The separation between the vehicle and the guideway must be constantly monitored and corrected by computer systems to avoid collision due to the unstable nature of electromagnetic attraction; due to the system's inherent instability and the required constant corrections by outside systems, vibration issues may occur.

Strong magnetic fields onboard the train would make the train inaccessible to passengers with pacemakers or magnetic data storage media such as hard drives and credit cards, necessitating the use of magnetic shielding; limitations on guideway inductivity limit the maximum speed of the vehicle; vehicle must be wheeled for travel at low speeds; system per mile cost still considered prohibitive; the system is not yet out of prototype phase. Baby On Board refers to a five-inch sign intended to be placed in the back window of an automobile to deter tailgating. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... General Name, symbol, number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, period, block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless gas Standard atomic weight 14. ... A pacemaker, scale in centimeters A pacemaker (or artificial pacemaker, so as not to be confused with the hearts natural pacemaker) is a medical device which uses electrical impulses, delivered by electrodes contacting the heart muscles, to regulate the beating of the heart. ... Electromagnetic shielding is the process of limiting the coupling of an electromagnetic field between two locations. ... A wheel is a circular object that together with an axle allows low friction motion, e. ... For other uses, see Prototype (disambiguation). ...

Requires either wheels or track segments that move for when the vehicle is stopped. New technology that is still under development (as of 2007) and has as yet no commercial version or full scale system prototype. The term Fail-safe is used to describe: A device which, if (or when) it fails, fails in a way that will cause no harm or at least a minimum of harm to other devices or danger to personnel. ... The front suspension components of a Ford Model T. Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. ... A Halbach array is a special arrangement of permanent magnets which augments the magnetic field on one side of the device while cancelling the field to near zero on the other side. ...

Failsafe Suspension - no power required to activate magnets; separation between vehicle and guideway is automatic, requiring no outside control or monitoring; attractive force of permanent magnets is far greater than the repulsive or Halbach array force, thus smaller, cheaper magnets can be used; magnetic fields inside and outside vehicle are insignificant; in case of power failure cars slow down on their own safely; entire system is designed using physics and mathematic calculations, and all aspects of it, including resulting forces, can be calculated, designed, and improved upon on paper or computers before construction, thus not requiring costly experiments with test models; because permanent magnets and steel is used, there is no limit, within the system itself, on the speed the train can achieve while still being able to stay suspended. The term Fail-safe is used to describe: A device which, if (or when) it fails, fails in a way that will cause no harm or at least a minimum of harm to other devices or danger to personnel. ... The front suspension components of a Ford Model T. Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. ...

Because guideway insulation works via vehicle-generated eddy currents, the vehicle must be wheeled to travel at low speeds; guideway construction requires laminated steel encased in aluminum cores, all of which must be made to exact specifications, and thus may prove costly. Technology exists only on paper.

Neither Inductrack nor the Superconducting EDS nor the MDS are able to levitate vehicles at a standstill, although Inductrack provides levitation down to a much lower speed. Wheels are required for these systems. EMS systems are wheel-less. A driving wheel on a steam locomotive. ...

The German Transrapid, Japanese HSST (Linimo), and Korean Rotem EMS maglevs levitate at a standstill, with electricity extracted from guideway using power rails for the latter two, and wirelessly for Transrapid. If guideway power is lost on the move, the Transrapid is still able to generate levitation down to 10 km/h speed, using the power from onboard batteries. This is not the case with the HSST and Rotem systems. Rotem is a South Korean company manufacturing rolling stock, defense products and plant equipment. ...

Propulsion

An EMS system can provide both levitation and propulsion using an onboard linear motor. EDS systems can only levitate the train using the magnets onboard, not propel it forward. As such, vehicles need some other technology for propulsion. A linear motor (propulsion coils) mounted in the track is one solution. Over long distances where the cost of propulsion coils could be prohibitive, a propeller or jet engine could be used. A cubical magnet levitating over a superconducting material (this is known as the Meissner effect) Levitation (from Latin levare, to raise) is the process by which an object is suspended against gravity, in a stable position, by a force without physical contact. ... Ground propulsion is a different term than transport, because it refers to solid bodies being propelled. ... Ground propulsion is a different term than transport, because it refers to solid bodies being propelled. ... For other uses, see Propeller (disambiguation). ... A Pratt and Whitney turbofan engine for the F-15 Eagle is tested at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, USA. The tunnel behind the engine muffles noise and allows exhaust to escape. ...

Stability

Earnshaw's theorem shows that any combination of static magnets cannot be in a stable equilibrium. However, the various levitation systems achieve stable levitation by violating the assumptions of Earnshaw's theorem. Earnshaw's theorem assumes that the magnets are static and unchanging in field strength and that permeability is constant everywhere. EMS systems rely on active electronic stabilization. Such systems constantly measure the bearing distance and adjust the electromagnet current accordingly. All EDS systems are moving systems (no EDS system can levitate the train unless it is in motion). MDS systems use materials with non-uniform permeability. Earnshaws theorem states that a collection of point charges cannot be maintained in a stable stationary equilibrium configuration solely by the electrostatic interaction of the charges. ... This article is in need of attention. ... Stabilization is a process to help prevent shock in sick or injured people. ...

Pros and cons of maglev vs. conventional trains

Due to the lack of physical contact between the track and the vehicle, there is no rolling friction, leaving only air resistance. (Although maglev trains also experience electromagnetic drag, this is relatively small at high speeds.) ^[1] For other uses, see Friction (disambiguation). ...

The weight of the large electromagnets in EMS and EDS designs is a major design issue. A very strong magnetic field is required to levitate a massive train. For this reason one research path is using superconductors to improve the efficiency of the electromagnets. An electromagnet is a type of magnet in which the magnetic field is produced by a flow of electric current. ... For other uses, see Train (disambiguation). ...

The high speed of some maglev trains translates to more sound due to air displacement, which gets louder as the trains go faster. A study found that high speed maglev trains are 5 dB noisier than traditional trains.^[2] At low speeds, however, maglev trains are nearly silent. However, two trains passing at a combined 1,000 km/h has been successfully demonstrated without major problems in Japan.

Braking issues and overhead wire wear are problems for the Fastech 360 railed Shinkansen. Maglev would eliminate these issues, but not the noise pollution issue. One advantage of maglev's higher speed would be extension of the serviceable area (3 hours radius) that can outcompete subsonic commercial aircraft. A FASTECH 360 S at Sendai station. ... Subsonic has two possible meanings: A speed lower than the speed of sound is called subsonic. ...

Issues relating to magnets are also a factor. See suspension types.

As linear motors must fit within or straddle their track over the full length of the train, track design is challenging for anything other than point-to-point services. Curves must be gentle and avoid camber, while switches are very long and need care to avoid breaks in current. Camber may refer to: Camber, East Sussex, a seaside resort in England, near to Camber Sands. ... A railroad switch is a mechanical installation enabling trains to be guided from one set of rail tracks (or tramway tracks) to another. ...

Maglev needs very fast-responding control systems to maintain a stable height above the track; this needs careful design in the event of a failure in order to avoid crashing into the track during a power fluctuation.

Economics

The Shanghai maglev cost 9.93 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion) to build.^[3] This total includes infrastructure capital costs such as manufacturing and construction facilities, and operational training. At 50 yuan per passenger^[4] and the current 7,000 passengers per day, income from the system is incapable of recouping the capital costs (including interest on financing) over the expected lifetime of the system, even ignoring operating costs.

China aims to limit the cost of future construction extending the maglev line to approximately 200 million yuan (US$24.6 million) per kilometer.^[3] These costs compare competitively with airport construction (e.g., Hong Kong Airport cost US$20 billion to build in 1998) and eight-lane Interstate highway systems that cost around US$50 million per mile in the US. Hong Kong International Airport Hong Kong International Airport (香港國際機場), popularly referred to as Chek Lap Kok Airport (赤鱲角機場 Pinyin: Chìliè Jiǎo, Red Perch Cape), is the international airport of Hong Kong. ... Interstate Highways in the lower 48 states. ...

While high-speed maglevs are expensive to build, they are less expensive to operate and maintain than traditional high-speed trains, planes or intercity buses.^{[citation needed]} Data from the Shanghai maglev project indicates that operation and maintenance costs are covered by the current relatively low volume of 7,000 passengers per day.^{[citation needed]} Passenger volumes on the Pudong International Airport line are expected to rise dramatically once the line is extended from Longyang Road metro station all the way to Shanghai's downtown train depot.

The proposed Chūō Shinkansen maglev in Japan is estimated to cost approximately US$82 billion to build, with a route blasting long tunnels through mountains. A Tokaido maglev route replacing current Shinkansen would cost some 1/10 the cost, as no new tunnel blasting would be needed, but noise pollution issues would make it infeasible. Proposed Chuo Shinkansen route (gray) and existing Tokaido Shinkansen route (gold). ... Proposed Chuo Shinkansen route (gray) and existing Tokaido Shinkansen route (gold). ... Tōkaidō Main Line The Tōkaidō Main Line ) is the busiest trunk line of Japan Railway (JR), connecting Tokyo Station and Kobe Station. ...

The only low-speed maglev (100 km/h) currently operational, the Japanese Linimo HSST, cost approximately US$100 million/km to build^[5]. Besides offering improved O&M costs over other transit systems, these low-speed maglevs provide ultra-high levels of operational reliability and introduce little noise and zero air pollution into dense urban settings. Linimo train approaching Banpaku Kinen Koen, towards Fujigaoka Station Linimo ), formally the Aichi High-Speed Transit Tobu Kyuryo Line ) is a magnetic levitation train line in Aichi, Japan, near the city of Nagoya. ... In mathematics, the term dense has at least three different meanings. ...

As maglev systems are deployed around the world, experts expect construction costs to drop as new construction methods are perfected.^{[citation needed]}

Historical maglev systems

First patents

High speed transportation patents would be granted to various inventors throughout the world.^[6] Early United States patents for a linear motor propelled train were awarded to the inventor, Alfred Zehden (German). The inventor would gain U.S. Patent 782,312  (June 21, 1902) and U.S. Patent RE12,700  (August 21, 1907).^[7] In 1907, another early electromagnetic transportation system was developed by F. S. Smith^[8]. A series of German patents for magnetic levitation trains propelled by linear motors were awarded to Hermann Kemper between 1937 and 1941^[9]. An early modern type of maglev train was described in U.S. Patent 3,158,765 , Magnetic system of transportation, by G. R. Polgreen (August 25, 1959). The first use of "maglev" in a United States patent was in "Magnetic levitation guidance"^[10] by Canadian Patents and Development Limited. is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1902 (MCMII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday [1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 237th day of the year (238th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Hamburg, Germany 1979

Transrapid 05 was the first maglev train with longstator propulsion licensed for passenger transportation. In 1979 a 908 m track was open in Hamburg for the first International Transportation Exhibition (IVA 79). There was so much interest that operation had to be extended three months after exhibition finished, after carrying more than 50,000 passengers. It was reassembled in Kassel in 1980. Transrapid at the Emsland test facility Transrapid is a German monorail system using magnetic levitation. ... This article is about the city in Germany. ... This article is about the city of Kassel in Hessen, Germany. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

Birmingham, England 1984–1995

The world's first commercial automated system was a low-speed maglev shuttle that ran from the airport terminal of Birmingham International Airport to the nearby Birmingham International railway station from 1984 to 1995. Based on experimental work commissioned by the British government at the British Rail Research Division laboratory at Derby, the length of the track was 600 meters (1,969 ft), and trains "flew" at an altitude of 15 millimeters (0.6 in). It was in operation for nearly eleven years, but obsolescence problems with the electronic systems (lack of spare parts) made it unreliable in its later years and it has now been replaced with a cable-drawn system. Birmingham International Airport (IATA: BHX, ICAO: EGBB) is a major airport located 5. ... Birmingham International railway station is located in the borough of Solihull, just east of the city of Birmingham in England. ... The British Rail Research Division came into being in 1964 directly under the control of the British Railways Board, moving into purpose-built premises at the Railway Technical Centre in Derby. ... Derby (pronounced dar-bee ) is a city in the East Midlands of England. ... Obsolescence is a made up word referring to the state of being which occurs when a person, object, or service is no longer wanted even though it may still be in good working order. ...

Several favourable conditions existed when the link was built.

1. The BR Research vehicle was 3 tons and extension to the 8 ton vehicle was easy.
2. Electrical power was easily available.
3. Airport and rail buildings were suitable for terminal platforms.
4. Only one crossing over a public road was required and no steep gradients were involved
5. Land was owned by Railway or Airport
6. Local industries and councils were supportive
7. Some Government finance was provided and because of sharing work, the cost per organization was not high.

Japan, 1980s

Maglev speeds on the Miyazaki test track had regularly hit 517 km/h by 1979, but after an accident that destroyed the train, a new design was decided upon. Tests through the 1980s continued in Miyazaki before transferring a far larger and elaborate test track (20 km long) in Yamanashi in the late 1990s. Miyazaki can be: Miyazaki prefecture Miyazaki city of Miyazaki prefecture Name of famous Japanese animator and filmmaker, Hayao Miyazaki Takiri Miyazaki, an athlete Tsutomu Miyazaki, a serial killer and otaku A common Japanese family name. ...

In Tsukuba, Japan (1985), the HSST-03 (Linimo) wins popularity in spite of being 30km/h and a run of low speed in Tsukuba World Exposition. In Okazaki, Japan (1987), the JR-Maglev took a test ride at holding Okazaki exhibition and runs. In Saitama, Japan (1988), the HSST-04-1 exhibited it at Saitama exhibition performed in Kumagaya, and runs. Best speed per hour 30km/h. In Yokohama, Japan (1989), the HSST-05 acquires a business driver's license at Yokohama exhibition and carries out general test ride driving. Maximum speed 42km/h. Tsukuba (Japanese: つくば市; -shi; from Han character 筑波) is a planned city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. ... Linimo train approaching Banpaku Kinen Koen, towards Fujigaoka Station Linimo ), formally the Aichi High-Speed Transit Tobu Kyuryo Line ) is a magnetic levitation train line in Aichi, Japan, near the city of Nagoya. ... Expo 85 was a worlds fair held in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan (Tsukuba Science City, a planned city focused on technology north of Tokyo) between March 17 and September 16, 1985. ... The word Okazaki can refer to several things: Okazaki, Aichi – a city in Japan. ... Saitama (Japanese: さいたま市; -shi) is the capital city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan. ... Kumagaya (Japanese: 熊谷市; -shi) is a city located in Saitama, Japan and part of the Greater Tokyo Area. ... For the town of Yokohama in Aomori Prefecture, see Yokohama, Aomori. ...

Vancouver, Canada & Hamburg, Germany 1986-1988

In Vancouver, Canada (1986), the JR-Maglev took a test ride at holding Vancouver traffic exhibition and runs. In Hamburg, Germany (1988), the TR-07 in international traffic exhibition (IVA88) performed Hamburg. For other uses, see Vancouver (disambiguation). ...

Berlin, Germany 1989–1991

Main article: M-Bahn

In West Berlin, the M-Bahn was built in the late 1980s. It was a driverless maglev system with a 1.6 km track connecting three stations. Testing in passenger traffic started in August 1989, and regular operation started in July 1991. Although the line largely followed a new elevated alignment, it terminated at the U-Bahn station Gleisdreieck, where it took over a platform that was then no longer in use; it was from a line that formerly ran to East Berlin. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, plans were set in motion to reconnect this line (today's U2). Deconstruction of the M-Bahn line began only two months after regular service began and was completed in February 1992. M-Bahn train at the Nürnberg railway museum The M-Bahn or Magnetbahn was a local transport train built in the 1980s in Berlin. ... Boroughs of West Berlin West Berlin was the name given to the western part of Berlin between 1949 and 1990. ... M-Bahn train at the Nürnberg railway museum The M-Bahn or Magnetbahn was a local transport train built in the 1980s in Berlin. ... The 1980s refers to the years from 1980 to 1989. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Train leaving Nollendorfplatz, one of the original stations of the Berlin U-Bahn The Berlin (, English: ) is a major part of the public transport system of the German capital, Berlin. ... East Berlin was the name given to the eastern part of Berlin between 1949 and 1990. ... East German construction workers building the Berlin Wall, November 20, 1961. ...

The history of maximum speed record by a trial run

• 1971 - West Germany - Prinzipfahrzeug - 90 km/h
• 1971 - West Germany -TR-02(TSST)- 164 km/h
• 1972 - Japan - ML100 - 60 km/h - (manned)
• 1973 - West Germany - TR04 - 250 (manned)
• 1974 - West Germany - EET-01 - 230 km/h (unmanned)
• 1975 - West Germany - Komet - 401.3 km/h (by steam rocket propulsion, unmanned)
• 1978 - Japan - HSST-01 - 307.8 km/h (by supporting rockets propulsion, made in Nissan, unmanned)
• 1978 - Japan - HSST-02 - 110 km/h (manned)
• 1979-12-12 - Japan-ML-500R - 504 km/h (unmanned) It succeeds in operation over 500km/h for the first time in the world.
• 1979-12-21 - Japan -ML-500R- 517 km/h (unmanned)
• 1987 - West Germany - TR06 - 406 km/h (manned)
• 1987 - Japan - MLU001 - 400.8 km/h (manned)
• 1988 - West Germany - TR-06 - 412.6 km/h (manned)
• 1989 - West Germany - TR-07 - 436 km/h (manned)
• 1993 - Germany - TR-07 - 450 km/h (manned)
• 1994 - Japan - MLU002N - 431 km/h (unmanned)
• 1997 - Japan - MLX01 - 531 km/h (manned)
• 1997 - Japan - MLX01 - 550 km/h (unmanned)
• 1999 - Japan - MLX01 - 548 km/h (unmanned)
• 1999 - Japan - MLX01 - 552 km/h (manned/five formation).

Guinness authorization. Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... Tsst, (also known as The Dog Whisperer,) is episode #146 of Comedy Centrals animated comedy tv series, South Park which aired on May 3, 2006. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Nissan Motor Co. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... is the 346th day of the year (347th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... This article is about the year. ... This article is about the year. ... Guinness World Records 2008 edition. ...

• 2003 - Germany - TR-08 - 501 km/h (manned)
• 2003 - Japan - MLX01 - 581 km/h (manned/three formation).

Guinness authorization. Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Guinness World Records 2008 edition. ...

Existing maglev systems

Emsland, Germany

Transrapid at the Emsland test facility

Main article: Emsland test facility

Transrapid, a German maglev company, has a test track in Emsland with a total length of 31.5 km (19.6 mi). The single track line runs between Dörpen and Lathen with turning loops at each end. The trains regularly run at up to 420 km/h (261 mph). The construction of the test facility began in 1980 and finished in 1984. Download high resolution version (833x526, 54 KB)A Transrapid train in Germany Copyright: Picture taken from the German Wikipedia, see de:Bild:Transrapid. ... Download high resolution version (833x526, 54 KB)A Transrapid train in Germany Copyright: Picture taken from the German Wikipedia, see de:Bild:Transrapid. ... The Emsland Transrapid Test Facility (TVE) is a testing site for Transrapid trains in Emsland. ... The Emsland Transrapid Test Facility (TVE) is a testing site for Transrapid trains in Emsland. ... Transrapid at the Emsland test facility Transrapid is a German monorail system using magnetic levitation. ... Emsland is a district in Lower Saxony, Germany. ... “Miles” redirects here. ... Dörpen is an administrative unit in the district Emsland in Lower Saxony, Germany. ... Lathen is an administrative unit in the district Emsland in Lower Saxony, Germany. ...

JR-Maglev, Japan

JR-Maglev at Yamanashi. 581 km/h. Guinness World Records authorization.

Main article: JR-Maglev

Japan has a demonstration line in Yamanashi prefecture where test trains JR-Maglev MLX01 have reached 581 km/h (361 mph), slightly faster than any wheeled trains (the current TGV speed record is 574.8 km/h, 357.0 mph). Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 529 KB) Summary JR-Maglev (which is Maglev train in Japan). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 529 KB) Summary JR-Maglev (which is Maglev train in Japan). ... Map of Yamanashi Prefecture. ... Guinness World Records 2008 edition. ... JR-Maglev, MLX01, at Yamanashi JR-Maglev, MLX01 (X means Experimental), is a magnetic levitation train system developed by the Japan Railway Technical Reasearch Institute (association of Japan Railway Group), composed of a maximum 5 cars to run on the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line. ... Map of Yamanashi Prefecture. ... JR-Maglev, MLX01, at Yamanashi JR-Maglev, MLX01 (X means Experimental), is a magnetic levitation train system developed by the Japan Railway Technical Reasearch Institute (association of Japan Railway Group), composed of a maximum 5 cars to run on the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line. ... For the group of heart conditions referred to as TGV, see Transposition of the great vessels. ...

These trains use superconducting magnets which allow for a larger gap, and repulsive-type Electro-Dynamic Suspension (EDS). In comparison Transrapid uses conventional electromagnets and attractive-type Electro-Magnetic Suspension (EMS). These "Superconducting Maglev Shinkansen", developed by the Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, are currently the fastest trains in the world, achieving a record speed of 581 km/h on December 2, 2003. Yamanashi Prefecture residents (and government officials) can sign up to ride this for free, and some 100,000 have done so already. Superconducting magnets are electromagnets that are built using superconducting coils. ... See: Look up Attractive in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... See: Look up Attractive in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... JR Central Towers in Nagoya The Central Japan Railway Company (東海旅客鉄道 JR Tōkai; JR 東海) is the main railway company operating in the Chubu (Nagoya) region of central Japan. ... Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. ... JR-Maglev MLX01 at Yamanashi. ... is the 336th day of the year (337th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Linimo (Tobu Kyuryo Line, Japan)

Linimo train approaching Banpaku Kinen Koen, towards Fujigaoka Station in March 2005

Main article: Linimo

The world's first commercial automated "Urban Maglev" system commenced operation in March 2005 in Aichi, Japan. This is the nine-station 8.9 km long Tobu-kyuryo Line, otherwise known as the Linimo. The line has a minimum operating radius of 75 m and a maximum gradient of 6%. The linear-motor magnetic-levitated train has a top speed of 100 km/h. The line serves the local community as well as the Expo 2005 fair site. The trains were designed by the Chubu HSST Development Corporation (Japan Airlines developed it in the mid-1970s; it has since been withdrawn), which also operates a test track in Nagoya. Urban-type maglevs patterned after the HSST have been constructed and demonstrated in Korea, and a Korean commercial version Rotem is now under construction in Daejeon and projected to go into operation by April 2007. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 512 KB) Attribution GFDL-self and cc-by-sa 2. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 512 KB) Attribution GFDL-self and cc-by-sa 2. ... Linimo train approaching Banpaku Kinen Koen, towards Fujigaoka Station Linimo ), formally the Aichi High-Speed Transit Tobu Kyuryo Line ) is a magnetic levitation train line in Aichi, Japan, near the city of Nagoya. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Aichi can refer to: Aichi Prefecture Aichi Steel Corporation This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Linimo train approaching Banpaku Kinen Koen, towards Fujigaoka Station Linimo ), formally the Aichi High-Speed Transit Tobu Kyuryo Line ) is a magnetic levitation train line in Aichi, Japan, near the city of Nagoya. ... A part of the Global Loop at Expo 2005 Expo with the Corporate Pavilions in the background Wonder Circus, the Electric Power Pavilion Expo 2005 was the Worlds Fair held in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, east of the city of Nagoya. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Rotem is a South Korean company manufacturing rolling stock, defense products and plant equipment. ... Short name Statistics Location map Map of South Korea highlighting the city. ...

FTA's UMTD program

In the US, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Urban Maglev Technology Demonstration program has funded the design of several low-speed urban maglev demonstration projects. It has assessed HSST for the Maryland Department of Transportation and maglev technology for the Colorado Department of Transportation. The FTA has also funded work by General Atomics at California University of Pennsylvania to demonstrate new maglev designs, the MagneMotion M3 and of the Maglev2000 of Florida superconducting EDS system. Other US urban maglev demonstration projects of note are the LEVX in Washington State and the Massachusetts-based Magplane. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) within the U.S. Department of Transportation provides financial and technical assistance to the local transit systems. ... The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is a government agency in the U.S. state of Maryland. ... General Atomics is a nuclear physics and defense contractor headquartered in San Diego, California. ... California University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Cal U) is a public university located in California, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1852, it is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. ...

Southwest Jiaotong University, China

On December 31, 2000, the first crewed high-temperature superconducting maglev was tested successfully at Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China. This system is based on the principle that bulk high-temperature superconductors can be levitated or suspended stably above or below a permanent magnet. The load was over 530 kg (1166 lb) and the levitation gap over 20 mm (0.79 in). The system uses liquid nitrogen, which is very cheap, to cool the superconductor. is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... Southwest Jiaotong University [Chinese: 西南交通大学; Pinyin: xÄ«nán jiāotōng dàxué] is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in mainland China. ... The pound or pound-mass (abbreviations: lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States, #) is a unit of mass (sometimes called weight in everyday parlance) in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... General Name, Symbol, Number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless gas Standard atomic weight 14. ... Superconductivity is a phenomenon occurring in certain materials at low temperatures, characterised by the complete absence of electrical resistance and the damping of the interior magnetic field (the Meissner effect. ...

Shanghai Maglev Train

A maglev train coming out of the Pudong International Airport.

Main article: Shanghai Maglev Train

Transrapid, in Germany, constructed the first operational high-speed conventional maglev railway in the world, the Shanghai Maglev Train from downtown Shanghai (Shanghai Metro) to the Pudong International Airport. It was inaugurated in 2002. The highest speed achieved on the Shanghai track has been 501 km/h (311 mph), over a track length of 30 km. The plan for the Shanghai-Hangzhou Maglev Train was approved by the central government in February 2006, with plans for completion by 2010. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2338x1259, 604 KB) // Source This photo was collected and published by Alexander Needham. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2338x1259, 604 KB) // Source This photo was collected and published by Alexander Needham. ... Shanghai Maglev Train Maglev train stopping at terminus Longyang Road station Inside the Shanghai Transrapid maglev Inside the Shanghai Transrapid maglev VIP section Shanghai Maglev Train (Shanghai Transrapid) (Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; literally Shanghai Magnetic Levitation Demonstration Operation Line) is the first commercial high-speed maglev line in the world. ... Transrapid at the Emsland test facility Transrapid is a German monorail system using magnetic levitation. ... For other uses, see Shanghai (disambiguation). ... The Shanghai Metro (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: ) is an urban rapid transit system that serves the city of Shanghai by transporting around 1. ... Shanghai Pudong International Airport (Exterior) September 2004 Pudong International Airport (Chinese: 浦东国际机场 pinyin: Pǔdōng Guójì Jīcháng) is an airport located in the eastern part of Pudong district of Shanghai, Peoples Republic of China. ... For other uses, see Shanghai (disambiguation). ... Shanghai-Hangzhou Maglev Train is a proposed maglev train line from Shanghai to Hangzhou, in eastern China. ...

Under construction

Old Dominion University

A track of less than a mile in length has been constructed at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Although the system was initially built by AMT, problems caused the company to abandon the project and turn it over to the University.^[11][12] The system is currently not operational, but research is ongoing to resolve stability issues with the system. This system uses a "smart train, dumb track" that involves most of the sensors, magnets, and computation occurring on the train rather than the track. This system will cost less to build per mile than existing systems. The $14 million originally planned did not allow for completion. Old Dominion University (ODU) is a public research university located in Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. It was established in 1930 as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. ... Motto: Crescas (Latin for, Thou shalt grow. ...

AMT Test Track - Powder Springs, GA

The same principle is involved in the construction of a second prototype system in Powder Springs, Georgia, by American Maglev Technology, Inc., already under testing and set for completion in January 2007.^[13]

Proposals

Main article: Maglev train proposals

Many maglev systems have been proposed in various nations of North America, Asia, and Europe. Many of the systems are still in the early planning stages, or, in the case of the transatlantic tunnel, mere speculation. However, a few of the following examples have progressed beyond that point. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Transatlantic Tunnel is a structure which would span the Atlantic Ocean between the east coast of the USA and U.K.. Plans for such a tunnel have not progressed beyond the outline concept stage and no companies or governments are actively pursuing such a project. ...

United Kingdom

Main article: UK Ultraspeed

London – Glasgow: A maglev line has recently been proposed in the United Kingdom from London to Glasgow with several route options through the Midlands, Northwest and Northeast of England and was reported to be under favourable consideration by the government; however the technology was rejected for future planning in the Government White Paper Delivering a Sustainable Railway published on July 24, 2007.^[14]. A further high speed link is also being planned between Glasgow and Edinburgh though there is no settled technology for this concept yet, ie (Maglev/Hi Speed Electric etc) [7] [8] [9] The UK Ultraspeed line is a proposed magnetic-levitation train line between London and Glasgow and linking most of the major cities, including Birmingham, Manchester, and Newcastle. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation). ... A white paper is an authoritative report. ... is the 205th day of the year (206th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Japan

TokyoーNagoyaーOsaka For other uses, see Tokyo (disambiguation). ... Nagoya ) is the fourth largest city in Japan. ... Osaka )   is a city in Japan, located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, in the Kansai region of the main island of HonshÅ«. The city is the capital of Osaka Prefecture. ...

Proposed Chuo Shinkansen route (gray) and existing Tokaido Shinkansen route (gold).

In April of 2007, JR Central President Masayuki Matsumoto said that JR Central would aim to begin commercial maglev service between Tokyo and Nagoya in the year 2025. Image File history File links Chuo-Shinkansen. ... Image File history File links Chuo-Shinkansen. ... Proposed Chuo Shinkansen route (gray) and existing Tokaido Shinkansen route (gold). ... Aichi can refer to: Aichi Prefecture Aichi Steel Corporation This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... JR Central Towers in Nagoya The Central Japan Railway Company (東海旅客鉄道 JR Tōkai; JR 東海) is the main railway company operating in the Chubu (Nagoya) region of central Japan. ...

• Linear Chuo Shinkansen Project

Venezuela

Caracas – La Guaira: A maglev train is scheduled to be built this year connecting the capital city Caracas to the main port town of La Guaira and Simón Bolívar International Airport. Due to the extremely mountainous conditions which exist over this path, with traditional rail extensive use of tunnelling and bridging is required. Maglev systems can negotiate gradients of up to 10%, much steeper than those negotiable by standard rail systems, and as it may simply be able to climb over obstacles rather than be required to tunnel through or bridge over, this may make the maglev proposal more economically sound. The system is slated to be a stand-alone system of about 11 km. [10] Nickname: La Sultana del Avila (English:The Avilas Sultan) La Sucursal del paraiso Motto: Ave María Santísima, sin pecado concebida, en el primer instante de su ser natural. ... La Guaira is the capital of the Venezuelan state of Vargas. ... La Guaira is the capital of the Venezuelan state of Vargas. ... Simón Bolívar International Airport (IATA: CCS, ICAO: SVMI), also known as Maiquetia International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de Maiquetia Simón Bolívar), is located in Maiquetía, Venezuela, about 13 miles from Downtown Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. ...

China

Shanghai – Hangzhou: China has decided to extend the world’s first commercial Transrapid line between Pudong airport and the city of Shanghai initially by some 35 kilometers to Hong Qiao airport before the World Expo 2010 and then, in an additional phase, by 200 kilometers to the city of Hangzhou (Shanghai-Hangzhou Maglev Train), becoming the first inter-city Maglev rail line in commercial service in the world. The line will be an extension of the Shanghai airport Maglev line. For other uses, see Shanghai (disambiguation). ...   (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Postal map spelling: Hangchow) is a sub-provincial city located in the Yangtze River Delta in the Peoples Republic of China, and the capital of Zhejiang province. ... Expo 2010 logo Expo 2010 will be held in Shanghai, China and is a scheduled Worlds Fair in the grand tradition of international fairs and expositions. ... Shanghai-Hangzhou Maglev Train is a proposed maglev train line from Shanghai to Hangzhou, in eastern China. ... Inter-city rail services are train services which cover larger distances than commuter trains. ... Shanghai Maglev Train Maglev train stopping at terminus Longyang Road station Inside the Shanghai Transrapid maglev Inside the Shanghai Transrapid maglev VIP section Shanghai Maglev Train (Shanghai Transrapid) (Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; literally Shanghai Magnetic Levitation Demonstration Operation Line) is the first commercial high-speed maglev line in the world. ...

Talks with Germany and Transrapid Konsortium about the details of the construction contracts have started. On March 7, 2006, the Chinese Minister of Transportation was quoted by several Chinese and Western newspapers as saying the line was approved. Transrapid at the Emsland test facility Transrapid is a German monorail system using magnetic levitation. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

India

Mumbai – Delhi:A maglev line project was presented to the India transportation minister Lalu Prasad by an American company, thin line if approved would serve between the cities of Mumbai and Delhi, the Prime Minister Manmohan singh said that if the line project is succeeded Indian government would build lines between other cities and also between Mumbai centre and Chattrapati Shivaji International Airport. Mumbai maglev train , “Bombay” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Delhi (disambiguation). ...

United States

California-Nevada Interstate Maglev: High-speed maglev lines between major cities of southern California and Las Vegas are also being studied via the California-Nevada Interstate Maglev Project. This plan was originally supposed to be part of an I-5 or I-15 expansion plan, but the federal government has ruled it must be separated from interstate public work projects. The California-Nevada Interstate Maglev project is a project aimed to build a Maglev line from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. ... For further information, see Las Vegas metropolitan area and Las Vegas Strip. ...

Since the federal government decision, private groups from Nevada have proposed a line running from Las Vegas to Los Angeles with stops in Primm, Nevada; Baker, California; and points throughout Riverside County into Los Angeles. Southern California politicians have not been receptive to these proposals; many are concerned that a high speed rail line out of state would drive out dollars that would be spent in state "on a rail" to Nevada. I-15 and Whiskey Petes casino, Primm, NV Primm (often called Primm Valley, after one of its casinos) is a tiny community of Clark County, Nevada, primarily notable for its position straddling Interstate 15 where it crosses the border between California and Nevada. ... Worlds tallest thermometer, in Baker California View of Baker from the east; I-15 jogs south around the town, leaving Baker Boulevard, the main street, to show where the pre-interstate highway (US 91 and US 466) went. ... Riverside County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of California, stretching from Orange County to the Colorado River, which is the border with Arizona. ...

Baltimore-Washington D.C. Maglev: A 64 km project has been proposed linking Camden Yards in Baltimore and Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport to Union Station in Washington, D.C. It is in demand for the area due to its current traffic/congestion problems. Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ...

The Pennsylvania Project: The Pennsylvania High-Speed Maglev Project corridor extends from the Pittsburgh International Airport to Greensburg, with intermediate stops in downtown Pittsburgh and Monroeville. This initial project will serve a population of approximately 2.4 million people in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The Baltimore proposal is competing with the Pittsburgh proposal for a $90 million federal grant.The point of the project is to see if the Maglev system can function properly in a U.S. city environment.^[15]

Spain

Madrid: A maglev line between the airport (Madrid Barajas) and three places of the city (Chamartín, Alcalá de Henares, Carabanchel) has been proposed, and is now being studied by the government. It would be similar to Shanghai's maglev. The news came through on "La Razón" newspaper on 4 June 2007. This article is about the Spanish capital. ... is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Germany

On September 25, 2007, Bavaria announced it will build the high-speed maglev - rail service from Munich city to its airport, Europe's first commercial track. The Bavarian government signed contract with Deutsche Bahn and Transrapid with Siemens and ThyssenKrupp for the 1.85 billion euro ($2.6 billion) project.^[16] is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Bavaria (disambiguation). ... High Speed is a 1986 pinball game designed by Steve Ritchie and released by Williams Electronics. ... For other uses, see Munich (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see City (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... Look up Commercial in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The word track can mean more than one thing. ... For other uses, see Bavaria (disambiguation). ... A contract is a legally binding exchange of promises or agreement between parties that the law will enforce. ... Germanys main train operator, the Deutsche Bahn AG (German Railway Corporation, also known as DB or DBAG) provides passenger and freight service via federally owned tracks. ... Transrapid at the Emsland test facility Transrapid is a German monorail system using magnetic levitation. ... Siemens has the following uses: Siemens is a German family name carried by generations of the telecommunications industrialists, including Werner von Siemens, Sir William Siemens, Wilhelm von Siemens and Peter von Siemens Siemens AG is a German electrical and telecommunications company, founded as a telegraph equipment manufacturer by Werner von... ThyssenKrupp AG (ISIN: DE0007500001) is a very large German industrial conglomerate, with about 188,000 employees. ... For other uses, see Euro (disambiguation). ... A project is a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a product or service[1]. // The word project comes from the Latin word projectum from projicere, to throw something forwards which in turn comes from pro-, which denotes something that precedes the action of the next part of the word in...

Most significant accidents and incidents

October 1991 fire

The MLU002 (Japan) test train was completely consumed in a fire in Miyazaki. As a result, the political opposition claimed maglev was a waste of public money. New designs were made. Miyazaki can be: Miyazaki prefecture Miyazaki city of Miyazaki prefecture Name of famous Japanese animator and filmmaker, Hayao Miyazaki Takiri Miyazaki, an athlete Tsutomu Miyazaki, a serial killer and otaku A common Japanese family name. ...

August 2006 fire

On August 11, 2006 a fire broke out on the Shanghai commercial Transrapid, shortly after leaving the terminal in Longyang. is the 223rd day of the year (224th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Transrapid at the Emsland test facility Transrapid is a German monorail system using magnetic levitation. ...

For more details, see Transrapid

September 2006 crash

Main article: 2006 Lathen maglev train accident

On September 22, 2006 an elevated Transrapid train collided with a maintenance vehicle on a test run in Lathen (Lower Saxony / north-western Germany). Twenty-three people were killed and ten were injured. These were the first fatalities resulting from a Maglev train accident. Note though, this accident was caused by human error. ^[17] Transrapid at the Emsland test facility Transrapid is a German monorail system using magnetic levitation. ... The 2006 Lathen maglev train accident occurred on September 22, 2006 when a Transrapid magnetic levitation (or maglev) train collided with a maintenance vehicle near Lathen, Germany, killing at least 23 people. ... is the 265th day of the year (266th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Transrapid at the Emsland test facility Transrapid is a German monorail system using magnetic levitation. ...

See also

Energy Portal

Trains Portal

• Chūō Shinkansen, planned Tokyo-Osaka maglev Shinkansen line
• Ground effect train
• High-speed rail
• JR-Maglev MLX01
• Land speed record for railed vehicles
• Linear motor
• Magnetic levitation
• Mass driver
• Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line
• SkyTrain (Vancouver)
• Skytran
• Shanghai Maglev Train, world's first commercial maglev line
• Shanghai-Hangzhou Maglev Train, proposed maglev line in China
• Railway

Notes

Further reading

• Heller, Arnie. "A New Approach for Magnetically Levitating Trains--and Rockets", Science & Technology Review, June 1998. 
• Hood, Christopher P. (2006). Shinkansen – From Bullet Train to Symbol of Modern Japan. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-32052-6. 
• Moon, Francis C. (1994). Superconducting Levitation Applications to Bearings and Magnetic Transportation. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 0-471-55925-3. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Magnetic levitation train

Look up maglev in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• International Maglev Board (IMB)
• United States Federal Railroad Administration
• Transrapid
• The UK Ultraspeed Project
• The Shanghai Maglev
• Japanese Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI)
• Open Directory
• Documentary video about the Japanese maglev
• Pics and info about moderate and high speed maglevs
• Maglev review and pics
• AMLEV MDS System
• Birmingham's Maglev sytem (BBC)
• Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) for Transportation