When you think about it, transportation technology has been critical in the growth of scientific innovations. From the early invention of the wheel to the development of steam engines, with the advent of combustion engines and the assembly line, different forms of transportation technology geared widespread technological development.
One of the interesting developments in the modern age of transportation is the introduction of magnetic levitation technology, especially in trains. Simply put, magnetic levitation walks through putting in place a system of magnets between the train and the train line that causes the train to move efficiently. This article discusses five interesting points on the advantages and benefits of magnetic levitation in train transportation, often called maglev trains.
- Speed
Maglev trains projects are significantly faster than traditional trains. Traditional trains use wheels or similar mechanisms to move across railway lines. Therefore, the friction between the train’s wheels on the railway line reduces the train’s speed. This is because friction acts as an opposite force against the wheel, reducing the force or energy through which the wheel moves. As a result, it becomes imperative that trains put in place more robust engines that can counteract the friction between the wheels and the train line for faster speeds.
However, maglev trains use linear motor technology and are levitated above the train lines. As such, the amount of resistance against the train is significantly reduced. Therefore, the train can move faster and arrive at the intended location quicker. Notably, this poses an extensive benefit to the general public and possibly the economy by cutting down the time spent commuting from one place to another.
- Energy Efficient
Maglev trains are significantly energy efficient. Two primary factors contribute to the energy efficiency of maglev trains. First, maglev trains operate through linear motor propulsion. As a form of locomotion technology, linear motor propulsion operates by converting electric energy into linear motion instead of rotation, as used in different wheel trains.
Linear motor propulsion is smoother and consumes less energy than rotational motor propulsion. This is because much energy is lost in rotating the wheels before the wheels move compared to the energy that would otherwise be used in linear motor propulsion.
Secondly, the aerodynamic design of maglev trains reduces the possibility of air resistance operating against the train. Therefore, less energy will be required to move the train from one point to another.
- Smoother Ride
Maglev trains move smoothly as compared to traditional trains. Traditionally, many people associate train transport with a bumpy ride, especially when trains encounter different obstacles across the railway line. Even in modern trains, the wheel’s rotation on the railway line is subject to a lot of friction, making the train journey bumpy.
However, the levitational technology used in maglev trains reduces the contact between the train and the railway line. Therefore, the train’s movement is unencumbered and smooth, bearing in mind that the train faces minimal resistance on the line.
The ride quality in maglev trains is also significantly improved compared to traditional trains. Since most maglev trains are built using modern technology, the different compartments of the trains have modern seat arrangements, which maximize the comfort of all passengers. The resultant effect is that the journey will be comfortable and smooth.
- Eco-Friendly
In the modern age, environmental concerns are increasingly on the rise. Different facets of the transportation industry are continually developing new technology to make transportation environmentally friendly. However, only a few modern transportation mechanisms are as environmentally friendly as the maglev trains.
Maglev trains benefit the environment in different ways. First, trains use less energy compared to different transportation mechanisms, including traditional trains. As such, the net effect is less energy is generated to be used in the trains, meaning the trains pose a less environmental strain on existing resources.
Secondly, maglev trains eliminate minimal waste. Compared to other transport mechanisms such as combustion engine cars, maglev trains eliminate minimal greenhouse gasses, and none, meaning they are minimal contributors to global warming. Additionally, since the trains do not eliminate smoke or other toxic gasses from the atmosphere, they do not contribute to general air pollution compared to traditional trains and other forms of transportation.
Lastly, maglev trains are silent and move smoothly. Therefore, they do not contribute to noise pollution in different cities. Without extensive noise pollution, cities are likely to be peaceful places to live in, as is intended for the cities of the future.
- Potential For Further Development
As noted above, maglev trains are inherently efficient on different fronts. As such, they are a desirable form of technology, especially for future locomotion. It is important to note that maglev trains have yet to be assimilated into all global cities. They are primarily based in modern cities such as Beijing in China and other European cities. Since this technology is incredibly beneficial and poses a minor strain on the environment, the technology posits a good platform for further development and research.
Presently, maglev technology is limited to trains. However, there are numerous possible applications of maglev technology in various industries. For instance, maglev technology could be incorporated into cars and buses on the BTR system to create flying cars. This is still in the ideation phase since movement on land differs from air movement and is still subject to research.
Aside from applications in transportation, maglev technology could also apply to space exploration by reducing the energy spent propelling rockets into space. Additionally, using maglev technology in wind turbines could make them more energy efficient and cause them to generate more net energy at a given time. This will increase possible avenues for eco-friendly energy generation.
Wrapping Up
Maglev trains are exciting modes of transportation. They pose a wide array of benefits to modern society extending beyond speeds and efficiency in transportation. The trains are also environmentally friendly and energy efficient, making them ideal for the most appropriate mode of transportation in the foreseeable future. Maglev technology has revolutionized transportation and posed a great advantage to various other industries owing to the versatility of application across the board. It is, therefore, essential to put in place mechanisms for further research and scientific innovation on the use of the same technology around the globe.