R&D Directions of Super-speed Maglev Systems for Positive Public Acceptance

1. R&D Directions of Super-speed Maglev Systems for Positive Public Acceptance 2010. 10. 29 Hyung Suk Han Head, Department of Magnetic Levitation and Linear Drive KIMM (Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials) Daejeon, Republic of Korea

2. Outline • Motives • Objectives • Survey of Pros and Cons • R&D Directions • Korea’s Maglev Program -Urban -Super-speed • Conclusions

3. Motives Promising Super-speed Magnetic Train • Context of tracked transport in the 1960s-1970s • road traffic continues to display rapid growth tendencies • limited capacity of air transport • technical and economic limits imposed on the further development of railway technology • These circumstances signaled the beginning of the development of a new super-speed system for medium and long distances, to adapt to increasing transport demand • super-speed maglev system opened up new possibilities for tracked transport • reduction of door-to-door journey time • profitability • harmonization with the environment • comfort

4. Motives Positive Attitude and Cooperation • Owing to its potential, the concept of super-speed magnetic train development was accepted by numerous key planners, including industrialists, scientists, and railway operators, as well as the government • In Germany, thanks to its positive acceptance, Transrapid was developed in a short period of time, achieving speeds of 412.6 km/h in 1988 • In Japan also, the MLU and MLX were built approximately 30 years ago • Fortunately, many key decision-makers were positive and cooperative at the beginning of our R&D into super-speed maglev trains

5. Motives Railway Systems Development • Jointless tracks were introduced, which could enable conventional trains to run at speeds of nearly 400 km/h • The speed difference between wheel-on-rail trains and super-speed magnetic levitation trains reduced, even though the latter still has several advantages over the former • As well, the deployment of super-speed magnetic trains was postponed or cancelled for various reasons • Consequently, at the present time, there are some who are not in favor of super-speed magnetic train R&D activities

6. Motives Korea’s Railway Environment • The Seoul-Busan line, at 450 km in length, is suitable for the construction of a super-speed maglev system due to its population density • The 300km/h KTX will be operated entirely on this line from this November • For this reason, a new or additional super-speed train may not be required on this line in the near future Seoul Busan

7. Motives Korea’s Railway Environment • In addition, a new 370 km/h high-speed train, a wheel-on-rail technology, is in development • On the other hand, 3 new potential super-speed lines have been recently proposed • Korean mainland - Jeju island (167 km) • Korea-Japan (222.6 km) • Korea-China (341 km)

8. Motives Korea’s Railway Environment • The Urban Maglev demonstration line will be opened at the Incheon International Airport area in 2013 • Recently, the super-speed maglev R&D group has consisted of KRRI, KIMM, and others • As is well-known, the super-speed maglev program requires a huge budget and many years of work • To initiate such a project, a public consensus supporting the project would be desirable • % public: national government, manufacturers, operators, and the general public

9. Objectives • The objective of this article is to establish the R&D directions for a super-speed Maglev train that could be accepted favorably by the public. • To do this, diverse opinions from the public were surveyed and analyzed considering the trend and demand in railway transportation. • The established directions will be reflected both in the urban and super speed Maglev train R&D program, and further discussions of the issues would take place.

10. Opinion Survey Civil Servants • Positive • The super-speed maglev train is expected to be a future form of transport for long distances • Accordingly, a fundamental study on the core technologies is needed • Negative • Less demand • Since the speed difference is less, what are its competitive advantages? • Is it technically possible to realize it? • Can you assess the expected R&D expenses and period? • “Are you sure you will succeed?”

11. Opinion Survey General public • Positive • The super-speed maglev train is a fantastic, futuristic vehicle, providing fast travel at speeds comparable to an aircraft • Negative • Promoting social welfare now is a bigger priority than benefits in the distant future

12. Opinion Survey Operator • Positive • The super-speed maglev train is very interesting • It is good idea to study it • Negative • “Oldest is best” • Maglev technology has not been fully proven in terms of the safety and the economical aspects • Why should I be the first user? I don’t want to be a early adopter.

13. Opinion Survey Manufacturers • Positive • It is a good idea for academia and institutions to study it • Negative • Profit-seeking from the urban maglev under development is preferred • We could not wait for such a very long and uncertain period

14. R&D Directions Established • The following R&D directions for a super-speed Maglev train could be favorably accepted by the public. • finding potential routes • clearly suggesting the budget and years required • show up the special features and advantages with a easy way • clear assessment of the construction and operating costs • don’t request huge funds, even at early stage • distinct or novel technology • try to apply the maglev technology to other fields for early profit • aggressive advertising

15. ‘90 Small-Scale Model ’05 UTM-02 Built ’97 1.1 km Test Track Completed Korea’s Maglev Program History • Maglev R&D promoted by Korean government started in Dec. 1989 ’96 Bogie Test ’06 Super-speed Maglev R&D Started ’98 UTM-01 Built Spin-off ’07 Urban Maglev Program Started UTM : Urban Transit Maglev

16. Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban Introduction • objectives • development of Urban Maglev system (top speed: 110 km/h) • construction of demonstration line (about 7 km) for the developed Maglev system test • program period: 2007 ~ 2013 (7 years) • program budget: 450 M US$ • contents • SystemsEngineering • Maglev vehicle development • construction of demonstration Line • participants : 26 organizations (private companies, universities, R&D institutes)

17. Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban Schedule (Test) (Design & Manuf.) (30 months)

18. Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban System Specifications

19. Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban Vehicle Design

20. Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban Demonstration Line Plan • Site : Incheon Int’l Airport • Schedule • Design : Nov. ’07 – Jan. ’09 • Design Review: Jan. ’09 – Dec. ’09 • Construction : Feb. ’10 – Jul. ’12 • Test & Evaluation : Aug. ’12 – Jul. ’13 • Line Length : 6.1 km (Double Track) • Cost : 300 M US$ • 6 Stations & 1 Depot • 3 Consists will be in service in the initial stage. (2 Cars per Consist)

21. Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban Guideway Comparision • advantages of Maglev system • slender structure makes it more aesthetically pleasing • girder without slab is used as vehicle guideway • construction cost and period are reduced Steel Wheel Rubber Tire Maglev

22. Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban Demonstration Line in Service (Video)

23. Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban Prototype Vehicles Running on Test Track

24. Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban Outside Noise • test results : measurement position (7.5m away from guideway) ※ measured outside noise : Less than 65 dB(A), which is the design limit

25. Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban Future Work • commercialization in various cities is inevitable • improvements to be carried out • dramatic cost reduction of guideway construction • show evidence of reliability, safety, operating cost, maintainability and aesthetic guideway design

26. Korea’s Maglev Program-Super-speed Aims • KIMM began research on the fundamental technologies at the end of 2005 • goals • more stable and economic maglev system • system decision • novel conceptual design

27. Korea’s Maglev Program-Super-speed Summary of Achievements • levitation and propulsion system decision • levitation: hybrid of permanent magnet and electromagnet • guidance: electromagnet • propulsion: Linear Synchronous Motor • Levitation and propulsion unit design and performance tests • Suggested our own conceptual design [Levitation and propulsion unit performance tester]

28. Korea’s Maglev Program-Super-speed Work underway • assembly of ¼ scale vehicle to study the feasibility of the levitation technology on a super-speed train [1/4 scale virtual vehicle] [1/4 scale actual vehicle]

29. Korea’s Maglev Program-Super-speed Future Work • make a super-speed maglev R&D group • contents to be performed • short and long term R&D planning • start of basic investigations • system design • demonstration of the proposed system on a small scale

30. Conclusions • R&D directions for a super-speed Maglev train that could be favorably accepted by the public: • finding potential routes • clearly suggesting the budget and years required • show up the special features and advantages with a easy way • clear assessment of the construction and operating costs • don’t request huge funds, even at early stage • distinct or novel technology • try to apply the maglev technology to other fields for early profit • aggressive advertising • cooperation rather than competition among all groups worldwide at first, to enlarge the pie