<p>Based on the Euler beam model and assumptions and using cableway as a practical engineering example, surface roughness parameters of suspension cables are considered and fully analyzed in this study. By introducing the Hertz contact model, the governing equations of coupled vibration between the car and skyline are established. Subsequently numerical solutions for vibration response are derived by using the Newmark method. Numerical simulation examples show that the different response of cable displacement, carriage and hanging payloads do significantly depend on cable roughness. The research result also indicates that the cable displacement curve is significantly different under various states including static, dynamic and considering non-smooth external excitation. Considering the coupling of non-smooth cable dynamics, dynamic displacement of carriage and other hanging objects due to non-smooth external excitation, it is concluded that fluctuation at the maximum cable deflection is profoundly significant. The result also indicates that non-smooth external excitation greatly stimulates instability of suspension cable, thus leading to randomly alternating stress of the cable. The skyline, subjected to superimposed displacements from static, dynamic, and non-smooth excitations, will inevitably experience accelerated fatigue damage. This degradation directly compromises its operational safety and reduces its serviceable life. The analytical analysis and simulation result provide useful comparison from a theoretical point of view and also as practical benchmark reference for engineering ropeway designs.</p>