The Role of High Speed Maglev in the Future U.S. Transportation System

High Speed Magnetic Levitation and Propulsion (MAGLEV) technologies are nearing the end of their development cycles and are nearly ready for deployment in high speed ground transportation systems. Although the major development projects are in Germany and Japan, it is well to examine the North American transportation scene to determine if these systems can meet any future needs.

A need is rapidly emerging for improved mobility in North America. Both airport and highway congestion are expected to reach crisis proportions within the next two decades, substantially decreasing the mobility of the population. High speed ground transportation systems which can interface airports with urban and regional sprawl created by the automobile can be an alternative to arresting mobility decline by providing alternatives and compliments to the highway and air modes of travel. MAGLEV technology based systems can meet this need. It is expected that within the next two decades, several MAGLEV systems will be deployed in this application for North America.