Introduction:
(First slide on screen) By a show of hands, how many of you have ridden the Top-Thrill Dragster at Cedar point?... (Slide #2). It turns out that the same technology this thrill ride uses it to propel it to 120 mph in approxiately four seconds is being used for transportation in the form of train systems. (slide #3) It’s called the maglev train or magnetic levitation train. (slide #4) I’d like to tell you more about this efficient mode of transportation by explaining how this new technology works, why it’s sometimes a better alternative to flying, and what it can mean for long-distance travel in the future.
1. According to wikipedia.org, magnetic levitation transportation is defined as “a form of transportation that suspends, guides and propels vehicles (especially trains) using electromagnetic force.”
- There are motors located beneath the track rather than part of the train.
- This cuts down on overall weight of the train.
- Huge magnets are on the track sidewalls for lateral guidance, and magnets beneath for propulsion.
- The magnets create a push pull sequence by reversing polarity.
- According to an article in the Toronto Star written by Peter Calamai, “the force of powerful magnets suspends these trains in the air above a rail, eliminating friction from moving parts.”
- Each section is activated in sequence meaning the only time the motor is on for a particular section is when the train is directly above it
-this means a severe decrease in weight and a more efficient and environmentally friendly train propulsion system.
Transition: I will now tell you a little more about it’s direct advantages over other forms of high-speed travel; the airlines in particular.
2. Maglev trains are cleaner and more time efficient for the shorter hauls.
- These engines create much less emissions than the average airliner (insert
statistic)
- In an article in Sunday Mail written by Brian Lironi, Brian says this about a proposed maglev, “The maglev carries the same number of passengers as three Glasgow to Edinburgh diesel trains but produces less than a third of the carbon dioxide emissions.”
- Nearly a direct line route to destination and no waiting for many other trains to depart at the same time.
- Weather is the number one reason for delay for the average airliner.
- The average waiting time for trains are much shorter.
- On July 27 2007, Roger Collis of The New York Times Media Group states, “What counts most with rail travel is the quality of uninterrupted time from the moment you board to the time you arrive: a train station's 10-minute average check-in time for business travelers includes going through security.
Transition: Because these trains have the capability to compete with the airlines, lets look at the future imlications to having this form of transportation available.
3. The maglev train can compete with the airlines because it travels at speeds upwards of 310 mph.
- According to Howstuffworks.com, “Developers say that maglev trains will eventually link cities that are up to 1,000 miles Apart”
- Experts believe that a maglev train will be built between Paris and Rome, and at these speeds, one could make this trip in two hours.
- On May 30 of 2007, Chinadaily.com stating said this about a maglev train line proposal between Shanhai and Hangzhou, “If it is built the line will stretch some 108 miles and will carry trains running at speeds of up to 280 mph between the two cities.”
- With routes between the most popular destination and the biggest cities, this means airlines will be in direct competition with maglev trains.
- This drives down costs of tickets and will force the airlines to be more efficient.
- Also, wait times dramatically decrease because of the high volume of people on the train relative to the average airliner.
Conclusion:
Final transition to conclusion: “In closing, you now know the basic concept of the maglev system, why this technology can be a better alternative to airliners, and what it can mean for the future of high-speed travel.”
- They work by levitating the train above the track and propelling with a push-pull magnetic technique.
- The environmental advantages are substantial and they are much quieter
- With tracks built to high-travel destinations, another level of competition will be brought on to an inefficient airliner system.
Closing statement: “So next time you decide to ride a rollercoaster 420 feet into the air, just remember that sombody else is using that same technology to go to work.”
Works Cited
“Maglev train.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 17 September 2007
18 September 2007.
“How Maglev Trains Work.” Howstuffworks.com 1 September 2007
18 September 2007. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/maglev-train1.htm>
Calamai, Peter. “Discovery Raises Hopes for Levitating Trains.” Toronto Star 31 May 2007:
A16. LexisNexis. 18 September 2007.
Collis, Roger. “European high-speed trains: At times, faster than air.” The International Herald
Tribune 27 July 2007: p.20. LexisNexis. 18 September 2007.
“Debate Continues Over Proposed Maglev Train Route.” Chinadaily.com 30 May 2007.
LexisNexis. 18 September 2007.
Lironi, Brian. “The Train Now Floating at Platform One Will Go From Glasgow to Edinburgh
in15 Minutes.” Sunday Mail 17 June 2007: FEATURES p. 40. LexisNexis. 18 September 2007.
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