1. 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

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

3. Promising Super-speed Magnetic Train
Motives
Promising Super-speed Magnetic Train
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

4. Positive Attitude and Cooperation
Motives
Positive Attitude and Cooperation
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 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

5. Railway Systems Development
Motives
Railway Systems Development
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

6. Korea’s Railway Environment
Motives
Korea’s Railway Environment
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

7. Korea’s Railway Environment
Motives
Korea’s Railway Environment
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)

8. Korea’s Railway Environment
Motives
Korea’s Railway Environment
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

9. Objectives
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.

10. Civil Servants Opinion Survey 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?”

11. General public 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

12. Operator 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.

13. Manufacturers 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

14. R&D Directions Established
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

15. History Korea’s Maglev Program
Maglev R&D promoted by Korean government started in Dec. 1989
‘90
Small-Scale
Model
’96
Bogie
Test
’97
1.1 km
Test Track
Completed
’98
UTM-01
Built
’06
Super-speed
Maglev R&D Started
’05
UTM-02
Built
Spin-off
’07
Urban Maglev
Program
Started
UTM : Urban Transit Maglev

16. Introduction Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban 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)

17. Schedule Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban R&D Demo Line (Design & Manuf.)
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
R&D
Systems Engineering
Prototype Consist Vehicle System
3 Consist Vehicle System
Guideway System
Demo
Line
Site Selection
Line Design
Construction
Commissioning Test
(Design & Manuf.)
(Test)
(30 months)

18. System Specifications
Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban
System Specifications
UTM-02
New System
Car 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 ton
Passenger Capacity
120 per Car
115 per Car
Max. Speed
110 km/h
Propulsion System
LIM + VVVF Inverter
Number 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

19. Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban
Vehicle Design

20. Demonstration Line Plan
Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban
Demonstration Line Plan
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)

21. Guideway Comparision Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban Rubber Tire Maglev
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
Steel Wheel
Rubber Tire
Maglev

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

23. Prototype Vehicles Running on Test Track
Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban
Prototype Vehicles Running on Test Track

24. Noise While Vehicle Running
Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban
Outside Noise
test results
: measurement position (7.5m away from guideway)
Ambient Noise
54.4 dB(A)
Noise While Vehicle Running
64.5 dB(A)
※ measured outside noise : Less than 65 dB(A), which is the design limit

25. Future Work Korea’s Maglev Program-Urban
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

26. Aims Korea’s Maglev Program-Super-speed
KIMM began research on the fundamental technologies at the end of 2005
goals
more stable and economic maglev system
system decision
novel conceptual design

27. Summary of Achievements
Korea’s Maglev Program-Super-speed
Summary of Achievements
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]

28. Work underway Korea’s Maglev Program-Super-speed
assembly of ¼ scale vehicle to study the feasibility of the levitation technology on a super-speed train
[1/4 scale virtual vehicle]
[1/4 scale actual vehicle]

29. Future Work Korea’s Maglev Program-Super-speed
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

30. Conclusions
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