Researchers in China have researched a solution to one of the largest issues facing magnetic levitation (maglev) trains.
Chinese engineers have developed porous buffers that fit into tunnel mouths to reduce low‑frequency shock waves by as much as 96 percent, a result that engineers said removed a major technical barrier to deploying prototype maglev vehicles capable of about 370 mph.
Why it Matters
The finding addressed the long‑standing “tunnel boom” problem, a low‑frequency piston‑like pressure that forms as very fast trains enter and exit tunnels. The waves can disturb people, wildlife and infrastructure, and they intensify as maglev speeds rise above conventional high‑speed rail limits. If confirmed in large‑scale field trials, the buffer design could ease planning and environmental objections to proposed ultra‑fast maglev corridors in China and beyond.
What To Know
Researchers tested a new mitigation that combined a roughly 100‑metre porous, sound‑absorbing buffer at tunnel portals with porous coatings on the early section of the tunnel lining.
The porous structures allowed forward‑trapped air to bleed away before the vehicle reached the portal, suppressing the release of a concentrated low‑frequency shock wave, much like the baffles in a firearm silencer. Laboratory and field tests reported peak pressure reductions of up to 96 percent.
Currently, only China, Japan, and South Korea operate commercial Maglev systems, with Beijing already running the world’s longest commercial Maglev line between Shanghai and Pudong International Airport at speeds up to 267 mph.
China plans to deploy the ultra-high-speed maglev network to connect major cities nationwide, such as Beijing and Shanghai, which could reduce travel times between cities to 90 minutes or less.
In June, China ran maglev tests that produced speeds of over 600 mph, which is faster than the speed at which commercial passenger aircraft fly.
The other major hindrance to the speed of maglev trains is air resistance, which continues to build up at higher speeds. Engineers in China are testing the use of low-vacuum tubes to remove this issue.
What People Are Saying
Li Weichao, the director of the High-speed Maglev Electromagnetic Propulsion Technology Innovation Center, Donghu Laboratory, Li Weichao, told CGTN last month in reference to the 600mph test: “This is the fastest speed in the world. It’s typical operating speed is 800 km/h. The entire construction is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and the platform will meet the conditions for acceptance.”
What Happens Next
Engineers and planners said the next steps would include large‑scale field trials on representative tunnel geometries and fuller environmental assessments to confirm real‑world performance and to evaluate maintenance, durability and cost implications of adding 100‑metre buffer installations to tunnel portals.
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