Transrapid

Transrapid is a maglev train system developed by Transrapid International, a joint venture of Siemens AG and ThyssenKrupp. It uses magnetic levitation and linear motor propulsion to move a train along a specially built guideway, aiming to provide high-speed, low-friction intercity travel with reduced noise and vibration compared to conventional rail.

Technology and operation are based on several core elements. The train levitates above the guideway using electromagnetic suspension (EMS), with onboard and track-based sensors and control systems maintaining a stable, very small gap. Guidance is performed magnetically to keep the train on course, while propulsion and braking are provided by linear synchronous motors integrated into the guideway. The system typically requires a fully grade-separated guideway, with continuous power and control infrastructure to ensure precise, automatic operation. Safety features include automated train protection and fail-safe control logic.

Development and deployments. Work on Transrapid originated in West Germany and progressed through extensive testing on dedicated facilities, including the Emsland test track. The most prominent commercial application is the Shanghai Maglev Train, opened in 2004, which operates on a about 30-kilometer line between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road, with a planned top speed around 431 km/h. This line remains the only large-scale commercial implementation of Transrapid technology. Several proposed projects in Germany and elsewhere were discussed over the years but did not progress to full construction, due largely to cost, political considerations, and competition from other high-speed technologies.

Current status. Transrapid technology continues to be marketed by Transrapid International, but new orders have been limited, and Shanghai remains the primary example of a commercially deployed Transrapid system. The technology is often cited in discussions of high-speed maglev options, alongside other maglev and high-speed rail approaches.