Why Maglev Will Likely Never Happen
Why it hurts so much to admit that magnetically levitating trains zooming across cities in over 600km/h will likely never be a reality...
As an avid public transit fan, there's little I wish for more than the widespread adoption of Maglev technology. The very idea of trains floating above tracks, speeding across landscapes at velocities rivalling, if not surpassing, commercial aircraft is truly tantalizing. Such advancements could revolutionize the world of public transit and render it a formidable rival to the aviation industry. It's with a heavy heart, therefore, that I pen this article, which delves into the complexities and challenges that may hinder the mass deployment of this futuristic mode of transport.
The Principles Behind the Levitation
Maglev, short for magnetic levitation, uses magnetic forces to raise and propel the train. There are two primary methods of levitating a train. We can pull it up using attractive forces or push it upward using repulsive ones. The pulling approach, known as Electromagnetic Suspension, maintains a tiny gap between the rail and the train. This gap is a lifeline, as any significant fluctuation can send the train plummeting. On the other hand, Japan adopted a dynamic system that keeps a more forgiving gap of 10 centimeters. Here, levitation only works when the train is already zooming. The train's wheels even retract once it reaches 100 km/h!
Powering the Maglev Dream
With the levitation aspect sorted, another challenge is propulsion. If the train doesn't touch the ground, how does it move? The solution: linear motors. Instead of relying on wheels to transmit force, we unwrap the motor so that alternating coils along the track push and pull the train. This brilliant system even allows for regenerative braking, capturing energy during slowdowns.
Yet, the power conundrum isn't fully resolved. How do these high-speed Maglevs obtain electricity without a physical connection? While low-speed systems employ a third rail, it's impractical at the speeds we're discussing. Earlier Japanese designs toyed with onboard gas turbines. Today, they harness power from the changing magnetic fields of guiding coils.
The Economic Hurdle
Now, to the crux of the issue. The Japanese are pioneers in train technology, and their Tokyo-Nagoya-Osaka Maglev line is a testament to their commitment. Yet, the financial implications of Maglev are daunting. The per-kilometer cost of this futuristic marvel is staggeringly high, dwarfing traditional high-speed rail expenses. This Tokyo-Nagoya connection alone comes with a staggering $13.7 billion price tag.
Comparing this with traditional high-speed rail paints a stark picture. For instance, the French high-speed rail, the TGV, built during the 80s and 90s, cost about $2 million per kilometer. In contrast, the Tokyo-Nagoya Maglev line is projected to cost an astronomical $77 million per kilometer. Even comparing it to another high-speed rail route from Tokyo to Osaka, the Maglev is approximately 11.3 times more expensive per kilometer.
The intricate systems, like superconducting coils cooled by liquid helium, sophisticated tunneling through mountainous terrains, and advanced shielding to protect passengers from magnetic fields, all drive up costs. Interestingly, even the train's operational costs rise due to the increased drag it experiences in tunnels.
The Reality of the Situation
Despite the captivating allure of Maglev technology and the advancements that have been made, the sheer economic challenges posed by its deployment make it a hard sell. While Maglev promises a faster journey, the investment required is prohibitive. In places like the U.S., even traditional rail networks face roadblocks. The practicality of Maglev's widespread use remains a distant dream.
For now, Maglev remains an impressive technological showcase, but it's unlikely to replace our conventional rail systems anytime soon. Whether a sudden technological breakthrough will change this equation remains to be seen, but there is renewed hope for the dreamers.
With the renewed hope for a room temperature superconductor, like the LK-99 researchers though they had found, engineers can technically eliminate the need for the intricate and energy-consuming cooling systems currently required by Maglevs. The superconducting coils could operate without resistance at ambient temperatures, which would mean a significant reduction in operational and maintenance costs.
But let's be realistic. Even if LK-99 worked so well that room temperature superconductors were commercialized tomorrow, the rollout of such a technology would take decades. Infrastructure projects are notorious for their lengthy timelines. The procurement processes, land acquisitions, legal clearances, environmental studies, and sheer engineering challenges will mean the development of new Maglev lines would be an arduous task.
Another important consideration is the rapid advancement of other competing transportation technologies. Autonomous electric vehicles and potential innovations like the Hyperloop are also vying for a piece of the future transportation pie (even though I am very skeptical). Moreover, the aviation industry is continually pushing the boundaries with innovations such as electric planes, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicles, and perhaps in the distant future, supersonic commercial travel might make a return.
Furthermore, let's not forget the environmental impact. While the construction of Maglev lines, especially those running through mountains and tunnels, might be a marvel of engineering, it’s also a significant disruption to the local ecosystem. The environmental toll of such large-scale projects can be immense, with deforestation, habitat disruption, and potential risks to groundwater sources.
Political will is another critical factor. In democracies around the world, infrastructure projects of this magnitude often become political footballs, with parties and interest groups playing tug of war over their fate. Funding can be approved one year, only to be pulled the next. For a technology as cutting-edge and expensive as Maglev, securing consistent and long-term political support is a tall order.
However, for all the challenges, the allure of Maglev is undeniable. The promise of floating above tracks at speeds that rival, or even surpass, air travel in a frictionless and efficient manner remains a tantalizing vision of the future. The Shanghai Maglev and the soon-to-be-operational Japanese L0 demonstrate the possibilities, even if they are outliers.
So, will Maglev "likely never happen"? It's a bold claim, but in the current global landscape, widespread deployment seems more like a science fiction dream than an impending reality. However, like all audacious dreams, the spark remains. The story of Maglev isn't over; it's a chapter in the ever-evolving book of human ingenuity and our relentless pursuit to defy boundaries. Only time will tell if this particular dream takes flight or remains grounded in the annals of transportation history.
You may like to have a look at my work...
It is by far the most advanced Transportation System that there can be.
https://fritzfreud.substack.com/p/around-the-world-in-4-hours