Urban Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV) Transit - Japanese HSST System
Summary: The High Speed Transit System (HSST) runs on an elevated guideway with closely spaced stations. The cars are suspended 0.3 inches above the guideway surface by electromagnets, and propelled by a linear induction motor (LIM). The car body is aluminum alloy. The first commercial system is currently being operated in public service in Japan. The vehicle picture and map shown below represent September, 2004.
Transportation Benefits of this System include:
- Operation: Driver-less automatic train operation
- Maximum Speed: 65 mph with maximum acceleration of 2.5 miles/hour/second
- Minimum Horizontal Curve Radius: 165 feet
- Environmentally Friendly: Noise and vibration Free
- Steep Grade Capability: 7%
- Safe and Comfortable: No risk of derailment
- All Weather Operation: Can be operated during a snow storm
Geographic Location: The first commercial train of the HSST System began revenue service on the Tobu Kyuryo Line
in the suburbs of Nagoya city in Japan, on March 6, 2005. This route is 5.6 miles long and has nine stations. The capacity is 3,500
passengers/hour. End-to-end trip time is 15 minutes, with 6 minute headways (frequencies) in the peak-period and 10 minute headways during the off-peak period.Development Status in the U.S. The Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Urban Maglev Program seeks to improve one or more maglev
technologies using advancements resulting from U.S. technology research and development. The program is intended to develop systems
for specific identified locations. Two of the five teams conducting these studies (Colorado Department of Transportation and MUSA) included the HSST system as part of their research.The following graphics illustrate some characteristics of the system and provide some comparative data on functionality and costs.
Additional detail is available at the following websites:
- Chubu HSST Development Corporation: www.meitetsu.co.jp/chsst/index-e.html
- Tobu Kyuyo Line (Japanese only): www.linimo.jp/
- ITOCHU International Incorporated: www.itochu.com/
- ITOCHU Corporation: www.itochu.co.jp/main/index_e.html
- Honolulu proposal: www.honolulumaglev.com (includes brochure and FAQ)
Click here for more photos, some history of the HSST and additional detail about the project.
Here are some photos of the maglev vehicles being used to serve the Expo 2005 site in Japan..
U.S. Contacts:
Mr. Frank Latino : latinofrank@hotmail.com or Tomoo Yokobri: tomoo.yokobri@itochu.com
ITOCHU International Inc. representatives
The relationship between J. Schneider and ITOCHU Corp./ ITOCHU INT'L INC. and Chubu HSST is and shall always remain that of independent parties. This posting shall not be construed as representing any relationship of agency, employment, partnership, joint venture or common enterprise by or between the parties concerned.
As to the accuracy or completeness of the information of the HSST System provided by ITOCHU or on behalf of Chubu HSST, ITOCHU Corp. has no liability to you or any third party user relating to or resulting from the use of the information concerning the HSST System provided, or for any errors therein or omission therefrom, and that any posting of the information provided shall contain this disclaimer.
