Development of Superconducting Maglev in Japan: Present State and Future Perspective

The Railway Technical Research Institute has assumed responsibility for Maglev development from the defunct JNR which has run the program since its inception. At the Miyazaki Test Track, test runs of the MLU 002 test vehicle are continuing, while the Ministry of Transport has authorized a new test track about 43 km long. The funding was approved in June as a government subsidy.

This paper reviews the latest achievements at the Miyazaki Test Track and the future prospects of Maglev development (Photo 1).