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, however, 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]

Overview

As the name suggests, 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 10.1 in) long, having a 4 to 8 passengers capacity, and another type that is 6 m (19 ft 8.2 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 seleted 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 wide spread 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.

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).

List of slope cars

D: Diagonal line length

M: Maximum gradient

P: Passenger capacity

O: Opening year

Facility, line name	Function	D	Speed	M	P	O	Location
Aburagi Dam	Dam	87 m (285.4 ft)^*	2.1 km/h 1.3 mph	45°	6	2002	Soeda, Fukuoka
Aburayama Golf Course	Golf course	96 m (315.0 ft)^*	2.1 km/h 1.3 mph	21°	4	2004	Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Akagi Kōgen Highland Pasture Kronenberg	Zorbing	70 m (229.7 ft)^*	4.8 km/h 3.0 mph	11°		2003	Shibukawa, Gunma
Ashikita Kaihin Sōgō Park	Zorbing	140 m (459.3 ft)^*	4.8 km/h 3.0 mph	15°		2003	Ashikita, Kumamoto
Ashikita Kaihin Sōgō Park	Zorbing	153 m (502.0 ft)^*	5.1 km/h 3.2 mph	11°40′		2005	Ashikita, Kumamoto
Bay Hill View Chayagadai	Diagonal elevator	30 m (98.4 ft)^*	1.8 km/h 1.1 mph	24°	4	1999	Ōita, Ōita
Bukkō-ji Temple	Accessibility	38 m (124.7 ft)^*	1.8 km/h 1.1 mph	29°	6	2005	Kyōto, Kyōto
Bukkoku-ji Temple	Accessibility	90 m (295.3 ft)^*	2.4 km/h 1.5 mph	15°	4	2004	Sendai, Miyagi
Cactus Herb Park	Park	191 m (626.6 ft)^*	4.8 km/h 3.0 mph	19°30′	30	1995	Nichinan, Miyazaki
Changwon Country Club	Golf course	60 m (196.9 ft)^*				1997	Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea
Funaoka Castle Park	Park	305 m (1,000.7 ft)^*	4.8 km/h 3.0 mph	18°	40	1996	Shibata, Miyagi
Garden Sight Sakurajima, Sakurajima-gō	Diagonal elevator	27 m (88.6 ft)^*	1.7 km/h 1.0 mph	32°30′	8	2001	Kagoshima, Kagoshima
Gassan Dam	Dam	166 m (544.6 ft)^*	2.7 km/h 1.7 mph	35°32′	8	1994	Tsuruoka, Yamagata
Genkai Island	Accessibility	47 m (154.2 ft)^*	2.1 km/h 1.3 mph	33°	2	1998	Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Gifu Prefectural Museum, Rakuraku-gō	Diagonal elevator	87 m (285.4 ft)^*	4.8 km/h 3.0 mph	13°	8	2002	Seki, Gifu
Grandee Nasu Shirakawa Golf Club	Golf course	50 m (164.0 ft)^*	2.4 km/h 1.5 mph	17°	6	2005	Nishigō, Fukushima
Haenam Ttangkkut	Park	8 m (26.2 ft)^*	0.9 km/h 0.6 mph	26°50′		2005	Haenam, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Haenam Ttangkkut	Park	395 m (1,295.9 ft)^*	3.6 km/h 2.2 mph	23°30′	40	2005	Haenam, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Hananomori Park, Koinobori-gō	Park						Hokuto, Yamanashi
Hanatateyama Onsen	Park	99 m (324.8 ft)^*	3.0 km/h 1.9 mph	15°	8	2004	Chikuzen, Fukuoka
Hanawa Ski Resort	Ski resort	212 m (695.5 ft)^*	5.4 km/h 3.4 mph	28°	10	1996	Kazuno, Akita
Hayakuchi Dam	Dam	200 m (656.2 ft)^*	1.5 km/h 0.9 mph	45°	2	2003	Ōdate, Akita
Hinokidai Danchi	Accessibility	87 m (285.4 ft)^*	3.9 km/h 2.4 mph	22°	6	2000	Sasebo, Nagasaki
Hotel Hatsuhana	Park	30 m (98.4 ft)^*	1.8 km/h 1.1 mph	29°50′	6	2005	Hakone, Kanagawa
Hwaam Cave	Park	527 m (1,729.0 ft)^*	6.6 km/h 4.1 mph	20°		2003	Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Hwanseongul Cave	Park	600 m (1,968.5 ft)^*				2006	Samcheok, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Iiyama Ski Jump	Ski resort	136 m (446.2 ft)^*	5.4 km/h 3.4 mph	27°	8	1999	Iiyama, Nagano
Iizuka City Chikuho Community Center	Accessibility	17 m (55.8 ft)^*	0.9 km/h 0.6 mph	29°	3	1997	Iizuka, Fukuoka
Ikawa X Park	Zorbing	82 m (269.0 ft)^*	3.9 km/h 2.4 mph	18°		2004	Miyoshi, Tokushima
Inaniwa Castle Konjakukan	Park	237 m (777.6 ft)^*	4.0 km/h 2.5 mph	33°30′	24	1993	Yuzawa, Akita
Iya Onsen	Diagonal elevator		3.0 km/h 1.9 mph	42°		2004	Miyoshi, Tokushima
Jōō-ji Temple	Accessibility	31 m (101.7 ft)^*	2.1 km/h 1.3 mph	29°	4	2002	Taku, Saga
Kannondaki Park, Kajika-kun	Park	202 m (662.7 ft)^*	4.8 km/h 3.0 mph	13°	10	1997	Satsuma, Kagoshima
Kayase Dam	Dam	231 m (757.9 ft)^*	1.5 km/h 0.9 mph	45°	2	1999	Isahaya, Nagasaki
Kunimi Forest Park	Park	800 m (2,624.7 ft)^*	3.6 km/h 2.2 mph	35°	40	2006	Shisō, Hyōgo
Kwangju Country Club	Golf course	70 m (229.7 ft)^*				2002	Gokseong, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Maruoka Park	Park	236 m (774.3 ft)^*	3.0 km/h 1.9 mph	15°	10	2005	Kirishima, Kagoshima
Mashiki Country Club	Golf course	73 m (239.5 ft)^*	3.6 km/h 2.2 mph	24°	4	1992	Mashiki, Kumamoto
Masutani Dam	Dam	172 m (564.3 ft)^*	1.5 km/h 0.9 mph	36°	2	2003	Minamiechizen, Fukui
Minami Kiyosato Flower Park	Park	185 m (607.0 ft)^*	3.6 km/h 2.2 mph	25°30′	20	2000	Hokuto, Yamanashi
Minamihata Dam	Dam	79 m (259.2 ft)^*	2.1 km/h 1.3 mph	28°	6	2003	Nakagawa, Fukuoka
Minaminooka Memorial Park	Accessibility	52 m (170.6 ft)^*	2.1 km/h 1.3 mph	24°30′	6	2004	Yokohama, Kanagawa
Misawa Adonis Golf Club	Golf course	99 m (324.8 ft)^*	3.0 km/h 1.9 mph	33°	4	1994	Ena, Gifu
Miyamoto residence	Accessibility	19 m (62.3 ft)^*	1.5 km/h 0.9 mph	28°	2	1992	Hisayama, Fukuoka
Mizutori-gō	Accessibility	60 m (196.9 ft)^*	0.9 km/h 0.6 mph	29°	2	2002	Nagasaki, Nagasaki
Moritate Construction	Accessibility	14 m (45.9 ft)^*	0.6 km/h 0.4 mph	45°	2	1999	Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Mount Hiko, Mount Hiko Slope Car	Park	849 m (2,785.4 ft)^*	4.8 km/h 3.0 mph	18°	80	2005	Soeda, Fukuoka
Muya Bus Stop, Sloppy	Diagonal elevator	161 m (528.2 ft)^*	9.6 km/h 6.0 mph	5°40′	20	2002	Naruto, Tokushima
Naengcheon Country Club	Golf course	110 m (360.9 ft)^*				2003	Daegu, South Korea
Nagasaki Subtropical Botanical Garden	Park	380 m (1,246.7 ft)^*	3.0 km/h 1.9 mph	10°	20	1996	Nagasaki, Nagasaki
Nakadake Dam	Dam	125 m (410.1 ft)^*	1.8 km/h 1.1 mph	35°	2	2006	Soo, Kagoshima
Namgwangju Country Club	Golf course	40 m (131.2 ft)^*				2001	Hwasun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Nanakura Dam	Dam	96 m (315.0 ft)^*	2.1 km/h 1.3 mph	45°	4	1993	Ōmachi, Nagano
Nanreku Shōken-yama Park	Park	203 m (666.0 ft)^*	6.0 km/h 3.7 mph	11°30′	12	1990	Ainan, Ehime
Ogasayama Sports Park Ecopa	Park						Fukuroi, Shizuoka
Okuhagi Honjin Garden	Park	453 m (1,486.2 ft)^*	4.2 km/h 2.6 mph	25°	24	1990	Hagi, Yamaguchi
Okutadami Dam	Dam	228 m (748.0 ft)^*	4.8 km/h 3.0 mph	21°	40	1997	Uonuma, Niigata
Ōtaki Dam	Dam	101 m (331.4 ft)^*	2.7 km/h 1.7 mph	50°	6	1997	Kawakami, Nara
Passage Kinkai Island Golf Club	Golf course	95 m (311.7 ft)^*	3.0 km/h 1.9 mph	22°	5	1997	Nagasaki, Nagasaki
Rusutsu Resort	Ski resort	480 m (1,574.8 ft)^*	10.8 km/h 6.7 mph	9°30′	36	1998	Rusutsu, Hokkaidō
Saga Sōgō Ground	Accessibility	8 m (26.2 ft)^*	0.9 km/h 0.6 mph	35°	2	1999	Saga, Saga
Sakura-gō	Accessibility	50 m (164.0 ft)^*	0.9 km/h 0.6 mph	33°	2	2003	Nagasaki, Nagasaki
Sanbōdai Schanze	Ski resort	145 m (475.7 ft)^*	5.4 km/h 3.4 mph	28°	8	1997	Shibetsu, Hokkaidō
Sanda Onsen Kumano no Sato	Park	43 m (141.1 ft)^*	3.0 km/h 1.9 mph	14°	8	2006	Sanda, Hyōgo
Sazanka Kōgen Pincnic Park, Kōgen Monorail	Park	402 m (1,318.9 ft)^*	6.0 km/h 3.7 mph	17°	20	1995	Isahaya, Nagasaki
Sazanka Kōgen Pincnic Park, Kōgen Monorail	Park	280 m (918.6 ft)^*	6.0 km/h 3.7 mph	14°	16	1993	Isahaya, Nagasaki
Shin Takasegawa Dam	Dam	102 m (334.6 ft)^*	2.1 km/h 1.3 mph	30°	4	1996	Ōmachi, Nagano
Shirahama Mermaid Town	Accessibility	69 m (226.4 ft)^*	2.1 km/h 1.3 mph	24°	4	2000	Shirahama, Wakayama
Shōkaien Care House Toyonosato	Accessibility	48 m (157.5 ft)^*	1.8 km/h 1.1 mph	36°9′	16	2001	Mizumaki, Fukuoka
Siesta Patio	Park	213 m (698.8 ft)^*	4.8 km/h 3.0 mph	16°	15	2000	Taku, Saga
Soeda Park, Sakura	Park	181 m (593.8 ft)^*	3.6 km/h 2.2 mph	17°	16	1991	Soeda, Fukuoka
Sugiyama residence, Noboru-kun	Accessibility	20 m (65.6 ft)^*	1.5 km/h 0.9 mph	28°	2	1996	Shizuoka, Shizuoka
Sun Village Akane	Ski resort	46 m (150.9 ft)^*	2.4 km/h 1.5 mph	30°	12	1995	Iizuka, Fukuoka
Tachibana Thermal Power Plant	Accessibility	27 m (88.6 ft)^*	0.9 km/h 0.6 mph	27°	2	2000	Anan, Tokushima
Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden	Park	250 m (820.2 ft)^*	3.6 km/h 2.2 mph	9°30′	40	2003	Ōita, Ōita
Takasegawa Dam	Dam	104 m (341.2 ft)^*	2.1 km/h 1.3 mph	45°	4	1994	Ōmachi, Nagano
Takayama Dam	Dam	72 m (236.2 ft)^*	1.5 km/h 0.9 mph	42°	8	2006	Minamiyamashiro, Kyōto
Takeo Onsen Hoyōmura, Skybus Noboru-kun	Park	488 m (1,601.0 ft)^*	4.2 km/h 2.6 mph	23°	16	1993	Takeo, Saga
Tenjin Dam	Dam	96 m (315.0 ft)^*	1.5 km/h 0.9 mph	45°	2	1999	Miyakonojō, Miyazaki
Tenjin-kun	Accessibility	60 m (196.9 ft)^*	0.9 km/h 0.6 mph	29°	2	2002	Nagasaki, Nagasaki
Tsunagi Onsen Shikisai	Park	56 m (183.7 ft)^*	2.1 km/h 1.3 mph	32°30′	6	1994	Tsunagi, Kumamoto
Ueda Women's Junior College Tea House	Accessibility	58 m (190.3 ft)^*	2.4 km/h 1.5 mph	22°	2	2005	Ueda, Nagano
Ulsan Country Club	Golf course	32 m (105.0 ft)^*	4.8 km/h 3.0 mph	12°	6	2005	Ulsan, South Korea
Ulsan Country Club	Golf course	135 m (442.9 ft)^*				1993	Ulsan, South Korea
Urayama Dam	Accessibility	216 m (708.7 ft)^*	2.7 km/h 1.7 mph	45°	2	1998	Chichibu, Saitama
Wakato Hospital	Diagonal elevator	94 m (308.4 ft)^*	3.0 km/h 1.9 mph	9°15′	4	1992	Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka
Watanabe residence	Accessibility	25 m (82.0 ft)^*	0.9 km/h 0.6 mph	31°	2	1998	Minoo, Ōsaka
Wespa Tsubakiyama	Park	572 m (1,876.6 ft)^*	4.8 km/h 3.0 mph	25°	40	2000	Fukaura, Aomori
Yamano Hotel	Park	36 m (118.1 ft)^*	2.4 km/h 1.5 mph	36°	6	2004	Takayama, Gifu
Yoichi Ski Jump	Ski resort	129 m (423.2 ft)^*	5.4 km/h 3.4 mph	30°	8	1999	Yoichi, Hokkaidō
Yong-in Country Club	Golf course	100 m (328.1 ft)^*				2001	Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Yong-in Country Club	Golf course	78 m (255.9 ft)^*				2001	Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Zaō Ski Jump	Ski jump	200 m (656.2 ft)^*	5.4 km/h 3.4 mph	35°	10	2001	Yamagata, Yamagata

References

^ Delivery results search at Kaho Manufacturing's official website yields more than 80 cases (slope cars only).
^ [1]

External links

Template:Ja icon Kaho Manufacturing official website
Template:Ja icon Template:En icon Ansaku official website
Template:Ja icon Chigusa official website
Template:Ko icon Korea Monorail official website, South Korean agency of Kaho Manufacturing.
Template:Ja icon Monorail Industry official website
Template:Ja icon Template:En icon Senyō Kōgyō official website

[1] Delivery results search at Kaho Manufacturing's official website yields more than 80 cases (slope cars only).

[2] [1]

[1]

[2]