Trans RINA, Vol 154, Part C1, Intl J Marine Design, Jan - Jun 2012
ON THIN ICE - HOVERCRAFT AS AN ALTERNATIVE LOGISTICS PLATFORM FOR THE ICE ROADS OF NORTHWEST CANADA
S McCartan and T Kent, Department of Industrial Design, Coventry University, UK (DOI No: 10.3940/rina.ijmd.2012.c1.8)
SUMMARY
The Canadian Diamond Mining Industry is a multi-billion dollar operation based in the Northwest Territories. During the past 20 years it has transformed Canada into the world's third largest supplier, with C$1.5 Billion worth of diamonds being mined each year. Three of the four mines depend entirely upon a single transport link to bring in supplies. This link is known as the "Ice Road", is constructed annually at a cost of $10 Million. During an operational window of typically nine weeks, the mines transport as much of their annual supplies as possible, typically 8,000 truckloads per season. In 2006 a freak warm winter led to the ice road closing two weeks earlier than normal. This forced the mines to transport 1200 truckloads of fuel and cargo by air, resulting in a considerable increase in logistics expenditure. Current forecasts of global warming are challenging the long term sustainability of the "Ice Road" identifying a need to research logistic alternatives.
This paper presents the results of an Industrial Design research and concept development project. The first phase of which identified the feasibility of the hovercraft platform to address the logistical needs of the Canadian Diamond Mining industry and generated a design specification to address those needs. The second phase of the project produced a technically resolved design concept based on the specification, addressing the key areas of cargo loading, exterior aesthetics and user centred design consideration for the operators.
Keywords: Hovercraft, Industrial Design, Aesthetics, Ergonomics 1.
INTRODUCTION
Hidden amongst the thousands of lakes that litter the tundra of the vast Northwest Territories is a multi-billion dollar
operation: The Canadian
Only 30% of diamonds mined globally are of gem quality and are distributed for cutting and polishing, the remaining 70% of diamonds
are Diamond Mining
Industry. In the space of 20 years, this relatively new industry has transformed Canada into the world's third largest supplier with C$1.5 Billion worth of diamonds being mined each year [1]. However, despite the apparent success story, there are considerable logistical challenges ahead. Three of the four active Canadian mines depend entirely upon a single transport link to bring in crucial supplies. This link is known as the "Ice Road" and with global temperatures rising, the ice is starting to look thin. The ‘Tibbett to Contwoyto Winter Road’, as it is officially known, is constructed annually at a cost of around $10 Million [2] and begins operations around the end of January.
During the short operational window of typically nine weeks [3], the mines bring in as much of their annual supplies as possible, amounting on average to more than 8,000 truckloads per season [4]. Those involved with the diamond mining industry are aware of the impact of global warming on their logistics operations. In 2006 a freak warm winter led to the ice road closing two weeks earlier than normal [3]. This forced the mines to bring 1200 truckloads worth of fuel and cargo in by air resulting in a massive and unexpected increase in expenditure. With experts forecasting that average annual temperatures will continue to rise [4],
the long-term
viability of the TCWR is in serious question and a search for alternatives is underway.
©2012: The Royal Institution of Naval Architects sold for various
industrial applications [1]. The industrial applications of diamonds are varied, many such as
drilling, cutting,
grinding and polishing tools utilise the fact that diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance and also super-abrasive. The precision made possible by diamond cutting tools is also used to create fibre optic lines and etch microchips and circuit boards. There are also increasing applications for thanks to
diamonds in electronics the mineral's characteristics as a
superconductor and electrical insulator. With these many industrial applications, there is a growing demand for this valuable and rare mineral and the benefits for those who mine it are profound. In 2002 alone, the economy of the NWT grew by 5.1% due to the opening of the EKATI mine [5].
In 2006 the three NWT mines were directly responsible for over 50% of the territories GDP [6] and this figure is set to grow as current mines reach full capacity and new mines are opened. In 2003 employment figures indicated approximately 2200 jobs related to the diamond mining industry in the NWT with average salaries roughly 30% higher than workers in similar industries across Canada. In
2007, the Canadian diamond mining [7]. The mining industry has also brought
industry
employed about 2650 people in mine operations and more than 1500 on-site workers through contractors in support industries such as maintenance, catering and transport
employment and wealth to the indigenous people of the C-1
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