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I don't see any reason why using maglev means the track has to be anything clever. There are methods where the vehicle contains the only active part, and the tr

by gnode 9y ago

I don't see any reason why using maglev means the track has to be anything clever. There are methods where the vehicle contains the only active part, and the track can simply be a metal strip, such as servo-levitation (varying the strength of an electromagnet on board the vehicle with feedback), induced current levitation, or by using a rotating set of fixed magnets.

lisper 9y ago
I must confess I'm not up on the details of maglev technology (which is why it's not central to my argument). I have to wonder, though, if maglev is so cheap and easy why hasn't it been deployed more already?
- gnode 9y ago
  While the cost of passive maglev track isn't huge, conventional rail networks which you'd be competing with already exist, so typically would only be justifiable for new networks. Safety is another large concern; it's easy to make a fail-deadly maglev train. While maglev trains are the fastest, safety keeps them an emerging technology.
  - lisper 9y ago
    OK... so why do you think that a maglev hyperloop will not be rendered infeasible by the exact same problems?
    - gnode 9y ago
      I don't. I just don't think the cost of the track is the significant issue. I think the main issue will be safety.
      - lisper 9y ago
        OK, then we agree. :-)
- Atheros 9y ago
  Because maglev isn't cheap. [This guy](https://www.reddit.com/r/nyc/comments/6ogwml/ny_to_dc_in_29_minutes_elon_musk_gets_goahead_for/dkjjp2a/ https://www.reddit.com/r/nyc/comments/6ogwml/ny_to_dc_in_29_...) runs the numbers of a Hyperloop in a tunnel using maglev.
  - lisper 9y ago
    That is a great link, thank you! I think it is telling that the best analysis of this issue that anyone has been able to find in this thread has been in a reddit comment.