Maglev trains – trains of the

future

Authors: Tomasz Pośpiech

Mateusz Grzesik

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 Plan of presentation

 What is Maglev?
 How does Maglev work?
 Advantages of Maglev Trains
 Description of existing and planned lines of Maglev system
 Summary: pros and cons
 Sources

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 What is Maglev?
Maglev is a type of the unconvetional rail
system which uses an electromagnetic force
as suspension instead of traditional wheels,
axles and bearings. Force is created by
strong electromagnets in such Maglev
systems as German Transrapid. The second
type of Maglev trains uses for suspension
superconducting magnets and physics
phenomena called Meisnner’s Effect (i.e
Japanese SCMaglev). Maglev trains just
levitate few centimeters above steel rail, so
there is no friction and less energy is
consumed for movement. Maglev trains can
easily speed up to 600 km/h in oper air. But
the most fascinating facility of Maglev is an
ability to speed up even to orbital speed
(approx. 28800 km/h) if we run train in a
vacuum tunnel. Consumed energy is less
than in traditional railway, even if we are
close to the orbital speed, so this is
definitely the way that future transport will
aim.

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 How does Maglev work?
German Maglev system called
Transrapid uses strong
electromagnets which force train
to levitate. One magnet on each
side of vehicle pull up train to
the safe distance above rail
(about 10 mm) and second
magnet affects with steel
guidance rail assembled into
track to prevent falling train
from construction. Transrapid
gains speed owing to linear
motor system installed in track.
By propulsion (changing
direction of magnetic field) there
is created a horizontal magnetic
force which speeds up vehicle.
LMS is used for braking as well.

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 How does Maglev work?

Japanese version of Maglev system uses superconductors to prepare magnetic bag. Train
„sits” on bag and levitate about 10 cm above the rail.
Superconductor is a special material which electrical resistance in certain conditions
decreases to zero. If we put superconductor into magnetic field, the physical phenomena
called Meissner’s Effect will be activated. Object which has no electrical resistance will be
pushed out from that magnetic field and start to levitate.
Scientists have already discovered superconductors that work in temperatures that occur in
our natural environment but they are very unstable, at present. To provide stability and
safety, constructors have to use stable superconductors which have to be cooled down to
temperature below -170˚ C to reach electrical resistance equal zero. Hence in Japanese
version of Maglev train there are containers with liquid nitrogen assembled to vehicle
which cool down superconductors.

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 Advantages: velocity

 Maglev trains in oper air can reach speed over 400 km/h much easier
than traditional high-speed railways because there is no friction
between wheel and steel rail.

 Maglev trains in vacuum tunnel can speed up to amazing 8 km/s

because there is no friction as well as environment resistance.

 There is already developed technology which makes Maglev able to

unhook selected part of train in full-speed mode. There is no need to
stop whole train, i.e on station. We can just detach one wagon and
guide it into station while the rest of the vehicle will remain in full-
speed motion. After passengers’ change that wagon is dispersed to full
speed and attached to the next train on line.

 In 2003, Japanese version of Maglev train reached a maximum speed

of 581 km/h and beated TGV in world speed record for rail vehicles.

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 Advantages: safety
 Maglev train can only run in one direction on each track because of propulsion, so
there is no chance to front collision. There is also no risk for rear collision because if
two trains on track will be close enough to each other, they will repel themselves like
two magnets with the same pole.
 In Japanese Maglev the stronger train presses onto magnetic bag, the stronger magnetic
forces pull train up, so there is no risk for going off the rail. In German Transrapid,
computer system precisely adjust gaps between train and rail, but even if the system
fails, vehicle will just sit on rail and stay safe.
 Lateral forces are nivelated by support electromagnets (Transrapid) or by guidance
coils assembled to track (Maglev). Train cannot be knocked out by wind etc.

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 Advantages: economy
 Maglev trains are much more energy efficient than traditional railway, because there is no
friction between wheel and rail. The only resistance that train have to handle with is the air
resistance, which is significant and economically non-profitable for speed over 600 km/h.

 In vacuum tunnel, there is no air resistance, so train won’t have any energy loses from
motion. About 90% of energy used for granting speed can be recovered during the braking
process. Transportation using vacuum train can be incredibly cheap, hence Maglev train could
transport even such common goods as water or sand.

Infrastructure for Maglev can be hid underground or elevated above city infrastructure so
there is no much space occupation. Maglev line can be built from prefabricated concrete blocks
which is fast and easy. There are also much lower costs of maintenance than in traditional
railways. System is silent and eco-friendly as well.

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 Description of existing and planned
Maglev railroads

China:

 The railroad was constructed in

2004; 30 km (red colour) The
average speed is 430 km/h
 Until 2009 the amount of people
who was transported on line was
23 mln
 Railroad in planning: 200 km
(orange colour)

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USA:

Las Vegas-Primm: the length of the railroad 56 km

Pittsburgh International Airport-Greensburg: the length of the railroad 87 km
Baltimore-Washington: the length of the railroad 63 km
Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport : the length of the railroad 50 km
The average speed on the tracks is 400 km/h

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United Arab Emirates : Great Britain:

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 Summary: pros and cons
Pros:
 High level of safety
(there is practically no chance for
the train to get derailed or to collide
with an another train)
Cons:
 Highly expensive investment (1 km
costs average 16 mln USD but can be
up to even 50 mln USD if we want
build vacuum tunnels)

 Short travel time (caused by vey fast

speed, over 400 km/h)

 Low operation cost caused by no

friction force between
the vehicle and the rails
and low power supply cost

 Maglev in vacuum tunnel is perfect

candidate for revolutionizing the word
transportation system

 Silent and ecologic transportation

system

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 Sources

 www.grzesik.wordpress.com
 www.transrapid.de
 www.swissmetro.ch
 www.maglev2000.com
 www.wikipedia.org

Thank you for your attention.

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