Travelling Green: Is Maglev the Future of Eco-Friendly Transportation?

According to the United Nations, global temperatures are predicted to rise as much as 4.4 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. This temperature increase would create severe heat waves, droughts, and floods, resulting in detrimental social, economic, and political impacts. Although this is a global issue, researchers have indicated that these weather phenomena will particularly impact underdeveloped communities and marginalized groups. A recent EPA investigation found that in the United States, transportation accounts for approximately 29 percent of total US greenhouse gases, making it the largest contributor to climate change by sector. In Canada, the oil, gas, and transportation industry make up the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, reaching up to 52% in 2019. It is apparent that there is a demand for clean, zero-emission transportation in the developed world. Yet, there seems to be few countries willing to make a serious effort to address such demand. Among the nations paving the way is China. 

In July 2021, the Chinese state-owned railway company, CRRC Corporation Limited, announced the release of a new Magnetic Levitation (MagLev) supertrain in Qingdao, in the Shandong province of China. The new train is one of three Maglev trains operating in China, but is undoubtedly the most advanced. While the Shanghai Maglev can travel at 430 kilometers per hour, the new Qingdao project can reach speeds of close to 600 kilometers per hour while emitting zero greenhouse gases. In addition to increased speed, the new train has a braking system that is 30 percent more efficient, is able to operate in both extreme heat and cold, features 5G access, and can hold up to 100 passengers. Interestingly, the Chinese government has already begun to lay the groundwork for further Maglev projects, most notably between Beijing and Shanghai, two of China’s most populated cities. This route would connect over 47 million people and reduce travel time to three and a half hours, according to CRRC estimates. 

This efficiency and minimal environmental impact is made possible by replacing the traditional train engine with magnetic levitation technology. A Maglev train operates by using superconducting magnets which are cooled to extreme temperatures and placed at the bottom of the train and on the surface of the tracks. These two sets of magnets will repel each other and allow the train to hover just a few centimeters above the track. The lack of contact between the train and the track removes any friction, which allows Maglev trains to travel at high speeds. The train moves forward via magnetized coils embedded in the walls next to the track, which, when supplied with power, creates a system of magnetic fields that pushes and pulls the train along the track. While MagLev seems to be the future of green transportation, it has yet to be adopted by developed countries in the West. As of today, no Maglev trains are operational in Europe or North America. 

The two key issues associated with building and managing a Maglev system are its capital-intensive nature and its requirement for novel infrastructure. Maglev trains are also often ruled out due to their lack of short-run returns on investment (ROI); when it comes to combating climate change, the benefits are often hard to quantify and seem intangible at times, thus making it hard to justify spending billions upfront. The Washington-based company, Northeast Maglev, is one of the few government-backed projects that is looking to develop a Maglev project in the Northeastern Corridor of the United States. Starting in Washington DC and ending in Boston, the train would make stops in New York City, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. These cities are some of the most densely populated areas in the country, possessing 52% of the worst highway bottlenecks  and accounting for 17 percent of the population and 20 percent of U.S jobs. Northeast Maglev has backing from several U.S politicians as well as the Japanese government and Central Railroad company, who seek to use their expertise in Maglev technology as an exportable commodity. 

The Northeast Maglev project will have positive environmental and economic impacts in the long run, such as reducing both noise and air pollution emitted from cars and airplanes. The train itself is an environmental improvement from its predecessors, as it will reduce current rail energy consumption by 30 percent. This will become increasingly important as the traffic in the Northeast Corridor is expected to increase 22 percent by 2040. The project is also projected to have large economic benefits both for the states involved and for the United States overall. Northeast Maglev estimates that initial construction will increase GDP by $22.5 billion, while regular operations will increase GDP by $524 million annually. In addition to GDP growth, the project will reduce costs for commuters every year and save hours spent each week stuck in traffic. The Maglev project will allow commuters to not only reduce travel time, but also to use that time for travel work, personal endeavours, and other productive activities. 

The primary roadblocks for Northeast Maglev are the cost of development and operation, as well as infrastructure and urban planning. To build and operate a Maglev system between Washington DC and Baltimore would cost somewhere in the neighbourhood of $10 billion. Extending through to Philadelphia, New York City and Boston would cost billions more. One of the most expensive parts of the system is the rare earth metals needed to build certain components. In addition to the cost of building, the costs and logistics associated with developing a new infrastructure system within an old and extremely dense metropolitan area is an added complication. Unlike other railway systems, Maglev trains require specialized guideways, power stations, and superconducting magnets that cannot be combined with existing railroad tracks. These infrastructure issues are present in other Maglev projects, such as the proposed train between Beijing and Shanghai and between Tokyo and Osaka. However, Northeast Maglev will have an obstacle China and Japan did not face: politics and lobbying. This project, if successful, will likely face resistance from the automobile and airline industries. In addition, Northeast Maglev will have to deal with several local and state governments, as well as the federal government. This could create political gridlock capable of either halting the project entirely or delaying its progress. 

When it comes to China and other developed East Asian countries, Maglev is the future of modern transportation. The Chinese government has already begun working on expanding the current Maglev system to reach all corners of the country and streamline transportation for the most populated cities. For the United States and Canada, there seem to be more barriers for Maglev projects, both politically and technically. Though Maglev faces challenges, the belief in its potential to reduce carbon emissions is widespread. Whether it is Maglev or not, transportation must evolve.