This is an assessment of United States High Speed Guided Transit (HSGT) systems policy, vision, goals, and magnetic levitation development and commercialization technology; as affected by the new United States National Energy Strategy. It includes a brief review of the key aspects and assumptions which formed the basis for the US National Energy Strategy scenario, and the tactics proposed to implement a National Maglev transit network by the target year 2015 (1)1.
It is followed by a historical review of past magnetic levitation vehicle developments, a review of the present status of Maglev trains, and an outline of future (EMA) Electro Magnetic Attraction levitation for speeds under 400 km/h; (SC) Super Conductive (EDR) Electro Dynamic Repulsion levitation for subsonic speeds approaching 900 km/h; and, an introduction to the (MPW) Magnetic Potential Well levitation effect as developed by Kozoriz (2) in 1976, also see (39).
Magnetic levitation transit technology has been under development in America since the US Congress passed the 1965 High Speed Guided Transit Act (HSGT)(3) which authorized the Department of Transportation (DOT) to fund HSGT projects. Since then, this technology has been an ongoing terrestrial transit development in Europe and Japan; and, later in the USSR for non terrestrial applications, such as a new method for docking space craft in earth orbit, and now for an USSR terrestrial Maglev transit application.
Consequently, prototype Maglev trains are now considered ready for introduction into intercity commercial service, and ultimately in subsonic applications up to 900 km/h. In America, new initial steps were taken in 1989 by the US DOT, in a one year assessment of United States transportation policy and system needs for the future, under Secretary for DOT, Mr. Samuel K. Skinner (4)(5). US DOT transportation policy recommendations were made to the Office of the President of the United States in May 1990; and, followed by the so-called National Maglev Initiative sponsored by the US DOT Federal Railroad Administration in early 1991.