Next generation high-speed rail: trains that fly

By Tuan C. Nguyen | May 13, 2011, 12:04 AM PDT

Much has been made about the technology behind Meglev trains and its potential to revolutionize high-speed transportation. But even those futuristic darlings, which can travel at speeds of up to 361 miles per hour, are susceptible to the slowing effects of wind drag.

Now a group of researchers at Tohoku University in Japan believe they’ve discovered a way around this aerodynamic inefficiency and, oddly enough, it involves slapping on some wings.

This technology, known as a ground-effect train, works similarly to a Meglev train in that it’s designed to levitate across a fixed track, an approach that eliminates the problem of railway friction. However the difference is that it accomplishes this by floating on a cushion of air that propels it forward instead of the strong force of an electromagnetic field, which contributes to the drag effect whenever a Meglev is moving at slower speeds.

They’ve even built a robot prototype that’s currently being tested, but as you can see from the video, the technology has its own inefficiencies to overcome. Since the vehicle operates more like an aircraft than a train, researchers still need to figure out how to build an autonomous three axis stabilization system that can handle the pitch, roll, and yaw-type maneuvering of flying vehicles.

Eventually, the researchers hope to scale up the model to a manned train capable of speeds of 200 kilometers per hour and test it in a more controlled track. The team’s ultimate goal is to somehow incorporate the technology into a large commuter rail system called the Aero Train, which is depicted above.

Obviously, it’ll probably take a while — if it ever does happen.

Rail Freight (http://www.stobartgroup.co.uk/services/transport-and-distribution/stobart-rail/)

Please, study the text and find equivalents for the following expressions.

With the rapidly rising cost of fuel and today’s carbon, congestion and cost conscious society, road haulage is an increasingly controversial issue. Not only do the ongoing rises in fuel charges play a significant factor in FMCG (Fast-moving consumer goods) inflationary pressures, but the carbon footprint of road transport has become a major consideration.

Stobart’s dedicatedrail freight services, first launched in 2006, represent an innovative solution to reducing carbon emissions. The trains are based on specially commissioned containers which are packed at the customer site. They are then transported to the railhead on Stobart skeletal trailers, where the containers are transferred onto the Company’s rolling stock for transport to their destination.

Since the launch of the original Daventry to Mossend service, the project’s success has resulted in the launch of a further three UK trains, running between five and six days per week, with an additional route from Wakefield to Mossend due to commence shortly.

Stobart Rail Freight Routes:

Return trips on the above routes frequently have highly cost-effective capacity available.

Building on a successful UK track record in the operation of environmentally responsible daily railfreight services, Stobart Rail operate a dedicated weekly train, which links the fruit and salad growing areas of southern Spain with the UK’s major grocery retailers, the train transports thirty chilled containers each controlled and monitored using the latest satellite technology; ensuring produce arrives in exceptional condition.

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