The lift profile is the cross sectional view of the lift. The profile is determined by the the height and placement of the towers for an aerial lift. Each tower must support the rope and the carriers at an acceptable distance above the ground. Once an optimal alignment is chosen, the preliminary profile can be designed based on existing topography. The preliminary topography can often be obtained from USGS maps or existing local mapping. If necessary, a centerline survey can be obtained by a local surveyor using GPS. The preliminary profile is calculated to minimize the number of towers and to optimize their locations.
Tramway Engineering uses specialized software to conduct the profile analysis. The final result is a cross sectional map that will show tower locations, ground clearances and type of line equipment needed. This profile can form that basis for bid specifications if the project is submitted to manufacturers for bidding.
