In the early 1990s, the Department of Transportation conducted a comprehensive study (http://ntl.bts.gov/DOCS/TNM.html" ) of the possibilities and feasibility of Maglev transportation within the US. There were several conclusions, but one that should be brought up first is that there is no hope that private industry wil (or can) go it alone in this arena. It's too expensive (especially the infrastructure) and there are too many potential pitfalls in any given approach to expect any company to risk it. They just don't have the resources - - - but the national implications are enormous. Government must participate
Several decades ago, several American groups began and demonstrated the applicability of Maglev and the Government backed several of these. Then the Government in its wisdom, abandoned its participation (in 1975). The justification, "let the marketplace take its course". Meanwhile the German and Japanese governments supported efforts from their countries. The result, all present products come from those countries - - - especially Germany.
A few of the conclusions from the DOT study were:
1. A fast Maglev system will be of great help in cutting pollution and dependence on foreign oil, mainly by cutting into air traffic, but also somewhat in reducing intercity auto traffic.
2. Speeds of 300 MPH are achievable.
3. Initial investment will require public assistance; private industry won't go it alone.
4. There are system capabilities and possibilities better than those existing.
5. We should devote effort and resources to a newer, American designed system adapted to American needs.
6. An American design effort would give a boost to American engineering and the American economy.
7. We should move to electronically switched guideways, rather than the presently used mechanical switches. This results in higher speeds and higher safety at speed.
8. Both existing and new right-of-ways can be incorporated.
9. Costs for an American system would be greater than the rail-based (slower) French TGV system; but on par with the German Transrapid.
10. Costs would (in 1990) be from $27 million to $46 million per mile, cheaper than for urban rail systems.
11. The construction and operating costs would be amortized in only one corridor - - - the northeast corridor.
12. Almost all corridors would cover operating costs alone.
13. The system would greatly augment our high-tech employment sector.
14. Joint ventures with companies abroad should be permitted.
It should be noted that this study came out before the advent of Halbach Array systems (like Inductrac) so there is no mention of them therein. We should incorporate these.
Then, in around 2000, the US Government launched a http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/200" , to have various regions around the nation propose demonstration projects to prove the maglev concept. There were seven initial selected proposals, which were later narrowed to two - - - Baltimore/Washington and the Pittsburg area. In all of these proposals, there seems to have been a serious communication disconnect. They all proposed the German Transrapid system. First of all, we don't need a demonstration of this system - - - it already exists (Shanghai). We can simply go and observe and study it where it is. Also it isn't the job of the US Government to help develop foreign technology - - - any more than it would be for the German Government to promote and develop US technology. They need to go back and get new proposals - - - for US technology, and in particular Halbach Array technology. It is too promising to ignore.
Some examples of present proposals are the following:
http://www.bwmaglev.com/"
http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/News/TransportationStudies/PAMaglevProject/tabid/312/Default.aspx"
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