Maglev technology has been researched since the 1960s, but only in the last 15 years have full-scale passenger-carrying prototypes been built and tested. National governments, including the United States' are seriously looking at Maglev as a new, convenient, safe and fast means of travel in the 21st century. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), is taking the lead to bring Maglev to the United States.

Germany is leading the technology race with its design, called the Transrapid. Transrapid technology utilizes conventional electromagnets and forces of attraction to levitate and guide the vehicle.

      View video of Transrapid's Maglev demonstration site in Emsland, Germany.

Please note: Video is 2MB and will take approximately 5 min. on a 56.6 connection. A Windows computer should play the video automatically, though if you need the plug-in, download the latest version of QuickTime Player. Movie opens in a new browser window.

The Transrapid TR08	The Transrapid TR08	Components for the Transrapid Maglev system
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Close behind Germany, Japan has developed an entirely different design involving superconducting magnets to generate repulsive forces to levitate and guide the vehicle. Germany's technology is ready for commercial production, while Japan's technology is still in the experimental phase, approximately five years from production.

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has selected Transrapid for the technology to be used for the Baltimore-Washington Maglev project.