Extracts From: National Maglev
Initiative
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to Railroads
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.
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