United States Department of Transportation
i
Safety of High Speed Magnetic Levitation Transportation Systems : German High-Speed Maglev Train Safety Requirements - Potential For Application in the United States
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1992-02-01
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[PDF-11.99 MB]
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Abstract:The safety of various magnetically levitated (maglev) trains underdevelopment for possible
implementation in the United States is ofdirect concern to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
This report is the second in a series of reports addressing the safety of high-speed maglev trains and
presents the results of the review to determine the suitability ofGerman safety requirements for
application to maglev systems as proposed for U.S. operations. The intent of the review was to compare the
German and U.S. safety requirements in order to assist the FRA in determining what regulations and
guidelines may be necessary to ensure a high level of safety for U.S. passenger service.
The review focuses on the High-Speed Maglev Trains Safety Requirements. Reeelwerk
Magnetschnellbahnen-Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen (RW MSB), which was developed by a
German working group of representatives of the German Federal Railways (DB), the Testing and Planning
company for Maglev Systems, (MVP), the Institute for Railway Technology (IFB), and safety experts of
TUV Rheinland and TUV Hanover, headed by TUV Rheinland, and sponsored by the Federal Ministry for
Research and Technology.
The German safety requirements were reviewed in terms of safety related functional areas of the following
areas of the following seven maglev system elements: vehicles; guideway; passenger stations; signal,
control, and communications (SCO; plans and procedures; personnel; and operating environment.
Potential safety concerns for each of the maglev system functional areas were identified. The German
safety requirements and the applicable U.S. safety requirements are described and then compared to
determine their applicability to proposed U.S. maglev system operations. Recommendations are also
included for FRA consideration.
In general, the German effort appears to ensure the same high level of safety for maglev trains that is
expected in the United States for similar ground transportation technologies. The challenge lies in
transferring the experience of Germany to the U.S. regulatory environment.
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