Slope car

A slope car (スロープカー, surōpukā) is a small automated monorail, or a fusion between monorail, people mover, and rack railway. It is a brand name of Kaho Manufacturing. Since this mode of transportation is relatively unknown, it lacks widely accepted generic name, other than the simple "monorail". The system is different from normal modern monorails in many ways. It is a development from industrial monorails used in 1960s orchards. Slope cars are installed in more than 80 places in Japan and South Korea.[1]

Slope car at Muya Bus Stop, Naruto, Tokushima
Rakuraku-gō, a slope car at Gifu Prefectural Museum, Seki, Gifu

Overview
Slope car at Wespa Tsubakiyama, Fukaura, Aomori

The system is introduced generally when there are steep slopes or stairs between entrance gates and buildings. Slope cars generally function as amenities that provide accessibilities for elderly or handicapped people visiting particular places, such as parks, golf courses, or hotels. As most lines move fairly slowly, people without disabilities often find it faster to walk the same routes on foot, rather than to use slope cars. However, there are also places where slope cars climb very steep slopes which people without disabilities can not climb unless there are stairs. In Japan, slope cars are not legally considered as railways.

System

There is a type that is 3 m (9 ft 10 in) long, having a 4 to 8 passengers capacity, and another type that is 6 m (19 ft 8+1⁄4 in) long, having around 30 passengers capacity. Some slope cars are "trainsets" consisting of two cars. Most slope cars are straddle-beam monorails, but there are suspended monorail slope cars as well.[2] Normal monorails generally use rubber tyres running on a concrete beam, while slope cars use a steel beam with a rack rail on one side. As such, slope cars can climb 100% (45°) slopes at maximum speed. The system is powered by a "third rail" on the other side of the beam.

The system does not require a driver. A car starts when a user pushes a button, and it automatically stops at the selected destination.

History

In 1966, Yoneyama Industory, an agricultural machinery maker in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, invented "Monorack" (モノラック, Monorakku), a freight-only rack monorail system. It soon became widespread in mikan citrus orchards in the prefecture, and in other parts of Japan. Other makers also started to build similar systems. Later in 1990, a company called Chigusa developed a passenger rack monorail system. These rack monorails were first used to transport workers in construction sites or forests. However, from 1990s, public facilities such as parks also started to use the system. Kaho Manufacturing started to sell their "slope cars" in 1990.

Similar systems were designed for vineyards in Switzerland and Germany in the 1960s. These were also transporting workers from the start. The brand name Monorack is used here for the Graventa Monorackbahn since 1976. The main difference is the type of rail being used - the Japanese systems use 4 cm (1.6 in) and the European systems use 6 cm (2.4 in) square tubing.[3] The cooperation between Nikkari in Japan and Habegger in Switzerland started in 1975, so the Monorack tractors are mostly identical.[4][3][5]

Other names

As "slope car" is the brand name of Kaho Manufacturing, similar, if not the same, concepts are called differently by different manufacturers.

  • Ansaku makes Trans Mobile (トランスモービル, Toransu Mōbiru).
  • Chigusa makes Raxcar (ラックスカー, Rakkusukā).
  • Monorail Industry makes Monorider (モノライダー, Monoraidā).
  • Senyō Kōgyō makes Mountain Liner (マウンテンライナー, Maunten Rainā).
  • EMTC of Korea makes the Mountain Type (which has two rails) and the monorail Inclined Type and Locomotive Type[6]
  • Doppelmayr Garaventa makes the Monorack for agricultural use. They say they have installed 650 systems worldwide.[7]

Slope cars are similar in some ways to personal rapid transit systems in that they offer on-demand service for individuals or small numbers of passengers.

List of slope cars
Facility, line name Function Diagonal line length (m) Diagonal line length (ft) Speed (km/h) Speed (mph) Maximum gradient Passenger capacity Opening year Location
168 stairs MonorailAccessibility 60 200 2.1 1.3 42° 8 2016 Choryang-dong, Dong District, Busan, South Korea
Aburagi DamDam 87 285 2.1 1.3 45° 6 2002 Soeda, Fukuoka
Aburayama Golf CourseGolf course 96 315 2.1 1.3 21° 4 2004 Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Akagi Kōgen Highland Pasture KronenbergZorbing 70 230 4.8 3.0 11° 2003 Shibukawa, Gunma
Ashikita Kaihin Sōgō ParkZorbing 140 460 4.8 3.0 15° 2003 Ashikita, Kumamoto
Amanohashidate ViewlandPark 393 1,289 3.3 2.0 25° 40[8] Miyazu Bay, Kyoto
Ashikita Kaihin Sōgō ParkZorbing 153 502 5.1 3.2 11°40′ 2005 Ashikita, Kumamoto
Bay Hill View ChayagadaiDiagonal elevator 30 98 1.8 1.1 24° 4 1999 Ōita, Ōita
Bukkō-ji TempleAccessibility 38 125 1.8 1.1 29 6 2005 Kyōto, Kyōto
Bukkoku-ji TempleAccessibility 90 300 2.4 1.5 15° 4 2004 Sendai, Miyagi
Cactus Herb ParkPark 191 627 4.8 3.0 19°30′ 30 1995 Nichinan, Miyazaki
Changwon Country ClubGolf course 60 200 1997 Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do,
South Korea
Funaoka Castle ParkPark 305 1,001 4.8 3.0 18° 40 1996 Shibata, Miyagi
Garden Sight Sakurajima, Sakurajima-gōDiagonal elevator 27 89 1.7 1.0 32°30′ 8 2001 Kagoshima, Kagoshima
Gassan DamDam 166 545 2.7 1.7 35°32′ 8 1994 Tsuruoka, Yamagata
Genkai IslandAccessibility 47 154 2.1 1.3 33° 2 1998 Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Gifu Prefectural Museum, Rakuraku-gōDiagonal elevator 87 285 4.8 3.0 13° 8 2002 Seki, Gifu
Gohan-eup MonorailAccessibility 206 676 3.53 2.19 16° 12 2009 Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Grandee Nasu Shirakawa Golf ClubGolf course 50 160 2.4 1.5 17° 6 2005 Nishigō, Fukushima
Haenam TtangkkutPark 8 26 0.9 0.6 26°50′ 2005 Haenam, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Haenam TtangkkutPark 395 1,296 3.6 2.2 23°30′ 40 2005 Haenam, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Hamamatsu Flower ParkPark 59.8 196 3.0 1.9 25° 16 2020[9] Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka
Hamyang Daebongsan monorailPark 3,930 12,890 2020[10] Hamyang County, South Korea
Hanatateyama OnsenPark 99 325 3.0 1.9 15° 8 2004 Chikuzen, Fukuoka
Hanawa Ski ResortSki resort 212 696 5.4 3.4 28° 10 1996 Kazuno, Akita
Hayakuchi DamDam 200 660 1.5 0.9 45° 2 2003 Ōdate, Akita
Hinokidai DanchiAccessibility 87 285 3.9 2.4 22° 6 2000 Sasebo, Nagasaki
Hotel HatsuhanaPark 30 98 1.8 1.1 29°50′ 6 2005 Hakone, Kanagawa
Hwaam CavePark 527 1,729 6.6 4.1 20° 2003 Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Hwanseongul CavePark 600 2,000 2006 Samcheok, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Iiyama Ski JumpSki resort 136 446 5.4 3.4 27° 8 1999 Iiyama, Nagano
Iizuka City Chikuho Community CenterAccessibility 17 56 0.9 0.6 29° 3 1997 Iizuka, Fukuoka
Ikawa X ParkZorbing 82 269 3.9 2.4 18° 2004 Miyoshi, Tokushima
Inaniwa Castle KonjakukanPark 237 778 4.0 2.5 33°30′ 24 1993 Yuzawa, Akita
Iya OnsenDiagonal elevator 3.0 1.9 42° 2004 Miyoshi, Tokushima
Jōō-ji TempleAccessibility 31 102 2.1 1.3 29° 4 2002 Taku, Saga
Kannondaki Park, Kajika-kunPark 202 663 4.8 3.0 13° 10 1997 Satsuma, Kagoshima
Kayase DamDam 231 758 1.5 0.9 45° 2 1999 Isahaya, Nagasaki
Kunimi Forest ParkPark 800 2,600 3.6 2.2 35° 40 2006 Shisō, Hyōgo
Kwangju Country ClubGolf course 70 230 2002 Gokseong, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Maruoka ParkPark 236 774 3.0 1.9 15° 10 2005 Kirishima, Kagoshima
Mashiki Country ClubGolf course 73 240 3.6 2.2 24° 4 1992 Mashiki, Kumamoto
Masutani DamDam 172 564 1.5 0.9 36° 2 2003 Minamiechizen, Fukui
Minami Kiyosato Flower ParkPark 185 607 3.6 2.2 25°30′ 20 2000 Hokuto, Yamanashi
Minamihata DamDam 79 259 2.1 1.3 28° 6 2003 Nakagawa, Fukuoka
Minaminooka Memorial ParkAccessibility 52 171 2.1 1.3 24°30′ 6 2004 Yokohama, Kanagawa
Misawa Adonis Golf ClubGolf course 99 325 3.0 1.9 33° 4 1994 Ena, Gifu
Miyamoto residenceAccessibility 19 62 1.5 0.9 28° 2 1992 Hisayama, Fukuoka
Mizutori-gōAccessibility 60 200 0.9 0.6 29° 2 2002 Nagasaki, Nagasaki
Moritate ConstructionAccessibility 14 46 0.6 0.4 45° 2 1999 Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Mount Hiko, Mount Hiko Slope CarPark 849 2,785 4.8 3.0 18° 80 2005 Soeda, Fukuoka
Muya Bus Stop, SloppyDiagonal elevator 161 528 9.6 6.0 5°40′ 20 2002 Naruto, Tokushima
Mount InasayamaPark 521 1,709 4.8 3.0 21° 40 2020[11] Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture
Naengcheon Country ClubGolf course 110 360 2003 Daegu, South Korea
Nagasaki Subtropical Botanical GardenPark 380 1,250 3.0 1.9 10° 20 1996 Nagasaki, Nagasaki
Nakadake DamDam 125 410 1.8 1.1 35° 2 2006 Soo, Kagoshima
Namgwangju Country ClubGolf course 40 130 2001 Hwasun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Nanakura DamDam 96 315 2.1 1.3 45° 4 1993 Ōmachi, Nagano
Nanreku Shōken-yama ParkPark 203 666 6.0 3.7 11°30′ 12 1990 Ainan, Ehime
Ogasayama Sports Park EcopaPark Fukuroi, Shizuoka
Okuhagi Honjin GardenPark 453 1,486 4.2 2.6 25° 24 1990 Hagi, Yamaguchi
Okutadami DamDam 228 748 4.8 3.0 21° 40 1997 Uonuma, Niigata
Ōtaki DamDam 101 331 2.7 1.7 50° 6 1997 Kawakami, Nara
Passage Kinkai Island Golf ClubGolf course 95 312 3.0 1.9 22° 5 1997 Nagasaki, Nagasaki
Rusutsu ResortSki resort 480 1,570 10.8 6.7 9°30′ 36 1998 Rusutsu, Hokkaidō
Saga Sōgō GroundAccessibility 8 26 0.9 0.6 35° 2 1999 Saga, Saga
Sakura-gōAccessibility 50 160 0.9 0.6 33° 2 2003 Nagasaki, Nagasaki
Sanbōdai SchanzeSki resort 145 476 5.4 3.4 28° 8 1997 Shibetsu, Hokkaidō
Sanda Onsen Kumano no SatoPark 43 141 3.0 1.9 14° 8 2006 Sanda, Hyōgo
Sazanka Kōgen Pincnic Park, Kōgen MonorailPark 402 1,319 6.0 3.7 17° 20 1995 Isahaya, Nagasaki
Sazanka Kōgen Pincnic Park, Kōgen MonorailPark 280 920 6.0 3.7 14° 16 1993 Isahaya, Nagasaki
Shin Takasegawa DamDam 102 335 2.1 1.3 30° 4 1996 Ōmachi, Nagano
Shirahama Mermaid TownAccessibility 69 226 2.1 1.3 24° 4 2000 Shirahama, Wakayama
Shōkaien Care House ToyonosatoAccessibility 48 157 1.8 1.1 36°9′ 16 2001 Mizumaki, Fukuoka
Siesta PatioPark 213 699 4.8 3.0 16° 15 2000 Taku, Saga
Soeda Park, SakuraPark 181 594 3.6 2.2 17° 16 1991 Soeda, Fukuoka
Sugiyama residence, Noboru-kunAccessibility 20 66 1.5 0.9 28° 2 1996 Shizuoka, Shizuoka
Sun Village AkaneSki resort 46 151 2.4 1.5 30° 12 1995 Iizuka, Fukuoka
Tachibana Thermal Power PlantAccessibility 27 89 0.9 0.6 27° 2 2000 Anan, Tokushima
Takasakiyama Natural Zoological GardenPark 250 820 3.6 2.2 9°30′ 40 2003 Ōita, Ōita
Takasegawa DamDam 104 341 2.1 1.3 45° 4 1994 Ōmachi, Nagano
Takayama DamDam 72 236 1.5 0.9 42° 8 2006 Minamiyamashiro, Kyōto
Takeo Onsen Hoyōmura, Skybus Noboru-kunPark 488 1,601 4.2 2.6 23° 16 1993 Takeo, Saga
Tenjin DamDam 96 315 1.5 0.9 45° 2 1999 Miyakonojō, Miyazaki
Tenjin-kunAccessibility 60 200 0.9 0.6 29° 2 2002 Nagasaki, Nagasaki
Tsunagi Onsen ShikisaiPark 56 184 2.1 1.3 32°30′ 6 1994 Tsunagi, Kumamoto
Ueda Women's Junior College Tea HouseAccessibility 58 190 2.4 1.5 22° 2 2005 Ueda, Nagano
Ulsan Country ClubGolf course 32 105 4.8 3.0 12° 6 2005 Ulsan, South Korea
Ulsan Country ClubGolf course 135 443 1993 Ulsan, South Korea
Urayama DamAccessibility 216 709 2.7 1.7 45° 2 1998 Chichibu, Saitama
Wakato HospitalDiagonal elevator 94 308 3.0 1.9 9°15′ 4 1992 Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka
Watanabe residenceAccessibility 25 82 0.9 0.6 31° 2 1998 Minoo, Ōsaka
Wespa TsubakiyamaPark 572 1,877 4.8 3.0 25° 40 2000 Fukaura, Aomori
Yamano HotelPark 36 118 2.4 1.5 36° 6 2004 Takayama, Gifu
Yeongju-dong Oreumgil MonorailAccessibility 70 230 3.6 2.2 20° 8 2014 Yeongju-dong, Jung District, Busan, South Korea
Yoichi Ski JumpSki resort 129 423 5.4 3.4 30° 8 1999 Yoichi, Hokkaidō
Yong-in Country ClubGolf course 100 330 2001 Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Yong-in Country ClubGolf course 78 256 2001 Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Zaō Ski JumpSki jump 200 660 5.4 3.4 35° 10 2001 Yamagata, Yamagata

See also

References
  1. Delivery results search Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine at Kaho Manufacturing's official website yields more than 80 cases (slope cars only).
  2. "斜面走行モノレール・スロープカーは嘉穂製作所". Archived from the original on 2007-08-24. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  3. Thomas Pösch (2021-12-02). "Moderne Methoden zur Erschließung steilster Weinberge an der Untermosel, am Beispiel der Monorackeinschienenzahnradbahn" [modern methods for accessibility of steepest vineyards in the Lower Mosel region by example of Monorack monorail rack rail] (PDF). Diplomarbeit (master thesis) (in German). Fachhochschule Mainz / ARGE Landentwicklung. Retrieved 2022-10-03. Der größte Unterschied zwischen der japanischen Monorailbahn und der europäischen Monorackbahn besteht in der Schiene. Die japanischen Modelle fahren auf einer Schiene von 4 cm Kantenlänge, während die Schienen in der Schweiz und später auch in Deutschland eine Kantenlänge von 6 cm haben. Der Traktor ist vom Aufbau her nahezu gleich.
  4. "Nikkari - Works History". Retrieved 2022-10-17. 1966: Developed the first mono-rail carrier for steep slopes for agricultural use (Monorack) in Japan / 1975: Technical cooperation with HABEGGER Maschinenfabrik AG. a mono-rail manufacturer and seller in Switzerland / 2010: Developed a battery-powered mono-rail for one passenger
  5. Note: Nikkari adopted the name in 1973 while Habegger was sold to Van Roll in 1981. Graventa bought the rope business from Van Roll in 1996 including the Monorack systems.
  6. "Smart Monorail". Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  7. "Monorack Ecofriendly, energy-saving and compact A transport solution of the special kind". Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  8. "天橋立ビューランド（京都府）". Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  9. "浜松フラワーパーク様に納入しました。". Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  10. "The longest monorail in Korea'Hamyang Daebongsan Recreation Valley' opened at the end of August". tekdeeps. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  11. "稲佐山様に納入しました。". Retrieved 2021-08-15.
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