First, what is maglev technology?
Magnetic levitation (maglev) technology was originally developed in the United States in the early 1900s, but it never caught on commercially in the transportation industry. The first attempt to build a maglev train occurred in Paris in 1906, and there have since been many attempts around the world. To date, Germany and Japan have developed maglev systems for commercial use.
In a maglev train system, a magnetic field is used to lift the train above a platform and propel it. The most common forms of maglev are electromagnetic suspension (EMS), which uses electromagnets in the train to repel it away from a magnetically conductive track, and electrodynamic suspension (EDS), which uses electromagnets on both the train and the track to push the train away from the rail. It is almost as if the train is flying above the track. This technology produces the fastest speed on earth for any form of ground transportation; there is no equivalent rail project.
Are there currently any maglev systems in use?
Yes, there are currently four maglev systems in use—a low-speed train in Osaka, Japan; a high-speed test track in Japan; a high-speed test track in Emsland, Germany; and a high-speed maglev train in Shanghai, China—the only commercially used maglev system. This system uses German technology based on EMS technology.
The 19-mile-long Shanghai high-speed maglev, in use since early 2003, transports passengers from Pudong International Airport to the Long Yang Road station downtown. CDM provided engineering services, integrating geotechnical and structural design into the foundation and support structure design. In addition, our team trained Chinese engineers in applying the geotechnical methodology specifically developed by CDM for high-speed maglev high-tolerance requirements.
How does maglev differ from traditional high-speed rail systems?
Maglev systems have many benefits over traditional high-speed rail lines, but the most noteworthy difference, of course, is the speed. Maglev systems are much faster, travelling up to 310 miles per hour. They are actually considered the fastest train systems in the world—moving more people per hour than any other rail system.
Maglev systems are much quieter because they don’t use friction for traction as on a steel track. Since there is no friction and no moving engine parts, the lack of wear and tear results in approximately 40-percent cheaper maintenance cost than for high-speed rail, and maglev systems have a 120-percent longer lifecycle versus traditional rail transit.
Are there additional benefits of this type of technology?
Yes. Another benefit is that maglev trains can go upslope to 18 percent, whereas other high-speed rail systems can only go up to 4 percent. So, for example, if you wanted to build a rail system in a mountainous area, you would have to build tunnels for a train to travel through. However, if you build a maglev system, the train can essentially travel over the mountain.
Maglev systems are safer since there is no risk of derailment. And, based on the way it is designed, the vehicle cannot “jump” the platform. Also, it is environmentally friendly—it requires less energy than high-speed rail as the power distribution for a maglev train is restricted to a short section of track as opposed to the entire length of track from substation to substation.
What types of maglev projects has CDM been involved in?
CDM is one of the few firms in the world that has worked on multiple maglev projects, which boast complex geotechnical components requiring a high level of precision and expert testing, design, and construction management. For the Shanghai system, CDM was retained by the Chinese government to provide technical assistance during construction in addition to training Chinese engineers in geotechnical and structural design.
The firm conducted geotechnical investigations and created the foundation design for the Emsland, Germany test track, and provided similar support for the Hamburg-Berlin, Germany line, which was originally designed for Maglev, but constructed for high-speed rail.
So then is maglev the future of high-speed transportation?
Yes, maglev is the next generation of high-speed train travel. As I see it, there are no downsides. One of the biggest hurdles that must be overcome is the misconception about the cost. It is important to note that both maglev and high-speed rail require a stand-alone system. Although maglev lines are elevated, when you factor in the costs of bridges and tunnels required for high-speed rail and compare to a cross-section of a maglev line, the costs are very similar.
In countries that already have a successful high-speed rail network, such as France, there is no interest in developing this type of system since it would require replacing the entire infrastructure. But for countries like the U.S. that do not have such a network, it makes the most sense to go straight to the highest technology available. Right now, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the most viable maglev pursuit in the United States. Environmental impact statements have been completed and federal and state funding has been awarded for this 19-mile-long track. Currently, India, the Netherlands, and countries in the Middle East are exploring maglev options, and they are all excellent candidates since they currently lack a widespread high-speed rail network.
Japan is currently developing a maglev system using EDS technology—which is slightly different based on the way the magnetic levitation is applied. Although it’s only on a trial basis, the Japanese government has stated that it wants all train systems in Japan to be maglev by 2025. The first line will run between Tokyo and central Japan at 310 miles per hour, succeeding the high-speed “bullet train,” which runs at 186 mph.