tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5495236174238358146.post8411167991758605155..comments2023-06-21T03:21:23.506-07:00Comments on Fix Oahu!: The National Debate on High Speed Rail Reveals Pitfalls of Old Steel-on-Steel Rail TechnologyPanos Prevedouroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04252016102314067888noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5495236174238358146.post-11334239603736474042009-09-11T10:07:17.586-07:002009-09-11T10:07:17.586-07:00There in only one application of the Maglev train ...There in only one application of the Maglev train technology in the world. It is a short 19-mile demonstration segment at Shanghai’s Pudong Airport in China. Rather than extend this demonstration project, China chose to terminate utilization of Maglev and implement its own state of the art high speed rail network similar to what is being used in Europe and other parts of Asia. Maglev is built on an elevated structure even when running “at-grade.” No matter the height of the structure, it requires extraordinarily tight tolerances and structural stiffness, which translate into very short structural spans, very stiff structural decking and columns, and therefore, incredibly high costs. The world’s only Maglev technology supplier (based in Germany) has disbanded its development program completely. Germany has dropped all Maglev projects due to uncompetitive high costs in favor of more efficient high speed rail. Operations and maintenance costs of Maglev are virtually unknown due to lack of manufacturing, servicing, etc. There are no existing U.S. safety standards for Maglev technology. Therefore, the certification process for use in the U.S. would take many years.TrainEnthusiasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05108852944094429619noreply@blogger.com