Status of US Maglev Program

Factors that have led to a reawakening of national interest in maglev technology in the United States are discussed. The development of the National Maglev program, its findings, and the four maglev design concepts resulting from the System Concept Definition study are reviewed. Technical requirements for the SCD contractors and for the Prototype Development Program are compared. Some legislative background information is given, with a review of the most important maglev legislation. Plans for the National Maglev Prototype Development Program are discussed, and activities related to maglev at Argonne National Laboratory are summarized.