STATE-BACKED BODIES COMPETE FOR MAG-LEV TRANSPORT PRIZE

The major Japanese rail (JNR) and airline (JAL) companies are independently developing similar high speed, noiseless pollution-free transport systems using magnetic levitation and the linear induction motor. It is hoped that the JAL system will be operational in 1982 running from Tokyo to the airport over an elevated guideway at 300km/h. Electric power for the linear induction motor is picked up from a third rail through a carbon shoe attached to the vehicle. The JNR development is designed to be a 500km/h inter-city system to supplement the present Shinkansen network providing direct competition with domestic airlines. A linear synchronous motor creating a repulsive force is used to levitate and propel the vehicle 300mm above a concrete inverted t-shaped track. The magnets, which are superconductive, also react with a current in track mounted coils to produce the repulsive force. Because the levitation and guidance only function at speeds above 80km/h a rail and wheel system is added for low speeds. However the JNR system has the advantages of greater gap control at high speeds and requires no "third rail" power supply. /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03077683
• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Civil Engineers

  One Great George Street, Westminster
  London,   United Kingdom  SW1P 3AA
• Publication Date: 1977-6-23

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 18-19
• Serial:
  • NEW CIVIL ENGINEER
  • Issue Number: 248
  • Publisher: EMAP CONSTRUCT LIMITED
  • ISSN: 0307-7683

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airports; Competition; Electricity; Elevated guideways; High occupancy vehicle lanes; High speed ground transportation; Intercity transportation; Linear induction motors; Linear motors; Magnetic levitation; Magnetic properties; Motor vehicles; Noise control; Railroad bridges; Rapid transit; Right of way (Traffic); Technology; Transportation modes; Urban areas
• Identifier Terms: Shinkansen
• Uncontrolled Terms: Quiet vehicles
• Geographic Terms: Asia; Japan
• ITRD Terms: 1037: Airport; 8005: Asia; 6954: Electricity; 639: Exclusive right of way; 388: Inter urban; 8053: Japan; 1306: Linear motor; 6936: Magnetism; 1181: Rapid transit system; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00163759
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: Analtyic
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 29 1981 12:00AM