Maglev trains basically work by the simple principle that opposite poles attract, and similar poles repel, but in reality it is much more complex than this. Maglev trains work by gliding over the rails instead of rolling on them, and so do not create any friction on the rails while they are moving. Unlike all other forms of transportation, the system which causes the movement is not in the vehicle itself, but is in the guide way, or rails, beneath the train. These guide ways contain iron stator (a stator is the coil while the magnets is the rotor) packages containing 3-phase cables, and the vehicle is able to levitate when the guide ways attract the support magnets on the

The development of maglev trains is an important step in long distance, high speed transportation. The population of the earth is gradually increasing, and the current limited forms of transportation available are not enough to match this increase. Maglev trains are safer then most other types of transportation, and will, according to the California High-Speed Rail Authority (1999), be cheaper then the cost of an aeroplane ticket per person.

In reference to noise pollution, Carl E. Hanson (1999) has written a paper under contract of the U.S. Department of Transportation on the subject. It states that the trains travelling at high speeds can generate noise levels over 100 dBA at the typical maximum cruising speeds, but that all of this noise is produced by the aerodynamic design of the train itself. The trains themselves create very little noise, less then freeways and airports, even during the accelerating and braking of the train (California High-Speed Rail Authority, 1999). The train, since it runs on electricity, also lacks the sound of an engine, and when approaching a town at a moderate speed it is barely louder then the normal noise level. Even at a speed of 250 km/h it is quieter then a commuter train passing at 80 km/h (MVP Versuchs- un planungsgesellschaft fur Magnerbahnysteme m.b.H., 1999).

At the moment there are maglev systems being developed in the countries of Japan and Germany, with two different forms of magnetic levitation being developed; electromagnetic suspension (EMS) and electrodynamic suspension (EDS). As well as the countries that are currently developing maglev systems, there are a number of others which are considering placing maglev systems in their countries once the technology has been sufficiently advanced. Probably the most enthusiastic of these countries is the United States of America, which currently has several different plans in effect for maglev systems, including a rather extensive one in California. (MVP Versuchs- un planungsgesellschaft fur Magnerbahnysteme m.b.H., 1999; California High- Speed Rail Authority, 1999; Johnson, 1999; Jasdanun, 1999)

Because the active part of the propulsion unit is built into the guide way as opposed to the actual train, the train is significantly lighter, and thus saves on drive energy. The guide way also is only switched on in the section where the maglev train is located, also cutting down on energy use. Finally the fact that the train never actually touches the rails helps to reduce wear and tear on the train, so there will be less expense repairing the train. (MVP Versuchs- un planungsgesellschaft fur Magnerbahnysteme m.b.H., 1999)

Currently there are several areas of concern

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1834
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)