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Comparison of high-speed rail and maglev systems

Journal Article · · Journal of Transportation Engineering
 [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States). Dept. of Civil Engineering
  2. Keith and Schnars, Fort Lauderdale, FL (United States)

European and Japanese high-speed rail (HSR) and magnetically levitated (maglev) systems were each developed to respond to specific transportation needs within local economic, social, and political constraints. Not only is maglev technology substantially different from that of HSR, but also HSR and maglev systems differ in trainset design, track characteristics, cost structure, and cost sensitivity to design changes. This paper attempts to go beyond the traditional technology comparison table and focuses on the characteristics and conditions for which existing European and Japanese systems were developed. The technologies considered are the French train a grand vitesse (TGV), the Swedish X2000, the German Intercity Express (ICE) and Transrapid, and the Japanese Shinkansen, MLU, and high-speed surface train (HSST).

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
287438
Journal Information:
Journal of Transportation Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Transportation Engineering Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 122; ISSN JTPEDI; ISSN 0733-947X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English