeway is stated in passengers per hour. Capacity is a function of carrier

capacity, carrier spacing, and the speed of the line at the loading point. A double chair ski
lift with carriers at 60 foot spacing and traveling at 550 feet per minute has a capacity of
1100 passengers per hour.

LENGTH AND VERTICAL RISE:-

Length of a ski lift is considered the slope length between terminals. Vertical rise is the
change in elevation between terminals. Downhill skiers love knowing how much "vertical"
they will ski each time they run between ski terminals. The skiing industry was largely
responsible for introducing a new term to ropeway terminology: vtfh (vertical transport
feet per hour). This is a measure of lift capacity in passengers per hour multiplied times the
vertical rise in feet and divided by 1000.
An older model double chair lift having a capacity of 1200 passengers per hour and a
vertical rise of 800 feet would have a vtfh of 1200 x 800 / 1,000 = 960. Vtfh influences the
horsepower requirement of the drive and therefore, the cost of the lift. It determines the
common classification of large or small. Today a vtfh of 1000 or less would be small; 2000
to 3000 are large and now commonplace.

LINE SPEED AND LOADING SPEED:-

Line speed and loading speed Carrier speed is measured on the line between terminals. If
working with a detachable gondola or chair, the speed at the load or discharge point is
loading speed. Speed "on the line" determines time in transit and speed at loading and
discharge points" facilitates loading and unloading, increasing comfort and safety. Line
speed for fixed grip quad-chairs serving skiers is 450 feet per minute (5 miles per hour); the
same carrier as a detachable system can run 1,150 feet/minute (13 miles per hour). Carrier
speed of loading (or unloading) of a fixed grip system is the same as line speed; for the
detachable it could be 150 feet per minute.
TYPES OF ROPEWAY SYSTEM:-

MONOCABLE JIGBACK ROPEWAY SYSTEM

BI-CABLE JIGBACK ROPEWAY SYSTEM
MONOCABLE GONDOLA
BI-CABLE GONDOLA
CHAIRLIFT
SKILIFT
PULSATING CABLEWAY
FUNICULAR

MONOCABLE JIGBACK:-

About system:-
Simple operation, less expensive, ideally suitable for hilly undulating terrain. But limiting
carrying capacity.

System description:-
Two cabins firmly attached to the rope, one at each terminal station but on the opposite
sides. Once driven they start moving in opposite direction. Once the cabins reach the
respective terminal, the system stops automatically. After deboarding of passenger and
boarding of fresh ones, the drive is restarted in reverse direction, jig back movement thus
continues.
Capacity can be augmented by incorporating one/two additional cabins side by side.

Cabin capacity:-
6-10 persons. 100-500 PPH depending on the route and length.

Advantages:-
Simple system.
Low operation and maintenance cost.
Low investment.
 BI-CABLE JIGBACK:-

About system:-
This is the most popular system for passenger ropeway in Europe and can be adapt length
and terrain condition.

System description:-
Two cabins/carriages supported on a rope and are firmly attached to a haulage rope, one
cabins/carriages at each terminal station, travel in opposite directions simultaneously
starting from and stopping at terminals.

Cabin capacity:-
4, 6, 8 and 10 person.
Passenger Ropeway Maximum 800 PPH for short distance.
Material Ropeway Maximum 300 TPH for short distance.

Advantages:-
Simple system.
Low maintenance cost and low operation.
Low ground clearance required.

MONOCABLE GONDOLA:-

About system:-
This is the most popular system for passenger ropeway in Europe and can be adapt length
and terrain condition.

System description:-
In this system a single endless continuous moving rope supported on intermediate tower
rollers carry the gondolas cabins, spaces at equal intervals. The incoming cabin to the
terminal stations and disengages from the rope and moves on the shut rail. The passengers
board/deboard and the cabins move to the launching side, engages to the rope and move
towards the other terminal station and follows the same procedure.

Cabin capacity:-
4, 6, 8 and 10 person.
Passenger Ropeway Maximum 800 PPH for short distance.
Material Ropeway Maximum 1200-1500 TPH for short distance

Advantages:-
High transport capacity.
 BI-CABLE GONDOLA:-

About systems:-
This is the most popular system for passenger ropeway in Europe and can be adapt length
and terrain condition.

System description:-
In this system a single endless continuous moving haulage rope are attached to the gondola
cabins, spaces at equal intervals and the cabins are supported on a track rope. The
incoming cabin to the terminal stations and disengages from the rope and moves on the
shut rail. The passengers board/deboard and the cabins move to the launching side,
engages to the rope and move towards the other terminal station and follows the same
procedure.

Cabin capacity:-
4, 6, 8 and 10 person.
Passenger Ropeway Maximum 2500 PPH for short distance.
Material Ropeway Maximum 700 TPH for short distance.

Advantages:-
Simple system.
Low maintenance cost and low operation.
Low ground clearance required.
Comfortable boarding/deboarding and ride.

CHAIR LIFT:-

About Systems:-
For Aerial transportation, this system is widely used in hilly areas especially in the winter
resort.

System description:-
This is monocable endless continuously circulating system, hauling the chairs clamped to
the rope with detachable/fixed grips at specific intervals. In between the terminals, the rope
is supported on sheaves mounted on towers.

Cabin capacity:-
The most common chairlift system is the twin seater chair cars, but the cars can be of 3 to 6
person capacity also. Their capacity ranges between 50 to 1200 PPH.
Advantages:-
Low capital cost.
Simple in construction.
Flexibility in the system design.
Continuous transportation of passengers.

PULSATING CABLEWAY SYSTEM:-

About system:-
The company offers pulsating system if the same appear to have specific advantage over
jig back system.

System description:-
Although the pulsating system which appeared in the 70s/80s have disappeared in the
developed world over the last decade, because the high capacity multiple cabin (10
seaters) Jig back system, now in place are capable of providing capacity requirement in
pulsating system. Pulsating system are mostly identical to jig back system and normally
does not have an advantage over the jig back system.

CONSTRUCTION OF ROPEWAYS:-
The stations, the line, the vehicles and the garaging system are the main components of
ropeways; they are made up of different standard or special elements.

During the tendering phase for an installation, the sales manager of a ropeway company
collates all the requirements of the customer. With the support of the technical office,
suitable proposals are then drawn up to fulfill these requirements.

After the signing of the contract, a working group is formed and a project manager
nominated.
The project manager is responsible for ensuring that the defined project objectives are met.
These objectives are discussed with the working group during the kick-off meeting and
the project is then launched.

Before the implementation commences, all the technical documents, such as drawings,
calculations and reports, will be produced so that the installation can be approved. These
documents are then used for production purposes and the acquisition of the components as
well as for the construction and assembly work.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:-

I have taken efforts in this project. However, it would not have been possible without the
kind support and help of many individuals and organizations. I would like to extend my
sincere thanks to all of them.

I am highly indebted Mr. RK Sharma for their guidance and constant supervision as well
as for providing necessary information regarding the project & also for their support in
completing the project.
I would like to express my gratitude towards my parents & member of RITES LTD. for
their kind co-operation and encouragement which help me in completion of this project.
I would like to express my special gratitude and thanks to industry persons for giving me
such attention and time.
My thanks and appreciations also go to my colleague in developing the project and people
who have willingly helped me out with their abilities.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS:-

Introduction

Need of Ropeway

Requirements of Ropeway

Elements of Ropeway

Classification of Ropeway

Operational characteristics

Type of Ropeway

Construction of Ropeway

Application areas of Ropeway