Environmental and Geotechnical Issues

Sensitive Areas
Construction on slopes, which are formally viewed as "sensitive areas" in Washington State, is generally frowned upon by permitting agencies. Most of these agencies will allow a certain amount of tram, stairway, or trail building. Often a variance is required in the permitting process.

One of the advantages of Cable Lift Aerial Trams is that they do not generally involve any construction, grading, or alteration of the slopes they traverse. This is a strong argument in the permitting process.

Track Lift Supports
Track Lifts involve supports for the tracks at regular intervals. These Supports are, by necessity, on the slope, and are subject to more problems from bank slides, settling, pressure from the slope uphill of the support, and undermining below the support than an aerial-type tram. Also, from a builder's point of view, building supports on a steep slope is difficult work. If the slope is fundamentally stable and not too steep or long, these problems are minimized, and a Track Lift is a good possibility.

Landing On The Beach
Many Cable Lifts land directly on the beach on the water front of Puget Sound. An anchor on the beach attaches the two support cables that the gondola rides on. This anchor is usually below grade, installed in one day, near the high tide line. The overall impact of the Cable Lift is very low. Fisheries Department officials have reviewed and approved this approach.

Visual Impacts
Visually, the two support cables of a Cable Lift blend into the landscape from even a short distance away (say, one hundred feet), making them close to invisible. Anyone who has looked at a staircase on a slope from a mile or more away can attest to their prominent visual impact.

Noise
The noise levels from Accumar Cable Lifts and Track Lifts are very low, and can seldom even be heard from a neighboring property. There are virtually no mechanical noises; the noise from the electric hoist is comparable to running a clothes dryer. The gondola ride is whisper quiet and smoother than track trams.

Pathways For The Tram
Usually a path can be located for a tram which misses any major trees or obstacles. The path needs to be five to seven feet wide. Accumar will visit sites to determine the best location for a tram.

Geotechnical (soils) Reports
Local permitting agencies and engineers require a geotechnical engineer to prepare a report on the slope soils. Accumar can help arrange this. Accumar provides engineered site-specific design drawings for each installation.