Fast-Speed Trains
Group 8 – Ethan Hack-Chabot, Mosammed, David, Kristina
12-20-2023
Introduction
In the United States, there has been a growing interest in the establishment of high-speed train networks as a viable alternative to air travel. These trains are intended to provide a speedy and sustainable alternative to flying for individuals commuting between cities. The objective is to make travel easier and faster, hence reducing traffic and pollution. If this concept is successful, it might make it simpler for people to get around, be better for the environment, and enhance the economy by better connecting cities. Fast-speed trains can revolutionize transportation in the US, reducing traffic, cutting emissions, and improving the economy, making them a smart investment for a more sustainable and advanced future. Fast-speed trains can revolutionize transportation in the US, reducing traffic, cutting emissions, and improving the economy, making them a smart investment for a more sustainable and advanced future.
Other Engineering Innovations
High-speed transportation has long been a focus of engineering innovations aimed at revolutionizing travel. In exploring different engineering ideas, it becomes evident that some proposals face significant challenges and limitations. There are complexities associated with various high-speed transportation innovations, examining their feasibility and potential limitations.
Magnetic levitation (maglev) technology has been proposed for highways to reduce friction and increase speed. However, the infrastructure costs, energy consumption, and practicality of implementing maglev highways on a large scale may make them less viable than conventional high-speed trains. For example, The Northeast Maglev (TNEM) is a private company that was founded in 2011 to build a high-speed rail between New York and the country’s capital, but has found progress slow and expensive. The company intends to build a route between Washington D.C. and Baltimore before eventually extending it to New York, and has claimed that this rain line would be capable of completing this trip in just fifteen minutes (Muoio, 2017). Similarly, traversing D.C. to New York would take an hour. In 2015, TNEM secured a $28 million federal grant in order to study the maglev’s feasibility, which has since been used to conduct an engineering feasibility analysis and environmental impact study for the Baltimore to Washington D.C. leg (Muoio, 2017). The ongoing process could take another two years to complete, Rogers said. The company has also collected $100 million in private funding, but will eventually need more to obtain their goals due to the high cost of the trains and track networks. Additionally, as Maglev trains require a straight rail to operate safely, the majority of the Washington D.C. to Baltimore route would need to be constructed underground.
Similarly, the Hyperloop concept aims for ultra-fast transportation, though the practical challenges of building and maintaining the required infrastructure, along with the potential safety concerns and the high initial investment, may hinder its widespread adoption over traditional transportation methods (The Boring Company, 2023). Serial entrepreneur Elon Musk indends to build a Hyperloop between Washington D.C. and New York, though this could face competition from TNEM (Muoio, 2017). To offset the high cost of construction, the Boring Company (also founded by Elon Musk) is designing a tunneling machine capable of simultaneously digging and placing wall reinforcements (Muoio, 2017). Reports have since suggested that TNEM is a more viable option than Musk’s Hyperloop because the technology is proven. “My personal opinion is we are 15 to 20 years away from being able to build it and safely move people,” a reporter said of the Hyperloop (Muoio, 2017). Additionally, it has an optimistic outlook for a plan that has been in the works for six years but still isn’t nearing construction. However, it’s arguably further along than Musk’s Hyperloop proposal, which has so far only secured verbal approval for construction.
Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) systems face challenges like building a widespread network, potential congestion at transfer points, and limited vehicle capacity, which may impact their efficiency and practicality compared to fast-speed trains in urban transport. Hovercrafts considered for urban commuting face challenges like energy inefficiency, noise pollution, and the need for specialized infrastructure, potentially limiting their effectiveness as a widespread transportation solution. Proposing solar panels in road surfaces for electricity faces concerns about durability under heavy traffic, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency compared to traditional solar farms, potentially limiting its effectiveness. Like the hyperloop, vacuum tube transportation uses high-speed capsules in a low-pressure environment. Musk’s Hyperloop would also travel in a vacuum-sealed tunnel (The Boring Company, 2023). Challenges include maintaining a vacuum over long distances, safety concerns, and the high cost of building and maintaining infrastructure, potentially impeding its success.
These ideas showcase the complexities and potential limitations associated with implementing certain engineering innovations for transportation. While they may have unique features or benefits, their overall feasibility and effectiveness could be hindered by various factors.
Technical Description
At its core, the design of these high speed trains is fairly simple: electromagnets are incorporated into both the tracks and the train itself, allowing for frictionless movement once the train reaches a high enough speed. The electromagnets on the train are powered by superconducting wires, a crucial part of the design and also a major expense, which will be covered more in depth in the following paragraphs (Japanese Maglev Train: World’s Fastest Bullet Train, 2017). Because of this design, existing rail infrastructure in the United States would not be sufficient and new tracks would have to be laid to accommodate the high speed trains. The newest magnetic levitation trains, or “Maglevs”, have been tested at speeds of 375 miles per hour, however those currently in operation reach a maximum speed of around 300 mph. This is still considerably faster than the first high-speed train introduced, Japan’s Shinkansen, which has been in operation since 1964 and reaches a maximum speed of 200 mph. These trains pioneered advancements in electrical braking systems and aerodynamic designs that made such high speeds possible, and tracks were welded in much longer sections than traditional rails to reduce vibrations. Further considerations for comfort were also taken into account, with much of the electrical wiring insulated within the train cabin so that passengers would not be subjected to the extra noise produced by the electrical system. Since then, this design has been improved by making the trains lighter and thus faster and quieter, but newer Maglev trains have surpassed them in both speed and comfort (Shinkansen: History in the Making, 2023). The first Maglev train opened in South Korea in 1993, but was largely a demonstration of what could be achieved in the future and was only a kilometer long. Beginning in 2004, five other Maglev trains have opened in China and Japan as well as South Korea (The Six Operational Maglev Lines in 2018, 2018). This technical description will focus on these types of trains, as they are ideal for covering long distances and would be an excellent candidate for connecting the major cities in the United States without the need for air travel.
I Electromagnets: The most essential part of the Maglev train is the electromagnets used
to drive and lift the train off the tracks. Any electrical current traveling through a wire will generate a magnetic field, and electromagnets are designed to maximize this magnetic field with a large number of coils wrapped around a magnetic core, which is usually made of iron (Electromagnets (Solenoids), 2023). While not necessary for generating a magnetic field, the core can increase the strength of the magnetic field by a factor of up to one thousand, and is therefore almost always part of the design. The magnetic field can be increased by increasing the number of coils or the current sent through the wire, though both values are linearly related to the strength of the magnetic field and thus will need to be greatly increased to generate a large enough magnetic field to lift the trains (Lesson Explainer: The Magnetic Field due to a Current in a Solenoid, 2023). A simple electromagnet can be seen in figure 1, where a nail, battery, and wire demonstrate how the direction of the magnetic field relates to the direction of the current. By reversing which end of the wire is connected to which end of the battery, the magnetic field can be reversed.
II Superconducting Coils: In order for these electromagnets to create a powerful enough magnetic field to support the train, an enormous amount of electricity must be sent through the magnet coils. Even the best traditional wiring has an inherent resistance, causing power to be wasted in the form of heat as current flows through. This also risks overheating other elements and weakens the wire over time. To circumvent these issues, a superconducting coil made from a niobium-titanium alloy is cooled to extremely low temperatures (Principles of the Superconducting Maglev system, 2023). Superconductors are a group of metals and alloys that have zero resistance when cooled below their critical temperature, and can therefore conduct extremely high currents. As the niobium-titanium alloy has a critical temperature of 10 Kelvin, liquid helium, which has a temperature of 4.2K at atmospheric pressure, is used to cool the coils (High-temperature Superconductors, 2023). Liquid nitrogen, which is much cheaper than helium but has a temperature of 77K at atmospheric pressure, is used to further insulate the liquid helium from outer temperatures. The superconducting system in its entirety can be seen in figure 2.
III Linear Motors: The forward propulsion of the train is generated by linear motors, which function as traditional motors where the alternating magnetic poles lie parallel to one another instead of an outer coil surrounding an inner one (What is a linear motor?, 2023). The sides of the train tracks are lined by a permanent magnet with alternating poles, so that the motion of the opposing and attracting poles passing one another drives the train forward. As the train accelerates, the aerodynamic design of the train creates lift beneath the train similar to how a plane would on takeoff, and when the train reaches 93 miles per hour, the lift force is great enough to assist the Maglev system in levitating the train up to four inches off the tracks. In this levitating state, the friction opposing the motion of the train has been greatly reduced, allowing for smooth motion at high speeds. The linear motor design is shown in detail in figures 3-5.
The process of the innovation:
The process of creating a high-speed rail system begins with figuring out the benefits to such a shift on society and which cities to connect them. Once ownership of required land(s) investors are seeked, such as related train line companies to fund it, from this collaboration plans are made for how everything will operate with major breakdown from architects and engineers. During the designing of stations rail lines would be already manufactured in facilities and construction starts, to lay tracks properly, similarly stations on the process of building too will have their own crews, then there will be safety concerns and limits as to how far maintenance of components can be deemed “at great condition” with certificate until the next checkup. The completed system will be tested to establish safety and confidence. Once everything is ready, the high-speed rail officially opens for people to use, and it continues to be maintained and operated to make sure it stays in good shape. Throughout this process, different groups like the government or local state, engineers, and construction workers work together to make high-speed rail a reality.
Cost:
High-speed rail projects are often large-scale, long-term endeavors with costs running into the billions of dollars. An example could be the proposed high-speed rail project between Dallas and Houston, known as the Texas Central Railway, with estimated costs ranging from $15 billion to $20 billion, depending on the source and the specific details of the project.
- 6.6 Billion D.C to New York City (Rail)
- 6.4 B per year during construction
- 1.2 B per year by numbers of Operating years
- 10 ~ 30 Million per mile (U.S dollar)
Time:
A rough estimate for the implementation of a high-speed rail project in the U.S. could range from 10 to 15 years, depending on project-specific factors and external circumstances like planning, approval, and design. Another implementation of the Maglev will be the construction of rail connecting a trip from D.C to New York would be just over 2 hours, and once a Maglev is functional one would be able to get there within an hour. (Passengers are able to make an immediate round trip in 2 hours total, which is the time required for a one way destination with the already existing lines. This project is expected to be ready within 7 ~ 15 years.
Materials: Steel – Traditional high-speed rail systems, like those in Japan and Europe, often use steel rails for the track. High-quality steel provides strength and durability.
Reinforced Concrete – Tunnels and bridges along high-speed rail routes are often constructed using reinforced concrete for stability.
Copper and Aluminum – Overhead catenary wires or third rails are often made from copper or aluminum to conduct electricity for electric-powered trains.
Aluminum Alloys – The body of high-speed trains is often constructed using lightweight aluminum alloys. Aluminum provides strength while reducing the overall weight of the train, which is critical for achieving high speeds and energy efficiency.
Composite Materials – Some modern high-speed trains incorporate composite materials, such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP), for specific components to further reduce weight.
Labor:
Civil Engineers are responsible for the design of rail alignment, bridges, tunnels, and other infrastructure components. Electrical Engineers are involved in the design of electrification systems for electric-powered trains. Mechanical Engineers contribute to the design of high-speed trains and related components.
Project Managers, Safety Inspectors. Environmental engineers, and Regulatory Affairs Specialists who assist in navigating the regulatory landscape and obtaining necessary approvals.
Consisting of qualified personnel jobs open ranging from 74,000 to 105,000 employees during construction.
- Highly skilled professionals, such as project managers and engineers, may command salaries ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 or more, while skilled construction workers and support staff may earn salaries ranging from $40,000 to $80,000 annually.
- Tens of thousands of workers could be involved during peak construction periods.
- A rough estimate for the materials cost alone could range from several hundred million dollars to several billion dollars for a large-scale high-speed rail project.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a high-speed rail system represents a remarkable fusion of advanced materials, engineering ingenuity, and cutting-edge technology. It is not just a mode of transportation; it embodies a commitment to efficiency, sustainability, and the seamless integration of various disciplines. By employing lightweight materials, sophisticated electrification systems, and, in some cases, magnetic levitation, high-speed rail not only transforms the way we travel but also sets a precedent for future innovations in transportation. The successful implementation of such projects relies on collaboration, meticulous planning, and a shared vision for a more connected and sustainable future.
References
- Alstom. “High-Speed Rail in America: It’s Already Here.” Alstom, www.alstom.com/high-speed-rail-america-already-here-alstom.
- Muoio, D. (n.d.). Elon Musk’s Hyperloop may have competition from a maglev train with $28 million in government funding. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/tnem-maglev-challenge-elon-musk-hyperloop-2017-9
- Hyperloop. The Boring Company. (n.d.). https://www.boringcompany.com/hyperloop
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Japanese Maglev Train: World’s Fastest Bullet Train – JRailPass. (2017, February 27). Japan
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Principles of the Superconducting Maglev system | SCMAGLEV | Central Japan Railway
Company. (2023). [Photograph]. Scmaglev.jr-Central-Global.com. https://scmaglev.jr-central-global.com/about/
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https://www.maglev.net/six-operational-maglev-lines-in-2018
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