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

Acceptance

Hyung Suk Han

Head, Department of Magnetic Levitation and Linear Drive KIMM (Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials)

Daejeon, Republic of Korea

2010. 10. 29

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

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Promising Super-speed Magnetic TrainMotives

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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

Positive Attitude and CooperationMotives

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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

Railway Systems DevelopmentMotives

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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

Korea’s Railway EnvironmentMotives

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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

Korea’s Railway EnvironmentMotives

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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)

Motives

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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

Korea’s Railway Environment

Objectives

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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.

Civil ServantsOpinion Survey

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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?”

General public

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Opinion Survey

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

Operator

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Opinion Survey

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.

Manufacturers

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Opinion Survey

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

R&D Directions Established

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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

HistoryKorea’s Maglev Program

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‘90Small-Scale

Model’96BogieTest

’971.1 km

Test TrackCompleted ’98

UTM-01Built

’05UTM-02

Built

’06Super-speedMaglev R&D

Started

UTM : Urban Transit Maglev

Spin-off’07

Urban MaglevProgramStarted

Maglev R&D promoted by Korean government started in Dec. 1989

IntroductionKorea’s Maglev Program-Urban

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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• Systems Engineering• Maglev vehicle development• construction of demonstration Line participants : 26 organizations (private companies, universities,

R&D institutes)

ScheduleKorea’s Maglev Program-Urban

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2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

R&D

Systems Engineering

Prototype Consist Vehicle System

3 Consist Vehicle System

Guideway System

DemoLine

Site Selection

Line Design

Construction

Commissioning Test

(Design & Manuf.) (Test)

(30 months)

System Specifications Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban

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UTM-02 New SystemCar Size (L X W X H) 13.5m X 2.85m X 3.53m 12m X 2.7m X 3.45m

Car Weight (Empty) 27 ton 19 tonPassenger Capacity 120 per Car 115 per CarMax. Speed 110 km/h 110 km/hPropulsion System LIM + VVVF Inverter LIM + VVVF InverterNumber of Bogies 3 per Car 4 per Car

Climbing Capability 6 % 7 %

Min. Radius 60 m 50 m

Gauge 2,000 mm 1,850 mm

Acc./Deceleration 3.6 km/h/s 4.0 km/h/s

Air gap (Levitation) 10 mm 8 mm

Turn-Out Switching Time 90 Sec 25 Sec

Vehicle DesignKorea’s Maglev Program-Urban

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Demonstration Line PlanKorea’s Maglev Program-Urban

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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)

Guideway ComparisionKorea’s Maglev Program-Urban

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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

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

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Prototype Vehicles Running on Test TrackKorea’s Maglev Program-Urban

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Outside NoiseKorea’s Maglev Program-Urban

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Ambient Noise 54.4 dB(A)

Noise While Vehicle Running64.5 dB(A)

: measurement position (7.5m away from guideway)

※ measured outside noise : Less than 65 dB(A), which is the design limit

test results

Future WorkKorea’s Maglev Program-Urban

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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

AimsKorea’s Maglev Program-Super-speed

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KIMM began research on the fundamental technologies at the end of 2005

goals

• more stable and economic maglev system

• system decision

• novel conceptual design

Summary of AchievementsKorea’s Maglev Program-Super-speed

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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]

Work underwayKorea’s Maglev Program-Super-speed

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[1/4 scale virtual vehicle] [1/4 scale actual vehicle]

assembly of ¼ scale vehicle to study the feasibility of the levitation

technology on a super-speed train

Future WorkKorea’s Maglev Program-Super-speed

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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

Conclusions

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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