Designed with safety mechanisms and high load resistance, many cable car systems around the world still experience unfortunate incidents.
Structure and Operating Principles of Cable Cars
Typically, overhead cable cars consist of one or two fixed cables (known as the track cable), a cable connected to a pulley (called the lift cable), and two passenger cabins. According to Raj Kumar, a transportation engineering expert, cable car systems operate with an “extremely safe” and tightly integrated mechanism.
The fixed cable serves its purpose of supporting the balance of the cabin while the system is in operation. “When the cable runs, it feels like the cabin slides along the cables. However, in reality, it is fixed to most of the system through a component similar to a handle,” Kumar shares.
Image: Two fixed cables of the cable car are on the outside, serving to stabilize and balance. The lift cable in the middle connects to the motor, enabling cabin movement.
To facilitate movement, an electric motor rotates the pulley attached to the lift cable, similar to a pulley system, allowing the cabin to move as desired.
Cable car lines are constructed as a closed-loop system. The cabins travel from one destination to another, propelled by the cable loop. Upon reaching the destination, they change direction and continue back to the starting point.
According to standard design, the terminal station of the cable car must be strong enough to bear the entire system’s weight. However, sometimes excessive tension from the cable car system causes it to transfer some of the load to the ‘bollard’, which is attached to a rock anchor.
This detail is commonly seen in cable car systems in mountainous areas. Their role is to keep the cable taut and prevent sagging due to gravitational effects.
To achieve this, the ‘bollard’ continuously moves up and down to balance the weight as hundreds of people enter and exit the cabin. Meanwhile, rock anchors are embedded into the mountain, providing a solid foundation for the entire cable car system. On average, these anchors can withstand loads of up to 700 tons.
All machinery, including the electric motor providing propulsion, is usually located at the lower station.
The rock anchor is placed at the lowest part of the cable car system, serving to keep the cable taut.
Sometimes, we also encounter cable cars of the “gondola-style” (MDG). In these systems, only one cable is used for support and propulsion. This type of cable car is typically used for short distances and limited passenger capacity.
The advantage of the MDG cable car system is its lower installation and operating costs. However, instead of having only one upper station, there may be several intermediate stations to facilitate continuous cable movement.
Why Do Cable Cars Still Experience Accidents?
At least 14 people died and 1 child was seriously injured in the horrific cable car accident in northern Italy on May 23, 2021. (Photo: AP)
Experts explain that a cable car system operating smoothly, according to principles and ideal conditions, rarely encounters issues.
However, there are numerous factors that can impact cable cars, one of which is environmental influences.
For example, in 2017, a serious cable car breakage occurred at the famous Gulmarg ski resort in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The cause was later identified as severe weather. Specifically, strong winds uprooted a large tree that fell onto the cable car system, causing the cable to snap.
Nevertheless, there are also cases where incidents occur due to human error.
A drilling rig accidentally got caught in the cable car system in Singapore, leading to 7 fatalities. (Photo: ST).
For instance, in 1988, a U.S. Marine Corps aircraft flying at low altitude cut through the cable car at a ski resort in Cavalese, in the Dolomites region, resulting in the deaths of 20 people.
In 1983, a ship carrying a drilling rig accidentally became entangled in the cable car system in Singapore, causing two cabins to fall into the sea at a depth of 55 meters, resulting in 7 deaths.
In 2018, at the Gudauri resort in Georgia, the cable car system unexpectedly changed direction and moved rapidly in the opposite direction, causing dozens of people to be thrown to the ground. The incident was later determined to be due to a technical fault in the cable car operation.
Safety Tips When Using Cable Cars
The Accident Care organization (U.S.) provides several tips for tourists when traveling on cable cars. The first and foremost tip is to increase awareness. As soon as you step into the cable car boarding area, carefully observe the safety instructions provided by the operating company.
Remember the boarding and disembarking rules and the location of emergency equipment, especially adhering to weight limits. Some previous cable car accidents occurred due to exceeding the specified number of passengers, sometimes even doubling the limit.
If the cable car is equipped with safety belts, make sure to use them. Safety belts will help passengers avoid collisions within the cabin in the event of a jolt or sudden stop.
Particularly, passengers should monitor weather conditions. Severe weather such as strong winds or icy conditions can significantly increase the risk of accidents.
According to recommendations from the CDC (U.S.), throughout the ride, passengers should remain seated and avoid unnecessary movements, refraining from leaning or standing while the cable car is in motion.
If an incident occurs, passengers should remain calm and follow the operator’s instructions. First, check communication methods with the service operator or emergency services if needed.
In the rare event of a cable car drop (which is extremely unlikely), if you are prepared, change your sitting position by bending at the knees and finding a secure grip on the most stable part of the cabin.
Never attempt to escape from the cable car without professional assistance, as it can lead to dangerous situations.
