Shanghai Maglev Train
| Shanghai Maglev Train 上海磁浮示范运营线 |
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|---|---|
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 Maglev train coming out of the Pudong International Airport in Shanghai |
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| Background | |
| Transit type | Magnetic levitation |
| Number of lines | 1 |
| Number of stations | 2 |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | January 1, 2004 |
| Operator(s) | Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co., Ltd. |
| Technical | |
| System length | 30.5 km (18.95 mi) |
The Shanghai Maglev Train or Shanghai Transrapid (Chinese: 上海磁浮示范运营线; literally "Shanghai Maglev Demonstration Operation Line") is a magnetic levitation train, or maglev line that operates in Shanghai, China.
It is the first commercially operated high-speed magnetic levitation line in the world and only the third Maglev line to be operated. The train line was designed to connect Shanghai Pudong International Airport and the outskirts of central Pudong where passengers could interchange to the Shanghai Metro to continue their trip to the city center.
Construction of the line began in 1 March 2001,[1] and public commercial service commenced on 1 January 2004. The top operational commercial speed of this train is 431 km/h (268 mph), making it the world's fastest train in regular commercial service since its opening in 2004, faster than TGV in France and also faster than the latest CRH conventional wheel train in China at 350 km/h (217 mph). During a non-commercial test run on 12 November 2003, a maglev train achieved a Chinese record speed of 501 km/h (311 mph).[2] The top operational speed of 431 km/h (268 mph) is also faster than the top speed of any Formula One car and Motogp prototype.
It cost $1.2 billion to build.[3] The train set was built by a joint venture of Siemens and ThyssenKrupp in Kassel. The track (guideway) was built by local Chinese companies who, as a result of the swampy soil conditions of the Pudong area, had to deviate from the original track design of one supporting column every 50 meters to one column every 25 meters, to ensure that the guideway meets the stability and precision criteria. Additionally, they had to inject several concrete piles to depths of up to 70 meters into the ground, to support the column foundations. A local facility to manufacture the guideway elements was installed next to the track area prior to construction.
The electrification of the train was developed by Vahle, Inc.[4] Two commercial maglev systems predated the Shanghai system: the Birmingham Maglev in the United Kingdom and the Berlin M-Bahn. Both were low-speed operations and closed before the opening of the Shanghai Maglev Train.
The line is often considered part of the Shanghai Metro network, although there is a separate fare system.
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Background[edit]
The line runs from Longyang Road station in Pudong to Pudong International Airport; The Pudong International Airport station provides a transfer to Line 2, but the Longyang Road station provides access to Line 2 and Line 7. At full speed, the journey takes 7 minutes and 20 seconds to complete the distance of 30 km (18.6 mi), although some trains in the early morning and late afternoon take about 50 seconds longer. A train can reach 350 km/h (217 mph) in 2 minutes, with the maximum normal operation speed of 431 km/h (268 mph) reached thereafter.
Hans-Dieter Bott, vice president of Siemens that won the contract to build the rail link, stated that "Transrapid views the Shanghai line, where the ride will last just eight minutes, largely as a sales tool. This serves as a demonstration for China to show that this works and can be used for longer distances, such as Shanghai to Beijing".[5] However, the decision was eventually made to implement the Beijing-Shanghai Express Railway with conventional high-speed technology, and to build maglev tracks for the shorter Shanghai-Hangzhou trip instead.
Operation[edit]
The line is operated by Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co., Ltd and runs from 6:45 AM to 9:30 PM, with services every 15 to 20 minutes. A one-way ticket costs ¥50 (US$7.27), or ¥40 ($5.81) for those passengers holding a receipt or proof of an airline ticket purchase. A round-trip return ticket costs ¥80 ($11.63) and VIP tickets cost double the standard fare.
Following the opening, overall maglev train ridership levels were at 20% of capacity.[6] The levels were attributed to limited operating hours, the short length of the line, high ticket prices and that it "virtually goes nowhere", terminating at Longyang Road in Pudong – another 20 min by subway from the city centre.[6]
| Daytime hours | 06:45–08:45 | 09:00–10:45 | 11:00–12:45 | 13:00–16:45 | 17:00–21:40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journey time (minutes) | 8:10 | 7:20 | 8:10 | 7:20 | 8:10 |
| Maximum speed | 301 km/h (187 mph) | 431 km/h (268 mph) | 301 km/h (187 mph) | 431 km/h (268 mph) | 301 km/h (187 mph) |
| Average speed | 224 km/h (139 mph) | 251 km/h (156 mph) | 224 km/h (139 mph) | 251 km/h (156 mph) | 224 km/h (139 mph) |
| Interval | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 20 minutes |
Construction[edit]
The Shanghai Transrapid project took ¥10 billion (US$1.33bn) and two and a half years to complete. The line is 30.5 km (18.95 mi) track and has a further separate track leading to a maintenance facility.
Extensions[edit]
In January 2006, the Shanghai-Hangzhou Maglev Train extension project was proposed by the Shanghai Urban Planning Administrative Bureau. The extension would continue the existing line towards Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, running via Shanghai South Railway Station and the Expo 2010 site, with a possible continuation towards Hangzhou. The extension would allow transferring between the two airports — located 55 km (34 mi) apart — in approximately 15 minutes.
The plan for the extension to Hangzhou was first approved by the central government in February 2006, with a planned date of completion in time for 2010. Work was suspended in 2008, owing to public protests over radiation fears.[7] According to China Daily, as reported on People's Daily Online 27 February 2009, the Shanghai municipal government is considering building the maglev line underground to allay the public's fear of electromagnetic pollution and the final decision on the maglev line had to be approved by the National Development and Reform commission.
Another approval was granted in March 2010, with construction to begin in late 2010.[8] The new link was to be 199.5 km (124 mi) long, 24 km (15 mi) longer than the original plan. The top speed is expected to be 450 km/h (280 mph) but limited to 200 km/h (124 mph) in built-up areas.
However, in October 2010 the non-maglev Shanghai–Hangzhou High-Speed Railway was opened, bringing travelling time between the two cities down to 45 minutes. Plans for a Maglev link have been suspended again.[9]
Incidents[edit]
On 11 August 2006, a Maglev train compartment caught fire at 2:40 p.m., after having left Pudong International Airport in the direction of Pudong Longyang Road Station. There were no injuries aboard. Preliminary reports indicated that an electrical problem may have been the cause.
Stations[edit]
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English |
Hanzi |
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| Longyang Road | 龙阳路 |    |
Pudong |
| Pudong International Airport | 浦东国际机场 | |
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See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Chronicle of Events, Shanhai Maglev Transportation Development Co., Ltd.
- ^ Shanghai Maglev Train
- ^ Singh, Sanjay (27 June 2012). "Maglev embodies Chinese extravagance". India Today (New Delhi). Retrieved 31 December 2012.
- ^ "VAHLE Chronicle". Vahle Konkret Special: Chronicle of a Century. Paul Vahle GmbH & Co. May 2012. p. 9. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
- ^ McDonald, Joe (January 23, 2001). "Germans win bid to build China's futuristic rail link". The Independent (London). Retrieved May 23, 2010.
- ^ a b Wu Zhong (2007-06-13). "China's dented image projects". Asia Times.
- ^ "Report: China suspends work on magnetic levitation train over radiation fears". International Herald Tribune.
- ^ "Report: Maglev extension given green light". Shanghai Daily.
- ^ "Report: Maglev link plan is suspended". Shanghai Daily. January 19, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
External links[edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shanghai Maglev Train |
Coordinates: 31°12′14″N 121°33′14″E / 31.20389°N 121.55389°E
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