Ten years have passed since test operations commenced at the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line, and running tests have been smoothly ongoing as scheduled. The Maglev Technology Practicality Evaluation Committee already acknowledged in March 2005 that the key technology has been established for commercial services with Superconducting Maglev system. Japanese Government approved alteration of the master plan for further development of the foregoing system in January 2007, and authorized for the extension and renewal of the current test facility. This paper introduces recent researches, as conducted at Railway Technical Research Institute for durability assessment on major components of the Superconducting Maglev System such as ground coils and superconducting magnets. In addition, we have introduced several attempts in which superconducting and linear motor technology applicable to new applications on the conventional railway system.

Copyright (c) 2007 Railway Technical Research Institute