Abstract
The JR-Maglev system is an innovative transportation means in which trains can be levitated and operated at a speed up to 550 km/h. Running tests of the JR-Maglev have been conducted for five years for the purpose of evaluating its practicability. In March 2000 the Technical Evaluation Committee of the former Ministry of Transport (MOT) approved that the JR-Maglev had reached the level of practical use in technical aspect. Now, further developments for cost reduction and improvement in aerodynamic characteristics are being carried out. New-type vehicles were introduced to the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line in Summer 2002. In addition, running tests of these vehicles were put in practice at speeds up to 550km/h, and the expected performance of the vehicles was confirmed. New-type sidewalls, new-type ground coils, and high efficient converters were introduced in Autumn 2002,and the expected performance of each was confirmed. This paper deals with the progress in the development of the JR-Maglev system.
