Electric Power Systems for High-Speed Ground Transportation

Electric power systems for guided vehicles with speeds above 200 mi/h were investigated. Particular attention was paid to a high-speed steel wheel-driven train which has a cruise capability of 200 mi/h. Alternate propulsion, power conditioning, and power distribution systems were evaluated, and economically acceptable solutions were highlighted. The conclusion is that 25-kV single-phase ac distribution together with a vehicle propelled with dc motors, driven by a controlled rectifier, shows most promise for the near future. AC drives could be attractive candidates in five to ten years, with 25-kV 60-Hz power distributed along the wayside. However, with ac drives, there is strong incentive to distribute power using 15-kV dc if the switching could be developed.