Advantages and Disadvantages of Maglev Trains

On 2nd December 2003, the Japanese JR-maglev became the fastest non-conventional train in the world by clocking an amazing speed of 361 mph. By pulling off this amazing feat, the three-car Japanese maglev edged out the French TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) - which boasts of being the fastest conventional train with the highest speed of 357.2 mph, by an impressive margin of 3.7 mph. While that was a test run, the Shanghai maglev train - pitted to be the most successful maglev in the world, covers a distance of 19 miles in 7 minutes 20 seconds - with a top speed of 268 mph and an average speed of 160 mph. The seemingly impossible speed that the maglevs boast of, hints at the fact that we have come a long way from the traditional steam engines to sleek, super fast trains. But is it really a feasible option to go for a maglev network in countries like the United States?

Maglev Trains

The term maglev, which is used to refer to this mode of transportation is derived from 'magnetic levitation' that happens to be the basic principle behind the maglev trains. These trains work on the principle of electromagnetic propulsion wherein the cars are suspended, guided and propelled using powerful magnets. The Maglev Train System has three important components - the power source, the track referred to as the 'guideway' and the gigantic magnets that are attached to the cars/track. The guideway is made up of magnetized coils, which repel the magnets that are attached beneath the cars, and makes them levitate around 0.39 to 3.93 inches above the guideway. When the power is sent to these coils, it results in formation of a unique magnetic field which in turn, moves the maglev. Furthermore, these trains resort to two different types of magnetic levitation - electrodynamic suspension (EDS), wherein the repulsive force of magnets comes into play, and electromagnetic suspension (EMS), wherein the attractive force of magnets is involved.

Maglev Trains: Advantages and Disadvantages

With that we come to the core issue, the pros and cons of the Maglev Train System that need to be taken into consideration when determining whether it is really feasible when it comes to the United States of America. Basically, the practice tracks are already in place in different parts of the world - and the United States in no exception. More importantly, the Maglev Train System has already tasted success in various countries, including Japan and China. On the basis of the performance of existing maglevs - which includes the ones that are in service as well as the ones which are being tested, we were able to come up with the following advantages and disadvantages of the same.

Advantages of Maglevs
The foremost advantage of maglev trains is the fact that it doesn't have moving parts as conventional trains do, as a result of which the wear and tear of parts is minimal - and that reduces the maintenance cost of the Maglev System by a significant extent. More importantly, there is no physical contact between the train and the track, as a result of which there is no rolling resistance. While electromagnetic drag and air friction do exist, that doesn't hinder the maglevs ability to clock an amazing speed exceeding 200 mph with ease. Absence of wheels also comes as a boon as you don't have to deal with deafening noise that is likely to come with them. Maglevs also boast of being environment friendly as they don't resort to internal combustion engines. These trains are weather proof, which means rain, snow, or severe cold don't really hamper their performance. Experts are of the opinion that these trains are a lot safe than their conventional counterparts as they are equipped with state-of-the-art safety systems, which can keep things in control even when the train is cruising at a high speed.

Disadvantages of Maglevs
While the advantages of Maglev Train System may seem quite promising in themselves, they are not enough to overshadow its disadvantages. The biggest problem with the maglev trains is the high cost incurred on the initial setup. While the fast conventional trains that have been introduced of late work fine on the tracks which were meant for slow trains initially, maglev trains require an all new set up right from the scratch. As the present railway infrastructure is of no use for maglevs, it will either have to be replaced with the Maglev System or an entirely new set up will have to be created - both of which will cost a decent amount in terms of initial investment. Even though inexpensive as compared to EDS, it is still expensive as compared to other modes.

If the advantages and disadvantages of these trains are pitted against each other, it can be a bit difficult to come to a concrete conclusion. While the high cost of initial set up is something that a developed nation like the United States won't have to worry about, the fact that the entire infrastructure has to be replaced with a new one will be something that will have the experts in a catch 22 situation. If we can do away with their disadvantages, the maglev trains are undoubtedly worth investing. If the commercial success of Shanghai maglev train is to be taken into consideration, these trains can be surely considered to be the transport system of the future.