ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL FOR MAGNETIC LEVITATION TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS IN THE UNITED STATES. A REPORT TO CONGRESS

The Supplement of this report to Congress includes a more detailed discussion of technological, economic and legal issues involved in advancing a U.S. maglev system. Chapter I describes generic maglev concepts, the history of U.S., German, Japanese, and other maglev development as well as future plans and potential applications. Chapter II describes the current state of maglev technological development, based on available information on the German attractive electro-magnetic system (EMS) suspension, the Japan Railways repulsive superconducting electro-dynamic system (EDS) suspension, the Japanese High Speed Surface Transportation (HSST) EMS maglev system, the U.S.-designed Magneplane system (EDS), and other design concepts. Chapter III assesses the technical feasibility of maglev in the United States and discusses the potential for a U.S. role in advancing development of maglev technology, particularly in the areas of guideway technology and vehicle and levitation/propulsion system design. Chapter IV forecasts net revenues and capital cost coverage based on ridership and revenue forecasts from projections of fares, travelers and trip times for maglev and competing modes, and estimates of fixed facility and vehicle costs. Chapter V reviews ways to assist U.S. industry efforts to assume a leadership role in maglev, including funding for research and development, incentives and disincentives to private investors, new financing options that may be attractive to pursue, and legal and institutional issues involved in construction and operation of maglev systems. This chapter incorporates input from FRA's extensive discussions with senior executives of firms that can be expected to participate in a maglev development program. A glossary of terms and a bibliography are included.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • The companion report is TRIS
• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Railroad Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1990-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: v.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Assessments; Design; Development; Economic factors; Electromagnetism; Feasibility analysis; Financing; High speed ground transportation; Legal factors; Magnetic levitation; Private enterprise; Research; Superconductivity
• Uncontrolled Terms: Research and development
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Design data; Economic considerations
• Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Finance; Highways; Law; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; Railroads; Research; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00497138
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Railroad Administration
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM