3 ms·
Ah! Note that the pods are far lighter than trains, being more like a lightweight aircraft. This would reduce the effect considerably.
by 6ren 13y ago
Ah! Note that the pods are far lighter than trains, being more like a lightweight aircraft. This would reduce the effect considerably.
- Anechoic 13y agoVibration from trains is proportional to the unsprung weight of the vehicle (basically the axle, wheels and traction motors) rather than the vibration of the whole vehicle (which is isolated by the primary and secondary train suspensions). For a heavy rail transit vehicle (NYC transit, MBTA Red Line, CTA vehicle, etc), you're talking about 2,700 kg. I don't have numbers handy for HSR trainsets.
- 6ren 13y agoThe air cushion isolates the entire vehicle... perhaps making the "unsprung" weight 0?
- Anechoic 13y agoNo. That would only be true if the vehicle was buoyant.
- jholman 13y agoThe plan uses an air bearing partly because an air bearing is exceptionally stiff. It's not like a hovercraft, with all that ability to squoosh up and down. So the unsprung weight might be the weight of the entire vehicle. edit: though, mind you, the whole capsule also has mechanical suspension