"Low speed" magnetic levitation vehicle in the US

Abstract

Research and development efforts have been carried out to investigate magnetically levitated (Maglev) vehicles for low speed transportation systems. To bring Maglev transportation into everyday use in the United States there is a need to identify relevant existing standards and specifications as well as to develop guidelines more specific to this new technology. The purpose of this paper is to identify relevant sources and the type of standards and criteria that will largely govern the fundamental aspects of "low speed" Maglev-specific components. As an example the HSST-100S vehicle has been evaluated. The distinguishing characteristic of all Maglev technologies is the use of magnetic forces for vehicle propulsion without any physical contact with the guideway. Electromagnetic suspension (EMS) and electrodynamic suspension (EDS) are two design approaches which enable a vehicle to levitate. The criteria for the use of these electromagnetic and control devices, as well as the operating limitations, is heavily dependent upon performance-based criteria for the specific vehicle as developed and built by the manufacturer. These limitations impact the basic design requirements in other areas such as guideway geometry, structure clearance and ancillary substation electrical equipment. Standards related to the Maglev aspects of the vehicle were largely adopted from the experimental work and testing of the prototype vehicles (Trans-Rapid and HSST).