Conceptual Guideway Structural Design for MAGLEV High-speed Ground Transportation System

Abstract

The conceptual guideway structural designs for MAGLEV (magnetic-levitation) high-speed ground transportation system are discussed by considering four different guideway designs of Bechtel, Magneplane, Grumman and Foster-Miller. The important aspects of the conceptual designs as well as some of the apparent shortcomings that will need attention in the design studies are emphasized.  In this context the technical assessments and design observations may be considered for the guideway conceptual designs are given in this study.

Keywords

• Guideway,MAGLEV,structural design,high-speed,transportation system

References

1. W.J. Hall and Can Balkaya, ‘Final Report on MAGLEV Guideway Design Review, Task-2 Long Term Performance and Seismic Assessment of Maglev Guideways’ USACERL, 1993.
2. Bechtel Corporation et al, ‘Maglev System Concept Definitions’ Final Report to US Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, 1992. (Co-investigators: Hughes; GM Electro-Motive; Draper Laboratory; Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
3. Magneplane International Inc., ‘System Concept Definition Report for the National Maglev Initiative’, 1992. (Co-investigators: Massachusetts Institute of Technology; United Engineers and Constructors; Raytheon Equipment Division; Failure Analysis Associates; Bromwell & Carrier; Beech Aircraft Corporation; Process Systems International).
4. Grumman Aerospace Corporation, ‘System Concept Definition of a Superconducting Maglev Electromagnetic System’ Final Report, 1992. (Co-investigators: Parsons Brinckerhoff; Intermagnetic General Corporation; PSM Technologies; Honeywell; Battelle; Gibbs and Hill; NYSIS.
5. Foster-Miller Inc., ‘Maglev System Concept Definition Report’ Final Report, 1992.
6. Don Plotkin and Simon Kim, ‘Maglev Guideway Design Issues’ Journal of Transportation Engineering, May/June 1997, 189-191.