Dr. Eustace Mwarania
Trapos Limited
CABLE CARS FOR URBAN TRANSPORT
 Introduction to Cable Cars
 Application to Urban Transport
 Likoni Express Cable Project
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WHAT IS A CABLE CAR (1/2)
 Aerial lift with cabins supported and propelled by steel cables
 Cable strung between two stations, sometimes with
supporting columns, driven by motorized wheel at terminal
(speeds up to 30km/hr)
 Cabins carry up 40 pax; multiple cars (gondolas) on the same
cable
 Short transit distances (less than 10km)
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WHAT IS A CABLE CAR (2/2)
 Types
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Monocable (load and drive on one cable)
Bicable (load on one cable, drive on other)
3S (latest, load on two cables, drive on one)
 Designed for use in ski resorts 30 years lifetimes
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Technology tested and proven in adverse conditions
Urban centre conditions less challenging
 Examples of cable car systems in urban areas
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BENEFITS OF CABLE TRANSIT (1/2)
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Ease in passing over barriers (jump over)
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Dedicated barrier-free routes
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Water
Existing buildings
No competition with ground systems
Rapid installation and low costs
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3km line Euro @ 20-30m; less than 12 months construction
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No waiting time- cabins leave every 20-30 seconds
 Impressive speeds (upto 27 km/hr guaranteed)
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Westlands stage –GPO (3km) takes 7 minutes @7.5m/s
At 5500 pax per hour either direction equivalent to 110 articulated 100 seater buses
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BENEFITS OF CABLE TRANSIT (2/2)
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High efficiency
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Staff man only terminals
Adjusts to traffic fluctuations by reducing no of cabins or line speed
Saves space

Only support columns required on ground
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Low carbon footprint
 Examples in Rio, Venezuela, London, Koblez
 Lagos project underway at USD 500M live 2015
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Koblenz Video Clip
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LIKONI CABLE EXPRESS PROJECT

Current situation
 Cable solution
 Benefits
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SITUATION AT LIKONI CROSSING
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300,000 commuters need to get on and off island daily
 Ferry service the only access with serious issues
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Site specific conditions make bridge and tunnel unfeasible
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Limited capacity, waiting time 30min- 2 hours or more per direction
Tourists affected making south coast unattractive destination
Development of entire area severely limited by lack of efficient
connection
Over 100 lives lost in several deadly accidents
Habour access requires high clearance bridge
Narrow channel (600m) makes tunnel not possible
Cable system is an ideal solution to site specific restrictions.
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PROPOSED SYSTEM: CABLE ALIGNMENT
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KEY ASPECTS
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100m towers at both ends of ocean holding cable at 80m , length
1370m; 3S technology
Cable speed 7.5m/s crossing time 3min 40 sec
Capacity 5500pax per hour per direction; 28 cabins each 38 persons
Power 430kw max (200kw running)
Operation for 16 hours per day (others tourism related)
Investment value Circa Euro 70M
Fares K.Sh 100 inflation linked
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BENEFITS
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Fast, affordable crossing for everyone
Landmark installation with far reaching scenic views + 20km
Nonstop all weather operations (windspeeds +100kph)
Creation of 50 permanent jobs of all categories of employees of cable
company (200 during construction)
Cable company will be a meaningful tax payer
Millions of hours of commuters and tourists time saved each year
Value land on either side of Likoni will be substantially enhanced
Will have converted an obstacle into a resource
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PROJECT PARTNERS

Public Private Partnership Project
 Technology, Dopplemayr (Austria/Swiss)
 Finance, Africa Infrastructure Investment Managers (SA)
 Feasibility, Cable Car Development (Canada/Swiss)
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TIMELINES
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Urgent need for efficient, reliable and safe crossing
 PPP matters : 6-9 months
 Implementation period 12-18 months
 System could be up end 2015 and is Digital!!
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THE END
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