Source : http :// gas2 . org of harmful substances to the atmosphere . Even if the necessary electricity is produced by coal or natural gas-fired power plants , the harmful emissions are much less compared to that from other vehicles as they have a high energy efficiency . Maglev vehicles do not need engines and they do not burn fuels . So , in contrast to the conventional vehicles , they create no direct pollution emissions .
Apart from the diminution of air pollution , which is a foremost advantage of maglev vehicles , there are several other unique environmental benefits as well . The noise pollution caused by a maglev vehicle is minimum when compared to other highway vehicles since they are very much quieter . This further emphasizes the importance of implementing maglev transportation in urban areas . The space required for the narrow elevated guideways used for maglev vehicles is very much less than that is required by highways and it can also be considered as an added advantage .
Although maglev vehicles are a better way to minimize environmental impact , the disadvantages should also be taken into account before investing . The biggest problem is the high initiation cost . Maglevs have nothing to do with an ordinary highway or a railway infrastructure , so it should either be replaced with a maglev system or a completely new system should be constructed . Both of these solutions will incur a higher amount of capital investment . But obviously , once the maglev system is implemented , the unfavourable environmental effects from the typical transportation system could be mitigated .
However , maglev vehicles remain one of the most “ green ” modes of transportation at present and the technology will continue with novel features and advancements , further reducing the harmful environmental impacts .
NIWASNA ARUNI BANDARA Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering ( Second Year )
References
1 . Weebly . ( n . d ). Social and Environmental Benefits . [ Online ]. Available at : maglevinnovation . weebly . com [ Accessed on August 28th , 2016 ] 2 . James Powell and Gordon Danby . ( 2005 ). MAGLEV - The New Mode of Transport for the 21st Century . [ Online ]. Available at : www . 21stcenturysciencetech . com [ Accessed on August 28th , 2016 ]
Source : http :// moneybiter . blogspot . com
Gauge Newsletter University of Peradeniya
35