Swissmetro

Swissmetro network (proposition 2005)

Swissmetro was a futuristic Swiss national transportation project using vactrain technology that went into liquidation in November 2009 because of a lack of support. Based on high-speed maglev trains travelling in low-pressure tunnels (approximately 100 millibar)[1] the speeds would have been about 500 kilometres per hour.

Such trains would significantly lower the travel time between major cities in Switzerland. For example, the time between Bern and Zurich could be reduced from the present 60 minutes by intercity train to a mere 12 minutes.[2]

Although conclusive simulation tests have been done by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL),[3] the project is not likely to be restarted in the near future. Reports differed on the question of economic viability.[4]

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ Promise and Peril by Tim De Chant Tue, 13 Aug 2013, Nova Next
  2. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7M3EOD_GzE
  3. ↑ http://www.swissmetro.ch/sites/default/files/downloads/studien_schlussbericht_de.pdf
  4. ↑ http://www.swissmetro.ch/en/content/history
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