PERSPECTIVE ON MAGLEV TRANSIT AND INTRODUCTION OF PERSONAL RAPID TRANSIT MAGLEV

A critical review of maglev trains and conventional wheeled trains is presented in an attempt to identify the performance advantages of maglev. Traditionally claimed advantages of maglev were not found to hold up to wheeled train systems incorporating similar non-contacting propulsion; however, performance advantages were identified for velocities greater than 500 mph (805 km/hr). Because travel at atmospheric pressure is not practical at these high velocities, an analysis was made for applications in tubes of reduced pressures. The feasibility of a personal rapid transit (PRT) system designed with maglev suspension and for travel in tubes of reduced pressure is evaluated. The PRT maglev appears to have superior service capabilities yet no obvious technological barriers. An economic comparison to maglev train systems suggests that the PRT maglev would cost about 40% less while providing appeal to a broader audience. Proposed performance advantages of the PRT maglev include reduced energy consumption, reliance on electrical power, and significantly reduced transit times compared to air or train systems. A practical approach to implementation is presented and consists of initially using lower velocities, higher tube pressures, and PRT vehicles connected as train units. Proposed evolution of the system includes attaining higher velocities and incorporating superconductive elements in the rail embodiments.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1995/1496/1496-013.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=PERSPECTIVE+ON+MAGLEV+TRANSIT+AND+INTRODUCTION+OF+PERSONAL+RAPID+TRANSIT+MAGLEV&author=G.+Suppes&publication_year=1995
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309061741
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1496, Public Transportation 1995: Current Research in Planning, Management, Technology, and Ridesharing. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Suppes, Galen J
• Publication Date: 1995

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 103-111
• Monograph Title: Public transportation 1995: current research in planning, management, technology, and ridesharing
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1496
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Economic analysis; Energy consumption; Feasibility analysis; Implementation; Innovation; Magnetic levitation; Performance; Personal rapid transit; Travel time; Tubing
• Old TRIS Terms: Future concepts; Maglev train systems; Tube systems
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Research;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00714926
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309061741
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Dec 15 1995 12:00AM