Arctic Transportation: Operational and Environmental Evaluation of an Air Cushion Vehicle in Northern Alaska

Abstract

Traffic tests conducted near Barrow, Alaska with a 7-ton SK-5 Air Cushion Vehicle have shown that these types of vehicles can provide year-round high-speed transport capability over a variety of relatively level, low strength terrains. The ecological impact of ACV traffic over easily degradable tundra terrains is not nearly as significant as that of wheeled or tracked vehicle traffic.