Technical Reports
Validating Electromagnetic Walking Stick Rail Surface Crack Measuring Systems
A series of field studies were undertaken to evaluate electromagnetic walking stick systems and their ability to measure the depth of damage from surface breaking cracks. In total, four railroads, and four suppliers participated in the project. The walking sticks were able to determine whether...State-of-the-Art Assessment of Guideway Systems for Maglev Applications
The engineering, environmental, diagnostic, and economic feasibility of Maglev guideway systems are assessed with an emphasis on composite materials as directed by Congress. This study further examines the performance and the cost of existing and innovative guideway systems that are applicable to...Sensor Systems for Monitoring Maglev Guideway Structures
This report is an assessment of the technologies available for continuous monitoring of the physical condition and structural integrity of maglev guideways. The detection of obstructions on the guideway is not included. No particular guideway design is assumed, other than that the largest part of...Safety of High Speed Magnetic Levitation Transportation Systems: Final Report on Magnetic Field Testing of TR-07 Maglev Vehicle, Volume I - Analysis
The safety of various magnetically levitated (maglev) and high speed rail (HSR) trains proposed for application in the United States is of direct concern to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The characterization of electric and magnetic fields (EMF) emissions, both steady (dc) and...
Power Transfer to High Speed Vehicles
This final report summarizes work performed in the assessment and analysis of power transfer techniques to high speed vehicles. The objectives of this research were to determine the optimum power transfer technique for two power levels at high speed and to prepare a preliminary design of the...Novel Cryogen-free Actively Shielded Superconducting Magnets for Maglev Vehicles
This report presents the results of a research effort into the design of a shielded superconducting magnet system for a maglev vehicle. The magnet design is based on a novel cryogen-free technology which allows operation without the use of any cryogenic fluids. This is accomplished by the use of...
Maglev System Concept Definition: Severe Segment Test Report
This report presents Foster-Miller Maglev system performance results and cost analysis for the Severe Segment Test (SST) stipulated by the government. The route design procedures are described and the resulting SST route geometries are defined for the two sets of requirements on ride quality ("...