Slope car at Muya Bus Stop, Naruto, Tokushima.


Rakuraku-gō, a slope car at Gifu Prefectural Museum, Seki, Gifu.


Slope car at Wespa Tsubakiyama, Fukaura, Aomori.

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.

Contents

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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 to help the accessibilities of elderly or handicapped users 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 cases that slope cars run very steep places even people without disabilities cannot walk through. In Japan, slope cars are not legally considered as railways.

System

There is a type with 3m length, 4 to 8 passengers capacity, and a type with 6m length, around 30 passengers capacity. Some slope cars use “trainsets” consisted of two cars. Most slope cars are straddle-beam monorails, but there are also suspended monorail slope cars as well.

Normal monorails generally use rubber tyres running on a concrete track, while slope cars use a sort of steel rack rail and pinions. As such, slope cars can climb 1000‰ (45°) slopes at max. The system is powered by third rails.

The system does not require a driver. A car starts when a user pushes a button, and it automatically stops at a 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 sale their “slope cars” from 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
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

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
27 ft
2.1 km/h
1.3 mph
45°
6
2002
Soeda, Fukuoka

Aburayama Golf Course
Golf course
96 m
29 ft
2.1 km/h
1.3 mph
21°
4
2004
Fukuoka, Fukuoka

Akagi Kōgen Highland Pasture Kronenberg
Zorbing
70 m
21 ft
4.8 km/h
3.0 mph
11°

2003
Shibukawa, Gunma

Ashikita Kaihin Sōgō Park
Zorbing
140 m
43 ft
4.8 km/h
3.0 mph
15°

2003
Ashikita, Kumamoto

Ashikita Kaihin Sōgō Park
Zorbing
153 m
47 ft
5.1 km/h
3.2 mph
11°40′

2005
Ashikita, Kumamoto

Bay Hill View Chayagadai
Diagonal elevator
30 m
9 ft
1.8 km/h
1.1 mph
24°
4
1999
Ōita, Ōita

Bukkō-ji Temple
Accessibility
38 m
12 ft
1.8 km/h
1.1 mph
29°
6
2005
Kyōto, Kyōto

Bukkoku-ji Temple
Accessibility
90 m
27 ft
2.4 km/h
1.5 mph
15°
4
2004
Sendai, Miyagi

Cactus Herb Park
Park
191 m
58 ft
4.8 km/h
3.0 mph
19°30′
30
1995
Nichinan, Miyazaki

Changwon Country Club
Golf course
60 m
18 ft

1997
Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea

Funaoka Castle Park
Park
305 m
93 ft
4.8 km/h
3.0 mph
18°
40
1996
Shibata, Miyagi

Garden Sight Sakurajima, Sakurajima-gō
Diagonal elevator
27 m
8 ft
1.7 km/h
1.0 mph
32°30′
8
2001
Kagoshima, Kagoshima

Gassan Dam
Dam
166 m
51 ft
2.7 km/h
1.7 mph
35°32′
8
1994
Tsuruoka, Yamagata

Genkai Island
Accessibility
47 m
14 ft
2.1 km/h
1.3 mph
33°
2
1998
Fukuoka, Fukuoka

Gifu Prefectural Museum, Rakuraku-gō
Diagonal elevator
86 m
26 ft
4.8 km/h
3.0 mph
13°
8
2002
Seki, Gifu

Grandee Nasu Shirakawa Golf Club
Golf course
50 m
15 ft
2.4 km/h
1.5 mph
17°
6
2005
Nishigō, Fukushima

Haenam Ttangkkut
Park
8 m
2 ft
0.9 km/h
0.6 mph
26°50′

2005
Haenam, Jeollanam-do, South Korea

Haenam Ttangkkut
Park
395 m
120 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
30 ft
3.0 km/h
1.9 mph
15°
8
2004
Chikuzen, Fukuoka

Hanawa Ski Resort
Ski resort
212 m
65 ft
5.4 km/h
3.4 mph
28°
10
1996
Kazuno, Akita

Hayakuchi Dam
Dam
200 m
61 ft
1.5 km/h
0.9 mph
45°
2
2003
Ōdate, Akita

Hinokidai Danchi
Accessibility
87 m
27 ft
3.9 km/h
2.4 mph
22°
6
2000
Sasebo, Nagasaki

Hotel Hatsuhana
Park
30 m
9 ft
1.8 km/h
1.1 mph
29°50′
6
2005
Hakone, Kanagawa

Hwaam Cave
Park
527 m
161 ft
6.6 km/h
4.1 mph
20°

2003
Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Hwanseongul Cave
Park
600 m
183 ft

2006
Samcheok, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Iiyama Ski Jump
Ski resort
136 m
41 ft
5.4 km/h
3.4 mph
27°
8
1999
Iiyama, Nagano

Iizuka City Chikuho Community Center
Accessibility
17 m
5 ft
0.9 km/h
0.6 mph
29°
3
1997
Iizuka, Fukuoka

Ikawa X Park
Zorbing
82 m
25 ft
3.9 km/h
2.4 mph
18°

2004
Miyoshi, Tokushima

Inaniwa Castle Konjakukan
Park
237 m
72 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
9 ft
2.1 km/h
1.3 mph
29°
4
2002
Taku, Saga

Kannondaki Park, Kajika-kun
Park
202 m
62 ft
4.8 km/h
3.0 mph
13°
10
1997
Satsuma, Kagoshima

Kayase Dam
Dam
231 m
70 ft
1.5 km/h
0.9 mph
45°
2
1999
Isahaya, Nagasaki

Kunimi Forest Park
Park
800 m
244 ft
3.6 km/h
2.2 mph
35°
40
2006
Shisō, Hyōgo

Kwangju Country Club
Golf course
70 m
21 ft

2002
Gokseong, Jeollanam-do, South Korea

Maruoka Park
Park
236 m
72 ft
3.0 km/h
1.9 mph
15°
10
2005
Kirishima, Kagoshima

Mashiki Country Club
Golf course
73 m
22 ft
3.6 km/h
2.2 mph
24°
4
1992
Mashiki, Kumamoto

Masutani Dam
Dam
172 m
52 ft
1.5 km/h
0.9 mph
36°
2
2003
Minamiechizen, Fukui

Minami Kiyosato Flower Park
Park
185 m
56 ft
3.6 km/h
2.2 mph
25°30′
20
2000
Hokuto, Yamanashi

Minamihata Dam
Dam
79 m
24 ft
2.1 km/h
1.3 mph
28°
6
2003
Nakagawa, Fukuoka

Minaminooka Memorial Park
Accessibility
52 m
16 ft
2.1 km/h
1.3 mph
24°30′
6
2004
Yokohama, Kanagawa

Misawa Adonis Golf Club
Golf course
99 m
30 ft
3.0 km/h
1.9 mph
33°
4
1994
Ena, Gifu

Miyamoto residence
Accessibility
19 m
6 ft
1.5 km/h
0.9 mph
28°
2
1992
Hisayama, Fukuoka

Mizutori-gō
Accessibility
60 m
18 ft
0.9 km/h
0.6 mph
29°
2
2002
Nagasaki, Nagasaki

Moritate Construction
Accessibility
14 m
4 ft
0.6 km/h
0.4 mph
45°
2
1999
Fukuoka, Fukuoka

Mount Hiko, Mount Hiko Slope Car
Park
849 m
259 ft
4.8 km/h
3.0 mph
18°
80
2005
Soeda, Fukuoka

Muya Bus Stop, Sloppy
Diagonal elevator
173 m
53 ft
9.6 km/h
6.0 mph
5°40′
20
2002
Naruto, Tokushima

Naengcheon Country Club
Golf course
110 m
34 ft

2003
Daegu, South Korea

Nagasaki Subtropical Botanical Garden
Park
380 m
116 ft
3.0 km/h
1.9 mph
10°
20
1996
Nagasaki, Nagasaki

Nakadake Dam
Dam
125 m
38 ft
1.8 km/h
1.1 mph
35°
2
2006
Soo, Kagoshima

Namgwangju Country Club
Golf course
40 m
12 ft

2001
Hwasun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea

Nanakura Dam
Dam
96 m
29 ft
2.1 km/h
1.3 mph
45°
4
1993
Ōmachi, Nagano

Nanreku Shōken-yama Park
Park
203 m
62 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
138 ft
4.2 km/h
2.6 mph
25°
24
1990
Hagi, Yamaguchi

Okutadami Dam
Dam
228 m
69 ft
4.8 km/h
3.0 mph
21°
40
1997
Uonuma, Niigata

Ōtaki Dam
Dam
101 m
31 ft
2.7 km/h
1.7 mph
50°
6
1997
Kawakami, Nara

Passage Kinkai Island Golf Club
Golf course
95 m
29 ft
3.0 km/h
1.9 mph
22°
5
1997
Nagasaki, Nagasaki

Rusutsu Resort
Ski resort
480 m
146 ft
10.8 km/h
6.7 mph
9°30′
36
1998
Rusutsu, Hokkaidō

Saga Sōgō Ground
Accessibility
8 m
2 ft
0.9 km/h
0.6 mph
35°
2
1999
Saga, Saga

Sakura-gō
Accessibility
50 m
15 ft
0.9 km/h
0.6 mph
33°
2
2003
Nagasaki, Nagasaki

Sanbōdai Schanze
Ski resort
145 m
44 ft
5.4 km/h
3.4 mph
28°
8
1997
Shibetsu, Hokkaidō

Sanda Onsen Kumano no Sato
Park
43 m
13 ft
3.0 km/h
1.9 mph
14°
8
2006
Sanda, Hyōgo

Sazanka Kōgen Pincnic Park, Kōgen Monorail
Park
402 m
123 ft
6.0 km/h
3.7 mph
17°
20
1995
Isahaya, Nagasaki

Sazanka Kōgen Pincnic Park, Kōgen Monorail
Park
280 m
85 ft
6.0 km/h
3.7 mph
14°
16
1993
Isahaya, Nagasaki

Shin Takasegawa Dam
Dam
102 m
31 ft
2.1 km/h
1.3 mph
30°
4
1996
Ōmachi, Nagano

Shirahama Mermaid Town
Accessibility
69 m
21 ft
2.1 km/h
1.3 mph
24°
4
2000
Shirahama, Wakayama

Shōkaien Care House Toyonosato
Accessibility
48 m
15 ft
1.8 km/h
1.1 mph
36°9′
16
2001
Mizumaki, Fukuoka

Siesta Patio
Park
213 m
65 ft
4.8 km/h
3.0 mph
16°
15
2000
Taku, Saga

Soeda Park, Sakura
Park
181 m
55 ft
3.6 km/h
2.2 mph
17°
16
1991
Soeda, Fukuoka

Sugiyama residence, Noboru-kun
Accessibility
20 m
6 ft
1.5 km/h
0.9 mph
28°
2
1996
Shizuoka, Shizuoka

Sun Village Akane
Ski resort
46 m
14 ft
2.4 km/h
1.5 mph
30°
12
1995
Iizuka, Fukuoka

Tachibana Thermal Power Plant
Accessibility
27 m
8 ft
0.9 km/h
0.6 mph
27°
2
2000
Anan, Tokushima

Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden
Park
250 m
76 ft
3.6 km/h
2.2 mph
9°30′
40
2003
Ōita, Ōita

Takasegawa Dam
Dam
104 m
32 ft
2.1 km/h
1.3 mph
45°
4
1994
Ōmachi, Nagano

Takayama Dam
Dam
72 m
22 ft
1.5 km/h
0.9 mph
42°
8
2006
Minamiyamashiro, Kyōto

Takeo Onsen Hoyōmura, Skybus Noboru-kun
Park
488 m
149 ft
4.2 km/h
2.6 mph
23°
16
1993
Takeo, Saga

Tenjin Dam
Dam
96 m
29 ft
1.5 km/h
0.9 mph
45°
2
1999
Miyakonojō, Miyazaki

Tenjin-kun
Accessibility
60 m
18 ft
0.9 km/h
0.6 mph
29°
2
2002
Nagasaki, Nagasaki

Tsunagi Onsen Shikisai
Park
56 m
17 ft
2.1 km/h
1.3 mph
32°30′
6
1994
Tsunagi, Kumamoto

Ueda Women’s Junior College Tea House
Accessibility
58 m
18 ft
2.4 km/h
1.5 mph
22°
2
2005
Ueda, Nagano

Ulsan Country Club
Golf course
32 m
10 ft
4.8 km/h
3.0 mph
12°
6
2005
Ulsan, South Korea

Ulsan Country Club
Golf course
135 m
41 ft

1993
Ulsan, South Korea

Urayama Dam
Accessibility
216 m
66 ft
2.7 km/h
1.7 mph
45°
2
1998
Chichibu, Saitama

Wakato Hospital
Diagonal elevator
94 m
29 ft
3.0 km/h
1.9 mph
9°15′
4
1992
Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka

Watanabe residence
Accessibility
25 m
8 ft
0.9 km/h
0.6 mph
31°
2
1998
Minoo, Ōsaka

Wespa Tsubakiyama
Park
572 m
174 ft
4.8 km/h
3.0 mph
25°
40
2000
Fukaura, Aomori

Yamano Hotel
Park
36 m
11 ft
2.4 km/h
1.5 mph
36°
6
2004
Takayama, Gifu

Yoichi Ski Jump
Ski resort
129 m
39 ft
5.4 km/h
3.4 mph
30°
8
1999
Yoichi, Hokkaidō

Yong-in Country Club
Golf course
100 m
30 ft

2001
Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Yong-in Country Club
Golf course
78 m
24 ft

2001
Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Zaō Ski Jump
Ski jump
200 m
61 ft
5.4 km/h
3.4 mph
35°
10
2001
Yamagata, Yamagata

References

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

See also

  • Monorail
  • Rack railway
  • Funicular
  • People mover
  • Personal rapid transit
  • Monorails in Japan

External links

  • (Japanese) Kaho Manufacturing official website
  • (Japanese) (English) Ansaku official website
  • (Japanese) Chigusa official website
  • (Korean) Korea Monorail official website, South Korean agency of Kaho Manufacturing.
  • (Japanese) Monorail Industry official website
  • (Japanese) (English) Senyō Kōgyō official website

Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slope_car”
Categories: Monorails in Japan | Vertical transportation devicesHidden category: Incomplete lists


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