The Linear Motor Powered Transportation Development and Application in China

The appearance of the linear motor powered transportation, including the high-speed and low-speed maglev and linear motor powered car, is a very important achievement for passenger transport for the 20th century. Since the late 1980s, China has started the maglev key technology research and development, and a high-speed demonstration line in Pudong, Shanghai, was built and put into operation successfully with the joint cooperation of China and Germany. For future long distance transport application, it is prepared to construct the 170 km long Shanghai-Hangzhou high-speed maglev line in the near future. The linear-motor car is already in operation in Guangzhou and will be used in Beijing airport line. Low-speed maglev is also considered for urban and intercity application. The present paper summarizes the development and application of the linear motor powered transportation in China.