Re: VFT Decision?

[dbromage@fang.omni.com.au (David Bromage)]

David Bennetts (davibenn@pcug.org.au) wrote:
> Will Cabinet make any decision on the VFT today?  Former Transport Minister
> Peter Nixon was on ABC radio yesterday evening suggesting that the Speedrail
> proposal shouldn't be accepted in a hurry - he said Maglev should still be
> considered a contender as it was transport of the future, without any wheels
> it was faster and quieter than TGV technology.

Maglev isn't going to be economic for at least 30 years, or until some
clever Japanese scientist makes room temperature superconducting
electromagnets as cheap as steel. I'd put the Japanese maglev ahead of
Transrapid any day, but construction cost does not come into the equation
in Japan.

Nixon also got his sums wrong about Sydney - Melbourne taking 5 hours.
Obviously he forgot about the Nozomi 500 service from Tokyo to Hakata.
200km longer than Melbourne - Sydney, 60-90km/h slower and with 7
stops.... already less than 5 hours.

Cheers
David