The Transrapid is often labeled as one of Germany's "white elephants": an ambitious project that continues to attract attention, but rarely in a positive sense.
De petition in support of this magnetic levitation train, which was started in March this year, has now well exceeded the 50.000 signature mark. German Transport Minister Dr. Volker Wissing can no longer ignore the increasing demand for research into using the Transrapid. Proponents indicate that this maglev train, developed for long-distance transport, offers a promising solution to the overcrowded German railway network and the problems of delayed and canceled trains.
attention
The Transrapid was developed thirty years ago and is a collaborative project between the German giants Siemens, ThyssenKrupp and the German railways. Once again, the proponents look at the advantages of the Transrapid, which are not only technically impressive, but also of great policy importance. The German railway network is experiencing significant capacity problems. According to the petitioners, the Transrapid can help solve these problems. The train is designed to reach speeds of 400 to 500 km/h and has no rolling resistance, resulting in significantly lower energy requirements compared to ICE trains. Additionally, the Transrapid's propulsion components are built into the track body, making the vehicle itself lighter. This leads to energy consumption that is 30 to 40% lower per seat at comparable speeds.
The operational benefits of the Transrapid are also significant. The maglev train can handle slopes of up to 10%, while the ICE reaches its limit at 3-4%. This means less need for tunnels and more efficient construction of routes. In addition, the Transrapid takes up less space, both when installed on elevated pillars and when installed at ground level. This makes it easier to fit the train into the existing infrastructure and landscapes, without cutting through them. Farmers can continue to cultivate their fields and wildlife can pass safely without the hindrance of railway crossings.
At lower speeds, below 250 km/h, the electricity costs are significantly lower than for a normal train. From 250 to 350 km/h, the energy consumption of the maglev is more favorable, but at speeds above 550 km/h, power consumption increases significantly due to increasing air resistance.
In 1994, the Kohl government passed the “Transrapid Planning Act”, which was to kick off the construction of the first commercial railway line between Hamburg and Berlin. This line would run over a distance of three hundred kilometers, largely through the plains of northern East Germany. With the Transrapid, the distance from Hamburg to Berlin could be covered in less than an hour, which would be a huge improvement for long-distance transport in Germany.
Costs
However, the plans for the Hamburg-Berlin route encountered several obstacles. First of all, costs were higher than expected. In addition, there were doubts about the expected profitability of the project. But the biggest obstacle turned out to be the protest of citizens, who opposed the construction of a ribbon of concrete high-rise buildings through their region. Ultimately, the Schröder government decided in 2000 to cancel the plan to build the Hamburg-Berlin Transrapid line, putting an end to the German dream of its own maglev train.
The future of the Transrapid therefore seemed uncertain, until China presented itself as a savior. In China they saw potential in the German maglev train and gave the green light for the construction of a Transrapid line in Shanghai. Since 2002, the Transrapid has been whizzing between Pudong International Airport and the Lujiazui Financial District, a distance of 35 kilometers that is covered in just eight minutes. This successful implementation in China has shown that the technology works and has revived international interest in the Transrapid.
Although the project never got off the ground in Germany, the Transrapid in Shanghai proved that the technology is practical and feasible. This maglev train has since transported millions of passengers safely and quickly, making it an interesting example for other countries struggling with overcrowded rail networks and the need for more sustainable transport.
not unnoticed
In the meantime, the advantages of the Transrapid are not going unnoticed. Its impressive performance in terms of speed, energy efficiency and environmental friendliness has attracted the attention of policy makers and the public. At a time when sustainability and efficiency are becoming increasingly important, the Transrapid offers a valuable alternative to traditional transportation methods.
With the renewed attention for the Transrapid in Germany, the discussion about the need for investments in innovative infrastructure is also back on the agenda. The pressure on the current railway network continues to increase, with all the associated problems of delays and cancellations. The Transrapid's technology can provide a solution to these problems and at the same time contribute to a more sustainable transport policy.
The support for the petition to reconsider the Transrapid shows that there is broad support for this technology. The success in Shanghai serves as inspiration and proves that with the right investments and planning, Transrapid can also play a role in modernizing transport in Germany.
