Maglev Trains
Maglev Trains In this quickly developing world, transportation is becoming bigger and bigger an issue. Therefore, it is only natural that demands for it are growing rapidly. To meet this demand, yet another form of transportation has been introduced: the Maglev train. Maglev, derived from the term magnetic levitation, is a method of propulsion that uses magnetic levitation to propel vehicles with electromagnets rather than with wheels, which causes friction and can wear out the rails. With maglev, a vehicle is levitated a short distance away from a guide way using magnets to create a lift, using the push of the same polarities of an electromagnet. Many scientists foresee “high-speed maglev trains creating dramatic improvements for human travel, if the widespread adoption of its system occurs.”(Wikipedia “Maglev”)
Maglev trains (Magnetic Levitation Trains) utilize electromagnetism as a form of transportation. Unlike conventional trains, maglev trains use electromagnets to lift itself up from the tracks, allowing it to travel at a higher speed. There are three types of maglev trains (EMS, EDS, Inductrack), that are differentiated by the usage for electromagnets. For example, EMS trains have electromagnets installed in the undercarriage of the train (Figure 1), and have coils in the tracks (guideway) that constantly-changing electricity flows through, changing the polarity of the track’s magnets. This allows the train to levitate about 1cm above the tracks. EDS (Figure 2), on the other hand, utilizes electromagnets on the tracks & the train. This is the most efficient maglev train in terms of speed and freight load, yet has great disadvantages that prevent the commercial use of it, at least for now. What are the advantages of using Maglev trains instead of conventional track trains? First of all, Maglev trains require less space to operate. This means that less natural environments have to be destroyed in order to construct the same length of tracks as the
Maglev trains (Magnetic Levitation Trains) utilize electromagnetism as a form of transportation. Unlike conventional trains, maglev trains use electromagnets to lift itself up from the tracks, allowing it to travel at a higher speed. There are three types of maglev trains (EMS, EDS, Inductrack), that are differentiated by the usage for electromagnets. For example, EMS trains have electromagnets installed in the undercarriage of the train (Figure 1), and have coils in the tracks (guideway) that constantly-changing electricity flows through, changing the polarity of the track’s magnets. This allows the train to levitate about 1cm above the tracks. EDS (Figure 2), on the other hand, utilizes electromagnets on the tracks & the train. This is the most efficient maglev train in terms of speed and freight load, yet has great disadvantages that prevent the commercial use of it, at least for now. What are the advantages of using Maglev trains instead of conventional track trains? First of all, Maglev trains require less space to operate. This means that less natural environments have to be destroyed in order to construct the same length of tracks as the
Bibliography: "The Use of Maglev Trains to Reduce the Environmental Impact of the Shanghai Metro." The Use of Maglev Trains to Reduce the Environmental Impact of the Shanghai Metro. University of Portsmouth, 1 Mar. 2009. Web. 19 Sept. 2013. Landovskis, Alex, and Veronique Rondeau. "Maglev Trains: How Maglev Trains Work? by Alex Landovskis & Veronique Rondeau." Web log post. Maglev Trains: How Maglev Trains Work? by Alex Landovskis & Veronique Rondeau. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2013. Wikipedia. "Maglev Trains." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Sept. 2013. Web. 19 Sept. 2013.