THE VERY HIGH SPEED TRANSIT SYSTEM

The Very High Speed Transit or 'VHST' concept was put forward some years ago in response to the search for a pollution-free transport method that could operate at speeds competitive with aircraft. The general principles are relatively straightforward: Electromagnetically levitated and propelled cars in an evacuated tunnel. The VHST's "tubecraft" ride on, and are driven by, electromagnetic (EM) waves much as a surfboard rides the ocean's waves. The EM waves are generated by pulsed or by oscillating currents in electrical conductors that form the "roadbed" structure in the evacuated "tubeway." Opposing magnetic fields in the vehicle are generated by means of a loop of superconducting cable carrying on the order of a million amperes of current. The system is highly conservative of energy. Economic, environmental and technical aspects are briefly considered.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Previously announced as N73-13990.
• Corporate Authors:

  RAND Corporation

  1776 Main Street, P.O. Box 2138
  Santa Monica, CA  United States  90407-2138
• Authors:
  • Salter, R M
• Publication Date: 1972-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 19 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electrical equipment; Electromagnetic fields; Electromagnetism; Energy conservation; Environmental protection; High speed ground transportation; Intelligent transportation systems; Magnetic levitation; Superconductors; Transportation; Tubing; Tunnels; Vehicle drive systems; Vehicles
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced systems; Tube systems
• Subject Areas: Energy; Operations and Traffic Management; Transportation (General); Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00146974
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: P-4874
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 16 1977 12:00AM