AGV: The Next Generation

The world's newest and fastest high-speed train, known as AGV, represents several major technological advances over other types of high-speed trains and TGV. Its development was guided by a number of key objectives and no client-imposed specifications over a ten-year period by Alstom. Increased commercial speed is 360 km/h, the first of Alstom's 300 km/+ trains to have a distributed traction system which retains TGV's trademark articulation but obviates the need for traditional power cars. Other issues examined by the author include synchronous permanent magnet motors; inclusion of the European Rail Traffic Management System; and markets for AGV.