The Magnetically Levitated Transport System TRANSRAPID?Characteristics and Aspects of Application

Wackers, Manfred; ,

The Magnetically Levitated Transport System TRANSRAPID?Characteristics and Aspects of Application

by Manfred Wackers, Thyssen Industrie AG Henschel, Germany,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Engineering and Business: Converting Engineers to Businessmen

Abstract:

After a development of less than two decades the magnetic levitation TRANSRAPID is virtually ready for revenue service since 1985. The service has been continuously tested since 1985 on the TRANSRAPID Emsland Test Track (TVE) which has a length of 31.5 km and permits operating speeds of between 400 and 500 km/h. Until July 1990, the readiness for revenue service of the TRANSRAPID will be officially confirmed by means of specific measurements and proofs. Parallel to testing the system, application studies have been carried out for some years. By request of the Federal Government, Thyssen founded the Consortium TRANSRAPID Boost Group to this effect, on Nov. 10, 1988, formed by large banks, electrical firms, systems firms and building companies, Thyssen being responsible for their coordination. The TRANSRAPID Boost Group has been charged with studying the technical planning, possible operator models, private financing models, and the profitability of both routes. The final report was given to the Federal Government on June 15, 1989, and is the basis for the decision envisaged by the Federal Government for first application of the TRANSRAPID. Meanwhile, on December 20, 1989, the German Federal Cabinet decided to apply TRANSRAPID Maglev as a fast link between the airports Dusseldorf and Cologne/Bonn with further extension to the city of Essen.

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