Developed in 1969 with advanced maglev technology, the Transrapid train system could not be successful in Germany for many reasons, including the accident that killed 23 people like a drop of water.
Transrapid is a German high-speed monorail system that uses maglev technology to hover and move forward. The name Transrapid is derived from the combination of the words transport and rapid, emphasizing the fast and efficient transport that the system is meant for.
The Transrapid 09 maglev at the Emsland test facility in Lower Saxony, Germany. (Image: Wikimedia).
Using strong electromagnets, Transrapid’s magnetic levitation technology allows the train to hover over the tracks, reduce friction, and travel at very high speeds, which can reach over 500km/h in some cases.
The first prototypes for the Transrapid system began to be developed in 1969. By 1987, a test facility was established in Emsland, Germany. In 1988, experts planned to build a network of maglev rails in Germany, starting with the Hamburg – Hanover route. In 1991, the Deutsche Bundesbahn, in cooperation with a number of well-known universities, announced that the system was technically ready.
In 2002, the system entered commercial service for the first time with the Shanghai Maglev Train, which runs on Shanghai’s rapid transit network about 30.5 km to Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
However, there were no long-distance intercity routes using the Transrapid system at the time. Transrapid International, a joint venture between Siemens and ThyssenKrupp, is responsible for the development and marketing of the system.
In Germany, in 2011, the Emsland test route (the first version of Transrapid) was closed when the operating license expired. The demolition and conversion of the entire Emsland site, including the factory, was approved in early 2012. In September 2017, some comments suggested using the final version of Transrapid, Transrapid 09, space for the conference and museum at the Fleischwarenfabrik Kemper site.
Transrapid SMT train in Shanghai. (Photo: Kallerna/Wikimedia).
The Transrapid system achieves hovering using powerful electromagnets in both the train and the track. When flowing through the magnets, the current creates a magnetic field that lifts the train above the rails, maintaining a distance of approximately 10 mm.
To move forward, Transrapid uses a linear motor, an electric motor that produces linear motion instead of rotation like traditional electric motors. The stator (stationary part) of the linear motor is mounted along the rails, while the rotor (moving part) is attached to the train. When current is applied to the stator, it creates a moving magnetic field that interacts with the magnets on the train, pushing or pulling the train along the track. This helps the ship achieve high speed, smooth acceleration and deceleration.
Transrapid also uses a sophisticated control system to ensure safety and efficiency. Sensors monitor the ship’s position, speed and other stats in real time, adjusting the power supply to the electromagnet and linear motor as needed. As a result, the train maintains a stable distance from the track, controlling acceleration, deceleration and cruise speed, ensuring a smooth ride.
Transrapid achieved some achievements such as exporting to China and Australia. But in Germany and Europe, the system never really worked. Despite the obvious advantages of maglev technology, Transrapid still faces many challenges that limit its success, ultimately leading to its decline.
The first barrier is the high cost of infrastructure development and construction , mainly due to the special requirements of maglev technology, such as dedicated rails and complex control systems. High costs make it difficult to raise capital for new projects, both domestically and internationally.
Political issues are also a barrier to success for Transrapid. In Germany, the project faced opposition from various interest groups, environmental concerns and issues related to land acquisition. Difficulties and delays in decision-making also hinder the implementation of the system.
Competition from traditional high-speed rail systems such as Germany’s ICE and France’s TGV also affects the adoption of Transrapid. These systems offer comparable speed and efficiency, while construction and maintenance costs are typically lower. As a result, they become a more attractive option for investors and authorities.
In addition, residents living near train lines are also concerned about noise and vibration . While reducing the noise caused by wheel contact with the track, the maglev technology still generates noise due to the aerodynamic effect at high speed.
Transrapid 06 at the Deutsches Museum Bonn. (Photo: Rainer Zenz/Wikimedia)
Accidents also contributed to Transrapid’s failure. Normally, two maglev trains cannot collide because two trains on the same track will have to go in the same direction at the same speed. However, on September 22, 2006, the Transrapid train on a test track in Lathen, Germany, crashed into a maintenance vehicle on the tracks. Emergency braking helps the train to decelerate from 450 km/h to 162 km/h. However, there were 34 people on board and that still wasn’t slow enough.
The collision destroyed the front part of the train, knocked the maintenance vehicle off the tracks, flipped twice, and then fell. This was the first serious accident involving the Transrapid, leaving 23 people dead and several seriously injured. The accident was caused by human error because the train was allowed to leave the station before the maintenance vehicle cleared the tracks.
Another incident occurred on August 11, 2006, when a Transrapid train operating on the Shanghai Maglev Line caught fire. Shanghai firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze. Reports suggest that the battery on board may have been the cause of the fire.
Finally, the global financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the economic recession that followed made it more difficult to raise capital for Transrapid’s new projects. At this stage, investors and authorities are more cautious about investing in expensive infrastructure projects, reducing Transrapid’s expansion prospects.