By: Lincoln Davis
The world today is evolving rapidly in all industries as we attempt to prescribe all aspects of life with the common ideology of efficiency. Efficiency is defined as a competence in which the ability to do something well or achieve a desired result is done without wasted energy or effort. For examples sending hardcopy mail versus sending email, using the remote control on a television, using high speed internet, and etc. These were all created such that the individual using this good or service uses minimal effort or energy to complete tasks on a daily basis. I believe that those who merge technology with the efficiencies of the end user provide a service that is invaluable to the market.
This brings me to the point of logistic services and transportation. As we know logistics and the transportation of individuals and goods has been the foundation of the construction of all economies in the industrial age. As we transfer into this digital stage we are about to witness the beauty that lies within the inclusion of science and technology.
Without Further a due I give you the Maglev, derived from the words magnetic and levitation, which will probably be one of the largest generational changes in transportation that the world will ever be able to experience.
The Maglev is a transport method that uses magnetic levitation to move vehicles without touching the ground. With maglev, a vehicle travels along a guide way using magnets to create both lift and propulsion, thereby reducing friction and allowing higher speeds. In Maglevs that levitate by magnetic repulsion, the train lies over the guide way. Magnets on top of the guide way are oriented to repel similar poles of magnets in the bottom of the maglev. This pushes the train upward into a hovering position. This system is designed for Maglevs that contain groups of extremely powerful superconducting electromagnets. It is the fastest commercial train currently in operation and has an unfathomable top speed. BBC new recorded it is as the fastest train reaching 347 miles an hour top speed!
This will revolutionize how we see transportation in the next 15 to 20 years although it is being implemented in a multitude of Asian countries like Japan and China. This form of transportation brings about how technology will reform all aspects of life from personal to logistical.
To give you a visual of the speed here is a diagram showing its speed compared to some of the fastest land vehicles known to man. This new innovation of train has already been in speculation by some of the most influential people in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, In order to provide a save quick and efficient transpiration service for those who want to travel from city to city. Said to be in Victorville, Ca, this is about 80 miles from LA, many are concerned that the location of the train will be deterrence to taking the train. Contrarily, on an annual basis 19,000,000 people travel through Victorville meaning that cost may be supplemented by people taking the train. Essentially, these trains may be used to transport goods, precious cargo, and individuals. This can dramatically increase the production of businesses on the consumer side and the capital and inventory side.
Having visited LA on more than a few occasions and enduring what has got to be some of the worst rush hour traffic I have experienced anywhere in the world, the idea of an advanced rail service sounds like something the city desperately needs to ease both congestion and pollution.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! This would definitely provide to be a solution to many transportation and commuting problems. This reminds me of what Tesla Ceo, Elon Musk, is attempting to accomplish. He has proposed a system called Hyperloop, where trains would travel city to city at 700 mph. He wants to place the first system in California with the train traveling San Francisco to San Diego. Check out this article, it even compares it to the Maglev.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cnn.com/2013/08/12/tech/innovation/hyperloop-fastest-trains/
Great post! This would definitely provide to be a solution to many transportation and commuting problems. This reminds me of what Tesla Ceo, Elon Musk, is attempting to accomplish. He has proposed a system called Hyperloop, where trains would travel city to city at 700 mph. He wants to place the first system in California with the train traveling San Francisco to San Diego. Check out this article, it even compares it to the Maglev.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cnn.com/2013/08/12/tech/innovation/hyperloop-fastest-trains/
This is an amazing post. Being that I was born and raised in Los Angeles County, I understand the frustration of driving ten miles on the 405 freeways during rush hour. I am a fan of transporting people and valuable merchandise, while causing less pollution. My only question is, how often will the Maglev make stops to be convenient for all its riders?
ReplyDeletethis new technology could possibly compete with airports. if the train could come close to getting someone to their destination as a plane would then. I could see this being a great thing
ReplyDeleteThe only thing more shocking about the idea of this post is that it has already in put in motion and is performing better than some of the train and subway system that are in place now. While this probably requires a big up-front investment, it could definitely save cities, states, and even countries humongous amounts of money annually. This kind of reminds me of solar powered energy...except it's electromagnetically powered.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post, thanks for the diagrams! While I totally love the idea, it looks a little scary for me. What happens if the magnets falter and the train hits the track? Is there some type of failsafe? What happens if there is a break in the track? Is there any possibility for this train to derail?
ReplyDeleteThese are just a few of the questions I would have to ask before I even considered using this train. That being said, once they get out the kinks and make a few mistakes, I'd probably be willing to try it. Additionally, this could be a great opportunity for marketing for businesses. If a tech organization like Google or Apple wanted to help fund this project, it would help for efficiency.
This post is a great testament to the importance of quick and efficient transportation in this new global community that we share. There is no surprise that countries like China and Japan are the pioneers of this Maglev movement. After reading this, two main questions come to mind; how can this technology be monetized best, and what is next for maglev. Although i don't see it happening even within 50 years, eventually i think it will act as a major economic driver or spark, that can change a countries economic state as well as revolutionize the way we move around. Eventually, once the technology is developed more, more accessible and cheaper to produce, there could be a major infrastructural revolution that can strengthen the economy by providing jobs and encouraging spending. At that point, our roads will no longer be tar, but a most likely some type of metal that can be made magnetic. This will also drive/be driven by a shift in car manufacturing where they would utilize the maglev technology in those cars. At this point, especially in big countries like the US, the way we move around will be revolutionized. Cars will move so fast that, i could potentially live in south florida, and commute to work in Manhattan daily.
ReplyDeleteI recently watched a show on history channel about this technology. This is really the type of innovative idea that will propel us to the Jetson's lifestyle. A world with jet cars and floating buildings. This will definitely make train travel popular again by increasing travel times.
ReplyDelete