Ropeway people movers for ski resorts

Abstract

Las Vegas, Reno, Sun City, Foxwoods, Tunica, Broad Beach, and several other international mega-resorts have discovered that People Movers (Automated Guideway Transit) improve their image and subsequently attract new customers. In addition to presenting the rope-propelled People Mover technologies, this paper reviews how specific installations have solved visitor circulation needs in many hotel resort complexes in Las Vegas and elsewhere. This approach can be duplicated to many ski resorts worldwide since the level of ridership in Las Vegas frequently exceeds levels typically found on ski resort shuttle bus systems worldwide. We particularly focus on existing, proven technologies and specific installations, including ropeway Horizontal Elevators (Mandalay Bay, Mirage, Primadonna, and Circus-Circus Automated people Mover installations). People Mover systems represent major changes and advances in equipment, facilities, operations, and services in comparison with conventional rail, bus, taxi, and other street modes. System performance and capacities can be tailored to match expected loads and a broad range of performance and operational requirements. Suppliers usually claim, with justification, that they can adapt their product to buyer's specific needs. Vehicle size can be expanded or reduced. Seats can be added or removed from vehicles. Altering guideway design and speeds can accommodate various grades and curves. Riding the circulation People Mover system can be as convenient, safe and comfortable as riding a modern elevator. Stations can be sufficiently numerous to provide development-wide access. Passengers experience little or no waiting for vehicles. The operation can be environmentally friendly with no emissions, very little noise and minimum visual impact. The system could be fully integrated with both existing and future developments. This inherent design flexibility of People Movers has been demonstrated very well in Las Vegas and other gambling oriented resorts, and now can be duplicated in various ski resorts.