Cable Propelled Gondola System Operation in Icing Conditions

Abstract

The scope of this study comprehends problems associated with modern urban vehicles known as cable propelled gondolas system operations in icing conditions. The aspects under consideration are problems related to the operations, safety, and maintenance of cable car systems in harsh climate conditions. The geographical location of the gondola cars makes them vulnerable to severe weather conditions especially in cold climates of the northern hemisphere, where icing on its components is an operational, maintenance, and safety concern. The harsh climate conditions can cause unadorned malfunctions posing a threat to the integrity the of system as well as a high risk to human safety. The study basis on the identification of these problems in operational, maintenance and safety domain including implications the industry faces in the form of severe accidents costing precious lives and lost capital. Furthermore, it incorporates the ice detection, anti/de-icing approaches as well as the safety strategies in use nowadays. The massive increase in operations and dynamic climate conditions gondola cars require serious attention. This study unsheathes serious underlying problems that severely affect the gondola operations, makes them prone to major maintenance shutdowns and poses high risk to structural and human safety. The identified problems in this study and severity of risks draw attention to need for practicable solutions incorporating de-icing and ice removal techniques for safe operation of gondolas in cold climates saving time, effort, inconvenience, and prodigious lost capital.