Overhead Cable Car Gondola Frequently Asked Questions
Informational document addressing safety, weather constraints, accessibility, and operational capacity of the proposed gondola.
Overhead Cable Car Gondola over Esquimalt Harbour to Colwood
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an aerial cable car gondola? This is a higher than normal, more stable gondola system than usually found in ski resorts. This system generally requires a straight line and three continuous parallel steel ropes with a diameter of 1.7 inches , which is carried on rubber lined wheels supported by steel towers about 65 meters high , well above the tree canopy. Passenger gondola cabin cars are loaded and unloaded at the terminal station at slow speed with staff assistance at either end. After being accelerated in the station, the cabins attach to a moving cable which travels at about 7.5 m/second, about 16mph or 25 kph.
How safe is the gondola system for passengers? Aerial cableways are perhaps the safest means of human transport in the world considering operation hours or passenger miles.
Will the gondola cable car run year round? Yes, 7 days a week, with a week off in the summer for annual maintenance. The gondola would probably run up to 15 hours a day,
Can the overhead cable car gondola operate on windy days? The cable car gondola can operate safely at full speed in cross winds of up to 60 km/h and at reduced speed up to 80 km/h.Another such system has a wind resistance up to 75 mph (120 kph) with no decrease in performance.
Will rain affect operation of the gondola? No the cabins are enclosed so passengers are protected from the weather, and station terminals have roofs.
Is the cable car gondola handicap accessible ? Yes, the cabins are designed to have level entry so that clients in wheelchairs or people with strollers can roll on and off. The size of the cabin car vary from 8 passengers to 22 seated.
What is the spacing between towers ? Specific tower locations, tower heights and cable profiles are somewhat flexible, depending on building locations, and to minimize conservation area impacts and sensitive ecosystems.
Can you hear the gondola passing overhead? The cable run on rubber lined sheave wheels , it is unlikely that a person would even be aware of the gondola passing overhead , especially if walking under substantial tree canopy.
What are the benefits of this proposal? Reduced transportation generated green house gas and CO2 emissions. This alternative mode of transit provides a reliable new choice for commuters and transit riders. Less traffic congestion on Old Island Highway, Admirals Road, Craigflower Road. Faster and shorter time to commute east/west during the AM and PM peak periods to DND Dockyard and Victoria. Improved tourist transit access to Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Park year round from Victoria and Colwood. Integration with B C Transit bus routes in the West Shore and Esquimalt with a modern innovative pleasant travel and viewing experience.
What happens if there is a power outage? There will be auxiliary diesel engines in case of a power outage.
What is the carrying capacity of the Cable car gondola? Maximum capacity of the systems quite high, from 2,800 people per hour up to 4,100 people per hour travelling concurrently in both directions. Gondola cabin availability is almost on demand, every 45 seconds.