Re: More on the maglev

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

Wollongong Quokka (quokka@zip.net.au) wrote:
> Both the acceleration and the braking of the maglev train (<1.5 m/s2) are
> similar to an underground or regional express (S-Bahn) train. For reasons of
> comfort, the acceleration and the braking will normally be like that of an
> inter-city train (<1.0 m/s2).

That kills the claim that the maglev will accelerate to 300km/h in 3.8km
and 500km/h in 5km as asserted by a proponant in m.t.r.e, although the web
site says 300km/h in 5km. Assume a constant 1m/s2 (which is too high, as
acceleration falls off at higher speeds), it's 300km/h in 7,000m after
84s. 500km/h in 19,300m after 139s and the magic 550km/h in about 23,400m
after 153s. Assume a more realistic overall average acceleration of
0.9m/s2, it's 300km/h in 7700m after 93s, 500km/h in 21,500m after 155s
and 550km/h in 26,000m after 170s. This assumes level track with no
headwinds.

The Maglev pages are full of errors, for example "the Japanese limit their
wheel-on-rail trains to a maximum of 250 km/h" which is not true. The
Shinkansen was running at 270km/h for several years, and was increased to
300km/h in 1997.

The energy consumption figures are comparing a short maglev with a 14 car
ICE, which is why the figures look good.

Cheers
David