There are currently two high speed transportation systems under early development in California, using vastly different technologies, and different funding systems.

One is the California High Speed Rail System (HSR) is fully dependant on taxes from a public bond measure scheduled for a vote in 2008. This TGV type system will run from San Diego to San Francisco. This is a steel wheel train, using a catanary to derive its power from overhead cables.

The other is the Orangeline High Speed Mag-Lev system (OLDA) being developed along the route from Irvine to Palmdale. This is the technologically and environmentally superior system, using magnetic levitation and linear accellerator motor along a mono-rail type guideway.

While I am supportive of any effort to improve our miserable transportation system, you probably sense that I am partial to the Mag-Lev, and that is true for a number of reasons.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFERENCES
First is the process to develop this system. OLDA Mag-Lev is being developed cooperatively between the jurisdictions along the route through a JPA and public-private partnerships. The HSR is being developed by a state agency (We've all experienced the DMV and CAl-Trans! I rest my case on that topic.)

FUNDING MECHANISMS
The OLDA Mag-Lev has already attracted over one and a half million dollars in private investment for the initial studies and computer models. There is one Executive Director, and some part-time contract staff, as well as significant commitment form agency directors, the Councilmembers that serve on the Board. Private investment bankers have expressed extreme interest in the projected 19 billion dollar investment for the actual construction of the system.

The HSR derives its funding from the state government. They already allocated about 14 million dollars towards it. They have a bunch of well paid professional staffers, and have developed some slick presentation materials, which were unveiled at the regional meetings during early April. The state even sprung for beverages and cookies at the meeting. They are counting on the passage by the voters of the massive bond measures for this to be built.

MOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Electric trolleys have been using unsightly overhead wires with an overhead trolley rod for a hundred years. The HSR is electric too, and will use a similar overhead cable, and a catanary to get power. HSR will use steel wheels on rails, subject to mitigation and maintenance for noise, vibration, friction, and wear and tear. The video of the recent record run was great, as it demonstrated how noisy it is, accompanied by "a spectacular shower of sparks". I would prefer my transportation system not require a fire truck following it, like the fireman on the old ember belching steam steam engines, thank you!

The Mag-Lev has internal batteries to power the levitiating magnets, recharged by inductive coupling as it moves down the track. The linear accellerator motor is actually a series of windings on the underside of the guideway, with electricity pulsing through it. There is no physical contact with the guideway, and the cars ride 10MM above the guideway, and the skirt wraps the guideway. Unlike traction trains, it cannot derail. The noise is a low hum, like a transformer, as it passes by, along with the woosh of air.

ENVIRONMENTAL DIFFERENCES
HSR, as noted, is very loud and noisy, which must be mitigated. It is a traction system, which is limited to about a 4% grade, and needs wide sweeping curves to negotiate turns at high speed and not derail.

Mag-Lev is quiet, to the point we almost missed its approach overhead when we went to Shanghai to investigae it. It using magnetic pulse propulsion, and can climb grades in excess of 10%, and make much tighter banked curves, as ther skirt wraps the guideway, and is immpossible to derail.

LINKS

For more on the Mag-Lev experience, see my page on the Shanghai delegation.

California High Speed Rail

Orangeline High Speed Mag-Lev