MAGLEV TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT

When transportation discussions venture into such things as Maglev technology alternatives, all the high powered consultants tell us is that we, "don't have the full breadth of expertise to make total sense of the minutia...”” Then they begin the mantra, "proven technology" or "proprietary technology" and say something about, "...isn't the point of Maglev technology...speed...?"

The last excuse is one of whether there is any example of advance Maglev technologies in "proven revenue service". Unfortunately unknown to these experts there are two representative Maglev technologies presently doing quite well in revenue service. The risk takers in this technology can be found in California at Disneyland and Six Flags Magic Mountain. (See my earlier article)

It is my challenge to these politburo folk to take a ride and discover the speed of our currently running revenue receiving Maglev technology. Why I will even join them and pay for the ride!

It is my hope that the CHRSA Board Members at least take this small risk to feel the power of Maglev future, rather than suggest how wonderful it was on high speed rail services in Europe. It is these decision makers who should lead us into transportation futures for California.

One fervently hopes that we Californians can vote for something better than old rail technology somewhat souped up! . Maglev has smooth transitions and can easily reach the CHSRA goals of reaching distant stations in our state to supplement our need for short time frames between the Bay Area and the Los Angeles Basin.

One hopes that we Californians can avoid crossing our fingers, or putting together prayerful hands for our people taking on this challenge for us all. All we need is rather the thumbs up signal choice of Maglev technology for our traveling future.

BY Graham Kaye-Eddie – Master Urban Designer.

Makabusi Inc. – Bakersfield – California

Email – makabusi@pacbell.net

It's a scooter! It's a chariot! It's going to fall over!

After a year of hype and hoopla, New Hampshire inventor Dean Kamen unveiled "Segway," a motorized two-wheeled scooter that balances itself. By Peter N. Spotts

RUF Dual Mode Transport System

A multimodal vehicle

Urban Maglev

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has an Urban Maglev program aimed at the "low speed" market. "The overall objective of the program is to develop magnetic levitation technology that is a cost effective, reliable, and environmentally sound transit option for urban mass transportation in the United States."

Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV)

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has a maglev deployment program aimed at high-speed inter-city travel.

HSST-100S SPECIFICATIONS

The HSST-100S turning radius is 25m, and the larger HSST100L turns in 50M.

The Koros MLV turning radius is advertised as 30mR

Some excellent pictures of many vehicles in testing modes.

The 20-second magic behind `Potter' toys

A painless 20-second procedure was all it took for Karl Meyer and his designers at Gentle Giant Studios in Burbank to revolutionize the art of toy making.

Orchestras on the brink?

San Jose Symphony conductor Leonid Grin in action this spring. His orchestra has closed down for the season.