Latest news with #Maglev
India.com
4 days ago
- Science
- India.com
Bad news for Elon Musk as China solves 'critical flaw' in his Hyperloop system, Chinese scientists say reduced...
China claims to have fixed a 'critical flaw' in Elon Musk's Hyperloop system. (File) China Maglev Train: Chinese scientists working on the country's futuristic high-speed maglev train project have claimed to have solve a 'critical flaw', in the Hyperloop concept proposed in a 2013 white paper by tech billionaire Elon Musk. A study published in China's peer-reviewed Journal of Railway Science and Engineering noted that the tiniest of imperfections, such as uneven coils or bridge deformations, could cause major turbulence in a Hyperloop system, turning the journey into a hellish ride, even in near-vacuum tunnels. Chinese engineers find method to reduce turbulence However, Chinese engineers working at the world's first full-scale test line in central China, claimed to have found a method to cut the turbulence intensity by nearly a half, reducing 'extremely severe bumps' to 'pronounced, but not unpleasant' levels, according to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP). As per the SCMP report, the engineers led by Zhao Ming from the maglev and electromagnetic propulsion division of state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), revealed they employed supercomputer simulations and scaled-down prototype tests for the study. The researchers discovered that minor irregularities in the track and electromagnetic resonance, could trigger violent low-frequency vibrations in maglev cars travelling at cruising speeds of 1,000km/h (612mph). Their study used Sperling Index, a 1940s-era international metric for ride comfort, to show that oscillations amplified at specific speeds, reaching 'extremely unpleasant' levels of vibration at a peak speeds 400km/h (249mph). As per the study, the Sterling Index hit a 4.2 when the maglev cars reached the next peak of 600km/h (373mph), but the vibrations reduced to a 3.1 level on the index once the cars reached cruising speeds of 1,000km/h, the report said. China's Maglev train breaks speed record The Maglev system, first proposed in 1910 by American engineer Robert Goddard, gained traction in 2013 after Elon Musk wrote a white paper on the subject. The Maglev train, so named as it uses magnetic levitation (maglev) technology to reach unimaginable speeds, does not need wheels unlike traditional trains. Instead the wheels are replaced with magnets which lift the pods above the track, allowing them to glide effortlessly over the magnetized track. Late last year, China claimed that its Maglev train reached a record-breaking speeding 387mph (over 622 kmph), tumbling the record of Japan's MLX01 Maglev, currently the world's fastest train, which has a top speed of 361mph. Chinese engineers believe that their maglev system will be able to reach hypersonic speeds of over 1,243mph or over 2000 kmph — faster than the speed of sound and double the speed of a Boeing 737 aircraft, once commercial operations begin. If estimates are accurate the maglev system would significantly reduce travel times across China, reaching Wuhan to Beijing in just over 30 minutes, in contrast to the current high-speed train which takes four hours to complete the journey.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wariness over maglev is not surprising, but don't make up your mind yet
Gov. Wes Moore (D) watches a passing high-speed maglev train on April 12, 2025, during a trade mission to Japan. (Photo by Ken Katsurayama/Governor's Office) As the president and chief operating officer of Northeast Maglev, I can appreciate why there remains a degree of skepticism about the future of high-speed rail in Maryland. At this time, we do not have high speed rail anywhere in America. While recent polls have revealed widespread majority public support for Maglev project throughout Maryland, I also respect the concern that exists within certain communities about the basic characteristics of this project – from routing specifics, potential for environmental impacts, to the perceived, but unfounded concern of disruption to local homes and businesses (The high cost of high speed: Why SCMaglev is not the answer – Maryland Matters) These are natural questions that accompany any new road or transit project, and they are particularly understandable in a project of this size and magnitude. Throw in the fact that this would be the first project of its kind in North America – that is, a rail project powered by green energy, floating on air via magnetic levitation, and traveling at a speed of 311 mph – it is easy to see why this proposal has inspired healthy discussion and debate. Maryland Matters welcomes guest commentary submissions at editor@ We suggest a 750-word limit and reserve the right to edit or reject submissions. We do not accept columns that are endorsements of candidates, and no longer accept submissions from elected officials or political candidates. Opinion pieces must be signed by at least one individual using their real name. We do not accept columns signed by an organization. Commentary writers must include a short bio and a photo for their bylines. Views of writers are their own. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to evaluate the environmental impacts of projects like these before allowing them to proceed. Our federal and state governments engage local communities in open forums, provide transparent information about the project, answer questions, and allow adequate time for public comment. It is a thorough and time-consuming process, and deservedly so. The Northeast Maglev project will change the way Marylanders live, work and travel. It will redefine the economy of our state and those along the eastern seaboard. It will transform the manner in which Americans perceive public transportation. For these reasons, and for the preservation of the special quality of historic communities and neighborhoods throughout the region, it is imperative that we get this right. Until the environmental review process has been completed, with one preferred alignment designated by the Federal Railroad Administration, and while the majority of Marylanders support the construction of the project, some members of our community will remain uncertain, and a project that will make life so much better for millions will remain on the 'slow train' to completion. Here is what we know. The Northeast Maglev project, when built, will make it possible for people to travel from Washington to Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Baltimore in 15 minutes, and from Washington to New York in just one hour, including all the cities and airports in between. In so doing, it will substantially relieve traffic gridlock, improve the environment, reduce air pollution, create jobs and positively impact people's lives in one of the most congested regions of our country. This project has never asked for state taxpayer money; in fact, it has paid all matching funds to the federal government that the state would have had to pay to even study a project like this. It will be built with a combination of private investment, federal loan funding programs and international financing. We know, based on the NEPA studies, that this project will create about 123,000 construction-related jobs, 38,000 professional jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs, while adding $8.8 billion in wages and salaries to the Maryland region's economy. It will also remove 16 million cars from our clogged highways between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., which not only improves our quality of life but also reduces greenhouse gases in our state. Studies have shown that Marylanders lose over 100 hours a year stuck in traffic, and this project will go a long way to help alleviate this. It is my hope that our federal and state governments can come together and finish the environmental review process. Only by doing so can we begin to provide definitive answers and a timetable that the public deserves with a final single alignment, and move toward the completion of a project our state so urgently needs.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The high cost of high speed: Why SCMaglev is not the answer
A 2019 images of a maglev train similar to one that might connect Baltimore and Washington, D.C., (Photo courtesy Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail) We all want faster, more efficient transportation. But the desire for speed shouldn't come at the expense of equity, accountability, or common sense. The proposed Superconducting Maglev (SCMaglev) train between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore is being pitched as a revolutionary leap forward—a 15-minute ride connecting two cities. But when you look closely, it becomes clear that this project is a costly distraction from the real transportation needs of Marylanders. I've followed the SCMaglev project for nearly a decade, through meetings, hearings, and glossy presentations. One moment sticks with me to this day: During a presentation to the Maryland General Assembly, a representative claimed the Maglev would reduce regional traffic by 30%. When I asked for the methodology or data behind that estimate, no one could provide an answer. That kind of vague, unverified projection isn't just irresponsible — it's dangerous when we're discussing a multibillion-dollar project with lasting impacts on our communities, environment and transportation landscape. Maryland Matters welcomes guest commentary submissions at editor@ We suggest a 750-word limit and reserve the right to edit or reject submissions. We do not accept columns that are endorsements of candidates, and no longer accept submissions from elected officials or political candidates. Opinion pieces must be signed by at least one individual using their real name. We do not accept columns signed by an organization. Commentary writers must include a short bio and a photo for their bylines. Views of writers are their own. Let's talk dollars. A one-way Maglev ticket from D.C. to Baltimore is projected to cost between $60 and $80. That's not a commuter fare — it's a luxury option targeted at business elites and tourists. The average Marylander isn't budgeting $120 a day for transit. We already have underfunded, overburdened systems like MARC, Metro and local buses that residents rely on every day. Why not invest in expanding those services — adding more stops, increasing frequency, reducing costs, and improving reliability? As a resident of Laurel, I'm particularly alarmed by the impact the route would have on the Patuxent Research Refuge. My twin boys and I spend time there often, enjoying trails and spotting wildlife. It's one of the last intact green spaces in our region — and SCMaglev would cut right through it. That's not innovation. That's ecological devastation in the name of elite convenience. Our green spaces are not expendable. Even if you set aside the environmental costs, the communities most affected by the Maglev — like those in Prince George's County — see none of the benefits. There are no planned stops here, yet our neighborhoods would bear the brunt of construction, land disruption and noise. No reliable jobs. No meaningful investment in our mobility. We've been promised a few short-term construction jobs, but no long-term transit improvements or economic uplift. That's not equity — it's extraction. Let's also examine the travel time savings that Maglev promoters like to tout. A 15-minute ride between D.C. and Baltimore sounds great in theory, but it does not include the time it takes to get to the Maglev stations — both of which would be deep in the urban cores of each city. Real commutes aren't point-to-point miracles. They involve walking, transfers, delays and often multiple systems. Without meaningful integration with existing transit, the Maglev could actually complicate travel, not streamline it. Supporters often point to Japan as a shining example of high-speed rail success. And it's true — Japan's Shinkansen and Maglev lines are marvels of engineering. But Japan also has the infrastructure, culture and density to support that kind of system. Tokyo, for example, has over 39,000 people per square mile in some areas — vastly higher than any corridor between D.C. and Baltimore. Japan also has a deeply ingrained public transit culture that makes high-speed rail practical. Maryland simply does not have the same conditions to justify this scale of investment. We need bold transportation investments — but bold does not have to mean flashy. It means practical, people-centered solutions: Expanding bus routes, extending service hours, modernizing fleets, integrating systems, improving accessibility and making transit affordable. It means investing where people already are — and where they've been asking for improvements for years. A truly visionary transportation system does not just move people quickly — it moves people equitably. It respects the communities it runs through. It protects the ecosystems it touches. It closes gaps in mobility and opens doors to opportunity. SCMaglev may be fast, but it's not right for Maryland — not now, and not at this cost.
IOL News
23-04-2025
- IOL News
Chinese modernisation: innovation with identity
A view of the Hong Kong city skyline at night. For South Africans, China's story offers lessons and inspiration. Like us, China is a nation with a complex history, striving to forge a future that honours its past. Its ability to lift millions out of poverty offers hope for our challenges, says the writer. As a South African living in Shanghai, I've found myself immersed in a transformation that feels both exhilarating and deeply rooted — a phenomenon I call China's modernisation with a heartbeat. China's modernisation, often described as 'modernisation with Chinese characteristics,' is a dynamic blend of cutting-edge progress and deep-rooted tradition. It's not the Western model of development I grew up reading about, nor is it a carbon copy of South Africa's post-apartheid rebuilding. It's something uniquely Chinese — a journey of advancement that doesn't erase identity but amplifies it. As a South African, this resonates deeply, as it echoes our aspirations to modernise while holding fast to who we are. When I arrived in Shanghai almost two years ago, I was dazzled by the city's skyline — a forest of glass and steel towers that make Sandton's business district look quaint. The Maglev train, whisking me from Pudong Airport to the city centre at 431 km/h, felt like stepping into a sci-fi novel. Yet, just a 20-minute walk from my apartment in Jing'an, I found Yu Garden, a 16th-century oasis of koi ponds and stone bridges, where elderly locals practice tai chi at dawn. This juxtaposition of hyper-modernity and tradition is the essence of Chinese modernisation. South Africans will understand this balancing act. In Johannesburg, we're proud of our gleaming malls and tech hubs, but we cherish Soweto's vibrant streets and the cultural weight of our history. Similarly, China's modernisation doesn't bulldoze its past. The government's emphasis on 'cultural confidence' ensures that heritage sites are preserved, and traditional festivals like the Spring Festival are celebrated with fervour. This year, I joined my Chinese friends for a Lunar New Year dinner in a Jiangsu village. Amid fireworks and dumplings, I saw how modernisation — evident in the village's high-speed internet and solar-powered streetlights — coexists with age-old customs. Chinese modernisation is about progress that amplifies the past, not erases it. This shines through in 'common prosperity,' a vision to uplift everyone, rural and urban, coastal and inland. I saw this during a trip to Guizhou, a province once known for its challenges. There, villages have been transformed by e-commerce. Farmers, who once struggled to sell their tea and rice, now livestream on platforms like Douyin, reaching buyers nationwide. One farmer, Auntie Li, beamed as she showed me her smartphone setup, sharing how her earnings funded her daughter's university education. The scale of this transformation — Guizhou's poverty rate fell from 26% in 2012 to under 2% by 2020 - shows a commitment to inclusive growth that inspires me, not as a comparison to South Africa, but as a testament to what's possible when innovation meets heart. Education reflects this unique modernisation too. At the university where I'm studying towards my Master's Degree, students are as fluent in AI trends as they are in Confucian philosophy. While students dream of designing sustainable cities, they can quote Mencius to explain their sense of duty. This isn't just academics; it's a deliberate effort to ground innovation in cultural wisdom. China's focus on STEM — producing over 4 million graduates annually — fuels its tech boom, yet the arts ensure students think beyond code. It's a balance that sparks ideas for how any nation, including mine, can nurture talent while staying true to its roots. Urban planning showcases China's vision vividly. Cities like Shenzhen, once a fishing village, now pulse with 5G networks and electric buses gliding through green corridors. I took a high-speed train to Hangzhou, a 45-minute ride, and wandered West Lake, a UNESCO site where ancient pagodas sit alongside smart benches that charge your phone. These cities hum with life — street dancers, night markets, and tea houses thrive beside AI startups. It's a vibrant contrast to homogenised urban models elsewhere, and as a South African, I'm drawn to this energy. I have an appreciation of how progress can sing with character. China's modernisation also extends to creating opportunities for all its people. The government's focus on inclusive policies ensures that everyone, from city dwellers to rural residents, can access the benefits of progress. Initiatives like rural revitalisation and expanded social services are knitting communities closer together, fostering a sense of shared opportunity. It's a dynamic effort that inspires me to think about how nations can build systems that uplift everyone, each in their way. Living in this era of Chinese modernisation feels like witnessing a nation redefine progress with purpose and soul. It's not about being better than anywhere else, it's about being authentically itself. For South Africans, China's story offers lessons and inspiration. Like us, China is a nation with a complex history, striving to forge a future that honours its past. Its ability to lift millions out of poverty offers hope for our challenges. Yet, China's path isn't a template; it's a reminder that modernisation must reflect a nation's unique character. Just as China blends Confucian values with AI, South Africa can weave ubuntu into its development. Living here, I've learned that modernisation isn't about becoming 'Western' or erasing your roots. It's about building a future that feels true to who you are. In Shanghai's neon glow, I see a nation racing forward yet pausing to light incense at ancient temples. As a South African, I dream of a day when our cities pulse with progress yet still echo the rhythms of our heritage. China's journey shows it's possible. Thandiswa Losi is a freelance columnist
CBS News
13-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Governor Moore explores future of transportation technology in Japan
Maryland Governor Wes Moore began his first international trade and investment endeavors by visiting Ogatayama, Japan, for a test ride on the world's fastest train. On Saturday morning, a briefing between Japanese and Maryland leaders was conducted before Moore rode the Maglev, a high-speed transportation technology. According to a press release from the Mayor's Office, the technology uses magnetic fields to lift and propel trains without direct contact with train tracks. Without the friction caused when train wheels touch their tracks, the train can essentially levitate, creating a smoother, faster experience. The train is reportedly able to reach speeds of 370 miles per hour in some models. This would be able to transport passengers from Baltimore to New York in just one hour or a ride from Washington D.C. to Baltimore in only 15 minutes. "As we embark on our first international trade mission, we're focused both on industries and technology of the future, and where Maryland has unique advantages to compete and win," Gov. Moore stated in the release. "Strong public transportation infrastructure is key to connecting Marylanders from where they live to where opportunity lies. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to experience this incredible technology in person and are excited to learn more about its potential." The Maglev could potentially boost Maryland's economy, which has been relatively stagnant for nearly a decade. "With the potential to create over 160,000 jobs, to reduce car traffic and air emissions, the Maglev train would place Baltimore square in the center of the dynamic Northeast Corridor," Wayne Rogers, Northeast Maglev Chair, said. Currently, Maryland lawmakers face a budget outlook worse than during the Great Recession in 2008-2009, with a $2.7B budget deficit for the next budget year, which begins July 1, 2025. However, quantum physics and computing, used to develop the Maglev, could spark change. In January, Wes Moore announced that he would be positioning Maryland to become a global leader in quantum information science and technology. "Quantum has the potential to transform every part of our economy and society, from national security to health care," Gov. Moore said. Essentially, quantum physics studies how atoms and light work, while quantum computing uses quantum physics to solve problems that regular computers, even the fastest ones, can't solve. In a 2023 60 Minutes report , CBS News broke down what exactly quantum computing is and how it could revolutionize the future.
