Maglev trains come in various speeds, not only high-speed trains. Low and medium-speed Maglev trains are more suitable for running in urban city areas, similar to subways or light rail. China's first domestically-made low-and medium-speed Maglev trains are now undergoing test run operations.
This is China's newest Maglev train. The test runs began in Tangshan in Hebei Province on June 15th about one week ago. The train has three carriages. And each carriage has between 100 and 120 seats.
Maglev trains float on a magnetic field and are propelled by a linear induction motor. There are no wheels running along a track, so there is no wheel noise. Just like this newest Maglev train shown here, its working noise can hardly be heard five meters away.
The Maglev train has a designed speed of up to 120 kilometers per hour. That's faster than light rail trains, which can attain speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour. The Maglev train also has stronger power going uphill and turning corners. The Maglev train will offer more convenience and faster service for urban transport.
Vehicle power supplies are located inside the train carriages. Even if there is a sudden loss of electricity, these power supplies can help the Maglev train keep on running to a safe area, before gradually stopping. Engineers say there will be very little electro-magnetic radiation created when the power generating machine is running.
Chairman of Beijing Enterprises Holdings Maglev Tech. Devt. said, "Compared with the radiation from television and electric shavers, the electro-magnetic radiation from the Maglev train is minimal."
The operational system of the Maglev train is also designed to increase safety.
Currently, Japan has the most mature technology on low-and medium-speed Maglev train development. Successful test runs on China's newly-developed Maglev trains show that China will be able to mass produce this technology.
(CCTV June 23, 2009)
