The Maglev Guideway Research Center
was founded this year as part of the Ferguson Laboratory. Initial
funding from the AMG was obtained to begin a preliminary design
of modular guideway. The guideway serves as the support and incorporates
part of the electric motor for the train.
The vehicle is designed for 300
mph and is held in position by electromagnets. The train has no
wheels, it is levitated by the electromagnets and does not touch
the guideway in operation.. The guideway must meet millimeter construction
tolerances and undergo very limited deflections from the weight
of the train and temperature. Seismic design of the structures must
also be considered.
The effort in the next year is
to continue the effort that has been started to develop an economical
and efficient design which meets U.S. specifications and the specifications
developed in Germany. This is a design and analytical project. An
initiative is underway in the U.S. Congress to gather support for
a three year effort to design, build, ship, and install as U.S.
guideway prototype into the maglev test track in Germany.