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While this is cool, it's probably decades away. People should note that low-speed maglevs have arrived.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/860672.shtml

http://english.cri.cn/6909/2014/05/16/2702s826842.htm

A few of these would be nice in NY or LA. JFK to Manhattan in 20 minutes. Cross the width of Manhattan in 4 minutes.




I would be curious to know what is the advantage of using maglev technology if you only reach speeds of 120 km/h. "Firstly, there is no friction, and little noise or vibration; secondly, it eliminates the risk of derailment; and lastly, it is an eco-friendly method of transportation without emissions" looks like nothing special to me.


I'm not really sure how to answer this. You're kind of asking me to explain the value of safety and noise. I guess most people really put a high price on safety. Accidents do happen on subways:

http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/f-train-derails-in-nyc-...

Subways, and rail in general, can be quite noisy. Paris uses rubber tires on their subway, for example.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_M%C3%A9tro

In Silicon Valley, one of the reasons people don't want HSR near their homes is because of the noise:

http://www.businessinsider.com/silicon-valley-high-speed-rai...

Ever hear the above ground train pass by in DUMBO in Brooklyn, NY?

Anyway, a super-smooth quite ride at a mile a minute certainly does seem like an appealing way to get around a big city.


Honestly, the safety argument looks pretty moot to me - monorails don't derail either. For the noise, that's cool, but I'm under the impression that a high speed maglev will be quite noisy too.


high speed maglev will be quite noisy too.

At <100mph, the TR08 is fairly quiet [0]. When I was en Elmsland for the noise testing, it was common for the vehicle to sneak up on us when it was running at lower speeds. At higher speeds, especially over 150 mph when aerodynamic noise kicks in, it is very loud.

[0] http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/22000/22500/22570/fra0213.pdf


Monorails seem to run pretty slow. A little more than half the speed?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Monorail

As for the "high speed maglevs" making noise, you should read my comment again. I was clearly talking about low-speed maglevs. Yes, at 300 mph you are going to make some noise.


Aren't noise barriers more cost effective solutions?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_barrier


Depends on how you quantify "cost." For a lot of people aesthetics and livable appeal factor into that.




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