Extracts From: National Maglev
Initiative
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Preface
In April 1990, the DOT, USACE, the Department of Energy (DOE), and other agencies formed the National Maglev Initiative (NMI) to conduct and coordinate further research and evaluation. The goals of the NMI were to continue the analysis conducted earlier in evaluating maglev's potential for improving intercity transportation in the United States and to determine the appropriate role for the Federal Government in advancing this technology.High-speed magnetically levitated ground transportation (maglev) is a new surface mode of transportation in which vehicles glide above their guideways, suspended, guided, and propelled by magnetic forces. Capable of traveling at speeds of 250 to 300 miles-per-hour or higher, maglev would offer an attractive and convenient alternative for travelers between large urban areas for trips of up to 600 miles. It would also help relieve current and projected air and highway congestion by substituting for short-haul air trips, thus releasing capacity for more efficient long-haul service at crowded airports, and by diverting a portion of highway trips.
Table of Contents
WHAT IS MAGLEV?
U.S. TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENTSuspension Systems Propulsion Systems Guidance Systems Maglev and U.S. Transportation Why Maglev?
MAGLEV EVOLUTION
THE NATIONAL MAGLEV INITIATIVE (NMI)
Chapter 2: Assessment of Maglev Technology
ANALYSIS PROCESS
Chapter 3: The Potential for Maglev Application in U.S.French Train a Grande Vitesse (TGV) German TR07 Japanese High-Speed Maglev U.S. Contractors' Maglev Concepts (SCDs) Bechtel SCD Foster-Miller SCD Grumman SCD Magneplane SCD
Glossary of Maglev TermsTechnological Advancement and Spin-offs
Reprinted from the National Transportation
Library
