Project Need

The need for the Maglev Deployment Program has been differentiated into three primary groups:

1. Legislative Need


2. Operational Need


3. Regional Need

Legislative Need

The legislative need is established by TEA 21 and requires that a project must:

1. Be a deployment project employing magnetic levitation


2. Meet design and performance criteria


3. Meet regional and local MPO planning requirements


4. Adhere to available funding


5. Provide a high-speed transportation mode

Operational Need

As identified in the legislation established for the Maglev Deployment Program, certain operational criteria must be met in order to successfully demonstrate the Maglev technology:

1. The project must meet the criteria established by TEA 21, which includes the ability to safely meet the speed requirements of 240 mph while providing passenger comfort and safety.

a. Minimum distance requirements between stops of approximately 12 miles in order to meet the speed and comfort requirements.



b. Technology specifications for horizontal and vertical curve requirements; spirals and tangents; and acceleration and deceleration rates.

Regional Needs

The project must be consistent and compliment local and regional goals and objectives. These include:

1. Promote economic development


2. Reduce congestion and the need for additional highways and expansion of airports


3. Increase mobility and intermodal connectivity thereby enhancing existing transportation facilities


4. Improve regional air quality


5. Reduce energy consumption


6. Increase safety of the traveling public


7. Support comprehensive land use planning