CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1

Background
Overcoming the pull of gravity and fighting acceleration are one of the tough challenges

for scientists in order to achieve high-speed transportation. One of the methods is the modern and
growing technology known as Magnetic Levitation (Maglev). Today, maglev train is one of the
fastest growing means of transportation in advanced countries. Maglev train is silent, can
performed faster and smoother than wheeled mass transit systems and the power and energy
needed for levitation is lower percentage of the overall consumption; most of it being used to
overcome air resistance (Williams, 2011).
The first commercial maglev train officially opened in 1984 near Birmingham, England.
It operated on a monorail track between Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham
International railway station and its running speeds up to 42 km/h (26 mph) (Mane, et al., 2013).
Currently, the most famous implementation of high-speed maglev technology in operation is the
Shanghai Maglev Train. It can transports people 30 km (19 miles) to the airport in around 7
minutes and achieving a top speed of 431 km/h where the averaging speed is 250 km/h.
Magnetism and closed-loop control system are the secrets to making an object float in
middle of the air. It utilizes a linear synchronous motor for propulsion and permanent magnets
for stabilization and levitation. The train can remain suspended above the ground by maintaining
a constant air gap between the magnets and the rail above. Electromagnetic suspensions (EMS),
Electrodynamic suspensions (EDS) and Inductrack are the types of maglev suspension system.

1.2

Motivation
There is a lot of power, energy and force consumption used to move an object with

physically contact, and it also causes much of the energy and power loss especially when dealing
with large amount of weight of an object such as the normal conventional train. It may also lead
to damages due to the friction force and pressure that occurs in a system that always need
maintenance routine. This also causes a higher cost of maintenance or skills due to the expensive
equipment and manpower. Therefore, this research is to study about the relationship between the
technology of magnetic levitation and the reducing of power, energy and force consumption, so
that this physics technology of levitation can be implemented in a new technology application to
reduce power, energy and force, and at the same time reduce the cost of maintenance and
avoiding damages of the system.