Maglev vehicles and superconductor technology: Integration of high-speed ground transportation into the air travel system

This study was undertaken to (1) evaluate the potential contribution of high-temperature superconductors (HTSCs) to the technical and economic feasibility of magnetically levitated (maglev) vehicles, (2) determine the status of maglev transportation research in the United States and abroad, (3) identify the likelihood of a significant transportation market for high-speed maglev vehicles, and (4) provide a preliminary assessment of the potential energy and economic benefits of maglev systems. HTSCs should be considered as an enhancing, rather than an enabling, development for maglev transportation because they should improve reliability and reduce energy and maintenance costs. Superconducting maglev transportation technologies were developed in the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Federal support was withdrawn in 1975, but major maglev transportation programs were continued in Japan and West Germany, where full-scale prototypes now carry passengers at speeds of 250 mi/h in demonstration runs. Maglev systems are generally viewed as very-high-speed train systems, but this study shows that the potential market for maglev technology as a train system, e.g., from one downtown to another, is limited. Rather, aircraft and maglev vehicles should be seen as complementing rather than competing transportation systems. If maglev systems were integrated into major hub airport operations, they could become economical in many relatively high-density U.S. corridors. Air traffic congestion and associated noise and pollutant emissions around airports would also be reduced. Further analysis is needed to determine whether the foreign technologies being developed are amenable to U.S. transportation requirements. If significant improvements are needed in the foreign systems, the United States is still well positioned to undertake further development of maglev transportation technologies.

[1]  M Eck.  THE M-BAHN DEMONSTRATION LINE IN BERLIN : PROJECT, STATUS AND ARTISTIC IMPLEMENTATION , 1987 .

[2]  H. T. Coffey,et al.  Dynamic performance of the SRI Maglev vehicle , 1974 .

[3]  P Mnich,et al.  THE MAGLEV TRANSRAPID SYSTEM ON THE WAY TO APPLICATION : TEST RESULTS , 1987 .

[4]  R Stockl,et al.  MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND ASSEMBLING LINE OF GUIDEWAY AND ITS COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSRAPID MAGLEV SYSTEM , 1987 .

[5]  H. T. Coffey,et al.  Electromagnetic lift and drag forces on a superconducting magnet propelled along a guideway composed of metallic loops , 1972 .

[6]  T I Campbell.  COSTING OF THE REVISED CANADIAN MAGLEV GUIDEWAY DESIGN , 1986 .

[7]  R. D. Thornton,et al.  Magneplane: guided electromagnetic flight , 1972 .

[8]  P Hartmann,et al.  THE GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED PROGRAM "DEVELOPMENT OF THE MAGNETIC LEVITATION SYSTEM TRANSRAPID" IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY , 1987 .

[9]  J. R. Hull,et al.  Attractive levitation for high-speed ground transport with large guideway clearance and alternating-gradient stabilization , 1989 .

[10]  M Kawashima,et al.  OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF HSST-03 SYSTEM AT EXPO '85 AND EXPO '86 , 1987 .

[11]  R G Gilliland,et al.  INTEGRATED MAGNETIC PROPULSION AND SUSPENSION (IMPS) FINAL REPORT , 1986 .

[12]  Troy W. Barbee,et al.  Suspension and Guidance of Vehicles by Superconducting Magnets , 1969 .

[13]  R G Gilliland,et al.  LINEAR SYNCHRONOUS UNIPOLAR MOTOR (LSUM) DEVELOPMENT REPORT , 1986 .

[14]  A B Rose.  ENERGY INTENSITY AND RELATED PARAMETERS OF SELECTED TRANSPORTATION MODES: PASSENGER MOVEMENTS , 1979 .

[15]  S. L. Wipf,et al.  Magnetic Suspension and Guidance for High Speed Rockets by Superconducting Magnets , 1969 .

[16]  R K Mittal.  Energy intensity of intercity passenger rail. , 1977 .

[17]  A Alston,et al.  MAGNETIC SUSPENSION AND GUIDANCE OF HIGH SPEED VEHICLES , 1972 .

[18]  H Hessler.  THE TRANSRAPID MAGLEV SYSTEM--PROSPECTS FOR APPLICATION , 1985 .

[19]  H Tanaka.  PRESENT CONDITIONS OF MAGLEV TEST IN JNR , 1985 .