• Maglev

    What is Maglev?

    Maglev (magnetic levitation) is an advanced transportation technology in which magnetic forces lift, propel and guide a vehicle over a guideway. Utilizing special electric power and control systems, this configuration reduces the need for mechanical parts, thereby minimizing resistance and permitting speeds of 300+ mph or more.
     

    Who is developing this project?

    Since 1988 the California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission (CNSSTC), now in partnership with the American Magline Group (AMG) has been working for the purposes of developing a 269-mile super speed, magnetic levitation “Maglev” train system connecting Southern Nevada and Southern California along the heavily congested I-15 highway corridor from Las Vegas to Anaheim. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) are working together to complete the environmental processes and review which began in 2004. The AMG is a joint venture of General Atomics, MNC & Associates, Parsons and Hirschfeld Steel. This partnership is made of the engineering, planning, legal, financial, research and development, and manufacturing firms dedicated to adapting and deploying Transrapid maglev technology in the United States.

    How much right-of-way is required?

    The double guideway construction footprint is 40 feet wide. This includes the width needed to operate the dual guideway system, space for construction and equipment access, noise berms or walls, landscaping treatments, and wayside features including switching stations, emergency and auxiliary stopping areas. The guideway is completely separated from pedestrians and traffic, but can be constructed at-grade, or elevated. If constructed at grade, the alignment would be fenced to assure public safety. Due to the high operating speeds, curves and grades must be gradual.
     

    Does the technology produce electromagnetic forces (EMF)?

    Studies have concluded that there are no major EMF or electromagnetic radiation (EMR) issues. The EMF characteristics of the Transrapid system, the project’s technology provider, and the associated public and worker exposures have been extensively surveyed and documented by the U.S. Department of Transportation and FRA in a series of reports over the past decade.

    Magnetic fields within the passenger compartment of the Maglev super speed train are well within permissible standards and much less than those generated by common household products such as hair dryers, toasters, electric ovens and televisions

    Does Maglev make noise?

    Compared with other transport systems, the Transrapid is extremely quiet. There is no rolling or propulsion noise. At speeds up to 250km/h (155mph), the Transrapid hovers almost without noise through cities and metropolitan areas. Due to the non-contact levitation and propulsion technology, the noise emission of the superspeed maglev system at speeds above 250km/h (155mph) is mainly determined by aerodynamic noise.
     

    Is this technology being used anywhere else?

    Maglev is operational in Shanghai, China in a corridor from the central city to the airport. The route will be expanded in 2012 by 124 kilometers.

    Is Maglev safe?

    Yes. Maglev is considered to be a very safe mode of high-speed ground transportation. The vehicle is designed to wrap around the guideway and therefore cannot be derailed. Only the section of the Guideway occupied by the vehicle is electrified, precluding the possibility of two or more vehicles entering the same space. In case of power failures on board, batteries allow the super high speed train to remain levitated so it can be pushed to the nearest station or an evacuation point on the guideway.

    What would it cost to construct the project?

    The corridor, at a cost of $45 million per mile, can be constructed within the Federal Railroad Administration’s published range for “European style high speed rail” cost per mile parameters. The preliminary cost estimate for the project is $12-$15 billion dollars which includes technology components, guideway infrastructure, stations, operation and maintenance facilities, right of way, and engineering construction management and training.
    How will the construction of the project be funded?

    Potential Funding Sources:

    • Rail Programs Funded Under The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009

    • Equity and or State, Federal or Local Grants

    • Bonds

    • Transportation Infrastructure Finance Improvement Act (TIFIA)
    What are some of the benefits of Maglev?

    The maglev technology within this corridor will provide significant benefits to both Nevada and California and as a demonstration to the nation by boosting the economy, decreasing environmental impacts, and by providing riders with one of the fastest, safest and most reliable forms of ground transportation in the world.

    Please see the “Benefits” section of this website for more details.

    What are the next steps for the project?

    This project, sufficiently advanced in development, is ready to be constructed within this corridor on an expedited schedule, with a faster construction to completion timeline for “The First Forty Miles®” of the corridor than any other super high speed rail project can deliver.

    The immediate next steps are:

    • Build “The First Forty Miles®” in Nevada (between Las Vegas and the California state line at Primm/Ivanpah International Airport)
    • Complete preparations for construction of the starter segment in California (between Anaheim and Ontario International Airport).

    What are some advantages of Super High Speed Transrapid Maglev Technology?

    The primary system advantages of Transrapid are:

    • Very high cruising speeds of 300-500 km/h (185-310 mph) in rural areas

    • Cruising speeds of up to 300 km/h (185mph) in congested urban areas

    • Unbeatable overall trip times for short distance shuttle operation between outlying airports and city centers

    • High passenger comfort at all speeds

    • Electromagnetic levitation, guidance and propulsion systems without contact and any friction

    • Low environmental impact:

    - Low Noise Emission

    - Low Energy Consumption

    - Minimal land Consumption

    • Flexible guideway parameters allowing minimal disturbance to existing landscape, fewer civil structures (bridges, tunnels), and no division of the countryside

    • Standard guideway configurations for at-grade and elevated construction with minimal use of bridge or tunnel structures

    • Ability to climb steep grades up to 10%

    • Virtually impossible to derail – safest of all modern transportation systems

    • Fully automatic operation under all weather conditions and all seasons utilizing the most modern computer based, operation and control system (communication, command and control)

    • High acceleration of 1 m/s² (0.1g) even at speeds above 300 km/h (185mph) without the need for seatbelts

    • High System availability through sophisticated system design in terms of failure tolerance, functional reliability and insensitivity towards environmental influences.

    • Low maintenance requirements due to maintenance free design and few mechanical and moving parts

    • Low operating costs due to fewer personnel requirement’s and low energy consumption

    • No unsightly noise producing, maintenance intensive pantographs or electric rails.

     

    Other Search Terms: Super High speed trains, fast trains, really fast trains, levitating trains, magnetic trains, maglev trains, what is maglev trains, who makes,

     

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