Goldstein 1

William Goldstein
Prof. Malvin-Middleton
ENGL115: Approaches to University Writing
2 November 2015
Magnetic Bullet Train
Many new mass transit technologies available today are way too expensive to use, and
expand rapidly. For example, in Northeaster Corridor of the United States, where the land and
population are closer together than in the west, upgrading to high speed rail will cost $150 billion
dollars. This isnt the only problem regarding building a high speed rail system. Upgrading to a
high speed rail will require long-term environmental impact studies and long-term benefits.
These studies cost money, and without a lot of Federal government help, the states are largely in
control of upgrading to high speed rail. However, the Federal government kicked-in some needed
cash to start upgrading the rail system to modern technology. "In 2009, the Obama administration
awarded nearly a billion dollars of stimulus money to plan and upgrade a high-speed rail line
connecting Chicago to Milwaukee and Madison. A year later, Scott Walker, the newly elected
governor of Wisconsin, rejected his state's portion of the money and the project was, for the time
being, at least, derailed" (Smart, 1). Fortunately, California received that money since Scott
Walker derailed the upgraded transportation for the mid-west. California has committed federal
funds to building its high-speed rail link between San Francisco and Los Angeles. However, the
rail system will require the state to raise more money by a new cap-and-trade market on carbon
emissions. In other states like Texas and Florida, investors have come forward with private funds
to build high-speed rail. Several privately funded projects are also in the planning stages. But
even though these projects connect cities across states, high speed rail is not being offered in

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cities as a means of moving people to their jobs and to keep cars off the road. Instead, cities like
Los Angeles are handicapped by the necessity for cars to get around the greater L.A. area.
Without a car, the city is not accessible. This lack of accessibility punishes citizens that cannot
afford car payments and insurance. To prove its efficiency, the train would have an initial, short
run of tracks stretching from Los Angeles to Anaheim. With the magnetic bullet train system,
Californians may experience a hazard-free, experience that can get them from Los Angeles to
Anaheim in under an hour.
The technology to support this project seems optimistic, but it actually exists today. For
example, Arx Pax Hover Tech coincidentally developed by the company Arx Pax in Silicon
Valley offers one possible way for a more affordable transportation system. The team is using
MagLev technology a technology used by bullet trains to run with less friction and more fuel
efficiency to hover buildings in the circumstance of earthquakes. Combining MagLev Tech
with the ShakeAlert system, a system used to detect incoming earthquakes, Arx Pax tech will
detect incoming earthquakes, and will push buildings upward until the earthquake stops. This
shows us how earthquake-detecting technology can be integrated with MagLev to effectively
bypass harsh environments in any given situation, even trains. MagLev technology is
traditionally used for bullet trains. These trains use something called Electromagnetic
Suspension, which creates a small, magnetic field on the bottom of the train. Unlike traditional
trains, MagLev trains dont have typical engines. The train uses the power from the electrified
coils in the tracks, which are called guideways, to propel itself forward, eliminating the use of
fossil fuels. In So not only is the fuel economy extremely affordable, the MagLev system reduces
friction, allowing for a much faster trip from any two points. As Lee states in the work Model

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and Magnetic Configuration Effect on Shock Layer Enhancement by an Applied Magnetic
Field, he states:

The Maglev train offers numerous advantages over the conventional wheel-on-rail
system: 1) elimination of wheel and track wear providing a consequent reduction
in

maintenance costs; 2) distributed weight-load reduces the construction costs of the

guideway; 3) owing to its guideway, a Maglev train will never be derailed; 4) the

absence

of wheels removes much noise and vibration; 5) noncontact system prevents it

from

slipping and sliding in operation; 6) achieves higher grades and curves in a

smaller

radius; 7) accomplishes acceleration and de- celeration quickly; 8) makes

it possible to

eliminate gear, coupling, axles, bearings, and so on; 9) it is less susceptible

to weather

conditions.

This technology is impressive and clearly possible, but surely the affordability of this
Magnetic Bullet Train is nonexistent, except for the elite and the wealthy.
This technology is cheaper than you would think. During the planning stages of this
project, the developer in charge of the railway would approach various companies for
advertising. This advertising will help to alleviate the stress of regular train fare. In addition, the
technology will be sold to the government in the hopes it would become standard. If so, the
government would help fund the project and will thus become even cheaper for guests to ride the
train. The Magnetic Bullet Train is sellable, because MagLev technology is ten times cheaper
than the present day high-speed rail. In fact, it would reduce the overall shipping price of goods
spent by truck-driving from $0.10 to $0.05. Thats a bigger difference than you would think,

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considering the size of a cent. In addition, trains with Maglev technology are more affordable
since they can climb grades of 10% while conventional rail can only climb 3% grades. This
ability to climb steeper grades means less tunneling around the Los Angeles area, making the
train more environmentally friendly. The trains ability to adapt more readily than traditional rail
trains thus means more direct routes around Los Angeles with the hills and mountains working
well with the technology available. In addition, the train cars will not have be be constructed
using heavy weight-distribution technology. Traditional trains require much heavier support
construction for the concentrated wheel loading. Maglev technology allows for lighter trains and
materials for a more even distribution. Overall, MagLev tech allows for new innovations in
transportation. Better yet, it opens the world to a whole new range of possibilities that would
revolutionize the realm of technology.
Many new mass transit technologies available today are way too expensive to use expand
rapidly. However, the Magnetic Bullet Train System would allow for a cheaper alternative for all
people no matter their financial class. California received federal funds from a scrapped highspeed rail project. The California government used these funds to build its own high-speed rail
link between San Francisco and Los Angeles. However, the system requires the state to raise
even more money than the funds given. Many other states like Texas and Florida have private
investors that have come forward with private funds to build their high-speed rails. But even
though these projects connect cities across states, high speed rail is not being offered to move
people to their jobs and to keep cars off the road. Instead, cities like Los Angeles are stunted by
the necessity for cars in order to gain accessibility. This lack of accessibility punishes citizens
that cannot afford car payments and insurance. To prove its efficiency, the train will have an
initial, short run of tracks stretching from Los Angeles to Anaheim. The company Arx Pax in

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Silicon Valley offers one possible way for a more affordable transportation system. By using
MagLev technology to hover buildings in the circumstance of earthquakes, a technology
normally used on magnetic bullet trains, Arx Pax proves the efficiency and multiple uses of
MagLev technology. Combining MagLev Tech with the ShakeAlert system, a system used to
detect incoming earthquakes, Arx Pax tech detects incoming earthquakes and pushes buildings
upward until the earthquake stops. This shows us how earthquake-detecting technology can be
integrated with MagLev to effectively bypass harsh environments in any given situation, even
trains. In addition, MagLev technology is ten times as affordable as the present day high-speed
rail. Trains with Maglev technology can climb steeper grades than regular high-speed rails,
which ultimately means less tunneling around the Los Angeles area, making the train more
environmentally friendly. Ultimately, with the Magnetic Bullet Train system, Californians may
experience a hazard-free, experience that can get them from Los Angeles to Anaheim in under an
hour. The Magnetic Bullet Train will not only change the lives of Los Angolans it will change
the world and technology forever.
Works Cited
BARISIC, SONJA, and Writer. "Old Dominion University Breaks Ground on Magnetic-cushion
Transportation System." Associated Press, (2001): 1.
Bonsor, Kevin. "How Maglev Trains Work" 13 October 2000. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://
science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/maglev-train.htm> 02
November 2015.
"Magnetic Transportation: The Way of the Future." University WireNov 12 2014. ProQuest.
Web. 28 Oct. 2015 .
Matsuda, Atsushi, Hirotaka Otsu, Masaaki Kawamura, Detlev Konigorski, Yuji Takizawa,

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Shunichi Sato, and Takashi Abe. "Model and Magnetic Configuration Effect on Shock
Layer Enhancement by an Applied Magnetic Field." Physics of Fluids, 20.2
(2008):.
Sanchez, Rene Omar. Wireless Magnetic Sensor Applications in Transportation Infrastructure.
n.p.: ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2012.
Smart, Michael. "Why Can't America Have High-speed Trains? - CNN.com." CNN.
Cable News Network, 5 May 2015. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.
Smith, Anna Deavere. Twilight--Los Angeles, 1992 on the Road: A Search for American
Character. New York: Anchor, 1994. Print.
Transportation - Arx Pax." Arx Pax. Arx Pax, LLC, 2014. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.