Maglev test line for Atlanta?
Moderated by Tom Sabulis
One of our guest opinion columnists has an out-of-the-box idea for a transportation experiment in the city – a maglev line running from MARTA’s Arts Center station to the Atlantic Station area. What do you think?
Commenting is open below.
By Dave Henson
After the failure of the metro Atlanta transportation referendum last year, Gov. Nathan Deal said it “slams the door on further expansion of our rail network any time soon.” Despite this understandable sentiment, I think commuter rail can get back on track.
It’s important to remember that the governor supported the referendum to the end, nobly going down with the rickety ship he inherited. The business community was grateful for his support, but other pro-transit groups undercut him by loudly opposing the plan. I believe a business-backed rail initiative could still pique Deal’s interest.
In addition to benefiting the business community, new rail would have to serve a large number of potential riders and come with a low price tag. All of the above can be had with a demonstration line from the MARTA Arts Center Station to the state-owned property at 17th Street and Northside Drive, which is being eyed for future Amtrak and Greyhound stations.
The rail line — state-operated, by the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority — could form the spine of a “transportation innovation zone” in the progressive, up-and-coming West Midtown/“Westoma” (west of Midtown Atlanta) area. Many cutting-edge startup companies are based here, and AT&T is scouting the vicinity for one of its acclaimed Foundry innovation centers. Ridership would not be a problem.
As for low cost, the answer might lie with American Maglev Technologies, a Marietta company that builds magnetic levitation (maglev) transit propulsion systems. Maglev vehicles travel on a magnetic field, about a centimeter above elevated guideway rails, and are propelled by small onboard, electronic, emission-free engines. Unlike those found in conventional maglev systems, American Maglev’s guideways have no moving parts and require only a 5-foot-wide footprint.
Based on American Maglev’s per-mile projections, building the 1.2-mile demonstration line would cost $30 million to $35 million, a relatively low amount compared to other rail options. Currently, the company is bidding for commuter projects in Colorado and Florida. Seeing futuristic maglev trains streaking across the Downtown Connector could make a grand impression here as well.
Although maglev transit systems aren’t eligible for federal construction funding, they are covered under the recently passed “America Fast Forward Financing Innovation Act,” which offers a federally backed, low-interest loan program and a unique bond program that provides annual tax credits to bond investors in lieu of transportation agency interest payments.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed seems to have a fairly amicable relationship with President Barack Obama and might just have a shooter’s chance at landing one of those America Fast Forward loans or bonds for the maglev project.
It would be a win for the business community, and a win for Gov. Deal.
Dave Henson is a digital marketing executive and founder of Georgia Policy Solutions.
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37 comments Add your comment
Jenn
March 5th, 2013
2:04 pm
NOW WE’RE TALKING!!!
Common Sense
March 5th, 2013
2:23 pm
“Based on American Maglev’s per-mile projections, building the 1.2-mile demonstration line would cost $30 million to $35 million, a relatively low amount compared to other rail options.”
Hard to believe we have not given it the go ahead! What a bargain!
Common Sense
March 5th, 2013
2:26 pm
That’s $5,524 per foot, btw.
Pete
March 5th, 2013
2:42 pm
“building the 1.2-mile demonstration line would cost $30 million to $35 million”…now factor in cost overruns, environment impact statements, lawsuits etc and closer to 90 – to 105 million.
Thanks but no thanks
tammy
March 5th, 2013
2:44 pm
What about building a simple people mover type system like the airport has? Tried and true and not that much $$$.
Urban Lick
March 5th, 2013
3:01 pm
Big city transit cost money and this is less than light or heavy rail. Go live on a farm in the country with your dirt roads and lack of employment.
SAWB
March 5th, 2013
3:05 pm
Regardless of what technology we choose right of way must be acquired for the project, so that is a fixed cost. However, instead of developing Maglev, light rail, heavy rail, etc. we just simply pave it and run electric shuttle buses. This would seem an effective way to move people on the much needed spur routes like the one described here or the Lindbergh to Emory project.
melshop
March 5th, 2013
3:06 pm
Always liked the Maglev idea, but what Atlanta really needs is a commuter rail system (either Marta or tied to the Marta line in some way to access all of Atlanta) going up the west side of town, Marietta, Acworth, Cartersville..maybe a spur off to Douglasville and Hiram, maybe a stop at Six Flags. There are tons of people who live up this way and work in Atlanta..I think it would be a great money generator.
Shamehia
March 5th, 2013
3:09 pm
You knew it would be just a matter of time until the policy wonks started in with new “ideas” to end run the TSPLAT no vote. Here it is.
MANGLER
March 5th, 2013
3:12 pm
As much as people who already balk at such things would balk even more about such things with a certain level of “style” or creativity to them, in order to get the private sector involved in these projects, ideas like this need to be seen and heard as well. “Hey Bill, you know if we hold the convention in Atlanta they have that neat floating train downtown – and we can all ride their train from the airport to the hotel unlike Orlando where we’d need to charter buses for the whole company”.
Besides, Shanghai has a maglev train that goes 300 mph for 50 miles. Think we can build one that travels 1 mile? At least with this idea the proposed line would connect to a location people actually go, Atlantic Station and Midtown, as compared to the trolley which goes from a fountain to a park and misses everything in between.
Dumb and Dumber
March 5th, 2013
3:46 pm
I’m thinking that we could just rent out jet packs at the Arts Center Station to fly to Ikea.
Won’t need to buy the right-of-way. The state is never going to build a multi-modal station on their 17th Street property anyway.
Let’s face it — we have all of the transit options this town will ever have. Sad state of affairs.
Robert
March 5th, 2013
3:56 pm
The biggest problem with “public” transportation is that anyone can use it, including homeless bums and criminals.
Robert
March 5th, 2013
3:59 pm
There’s no need to go 300mph for a 1.2 mile line. Get real. I’ve ridden the Shanghai Maglev…paid for by the government of China but mostly a tourist-attraction demonstration of Chinese capability.
An express trolley service already runs from the Midtown MARTA station to Atlantic Station. What’s the problem with that?
dc
March 5th, 2013
4:21 pm
always love the statement “Ridership would not be a problem” with no data to back it up. Sure, let’s spend $50Mil + based on that.
ATL Backwards
March 5th, 2013
4:44 pm
Charlotte is expanding rail service to UNCC and Atlanta’s haters can’t even fathom a ONE mile test line. Atlanta Backwards
trolleyfolly
March 5th, 2013
5:07 pm
30 to 50 million Gee only a third of the cost of the Edgewood Avenue trolley presently underway. Another wise choice of our politicians when given the opportunity to improve mass transit in Atlanta
Joy
March 5th, 2013
6:30 pm
The South will always be the South: Narrow minded, backwards and behind.
DeborahinAthens
March 5th, 2013
7:30 pm
Dream big. Why not a maglev from the Atlanta airport from Athens?
Retired Vet
March 5th, 2013
7:51 pm
Would you prefer to fly on a private airline with terrorists armed with box cutters? Stop generalizing.
Retired Vet
March 5th, 2013
7:56 pm
@Robert
March 5th, 2013
3:56 pm
Would you prefer to fly on a private airline with terrorists armed with box cutters? Stop generalizing
Jackson
March 5th, 2013
10:26 pm
Yes just to Northside Dr but it is a test. If it passes then to Cobb and Chattanooga.
Bernie
March 5th, 2013
11:06 pm
The idea is good, but one must ask, is it practical and cost efficient? The Initial investment it seems, would take at least 10-20 years to recover and provide a profit worth the risk. Besides the inital suggested path, is too small for the amount of money risked.
Consider this Option..Why should the City Of Atlanta or The State Of Georgia invest in such a system and start from scratch its entire infrastucture? When we already have in place a ready made infrastructure of EXISTING and CURRENTLY UNUSED RAILWAY SYSTEM that runs for miles in every direction across the State Of Georgia and into ALL of the surrounding STATES? FL,SC,AL, TN, All coming together in a central location Near CNN and the Richard Russell Building in Downtown Atlanta.
A sizable Investment into this exisiting railway system, would be a far better investment economically for the City & STATE in expanding and attracting more small Businesses, Corporations and their Headquarters, Manufactoring, Technology, Automotive, Supply chain operations, providing an unlimited supply of New opportunites and JOBS of every income level imaginable for years to come. Tourism growth of 500% or more and a much needed TRANSPORTATION ASSET that could not be matched in the entire Southeast.
This very system could easily be switched and converted to accomodate a BULLET TRAIN system rivaling those of CHINA ,JAPAN and FRANCE. Imagine going from Atlanta to Savannah in 1.5 hours or less OR to Chattanooga,even Birimingham in 45-50 minutes. Atlanta to Jacksonville in 2.50 hours.
We have this opportunity in HAND now! All we need are Leaders, who are willing to Make it Happen!
Sadly, they have yet to be BORN!
Wishing for Milton County
March 6th, 2013
12:22 am
Maglev to Atlantic Station – WHY????? What will that acomplish. $30 – $35 million is taxpayer money, plus interest… Ridership will be how many??? Oh, yeah that $TUDY has not been done yet. So add a $1 million. Then add the cost of staff, maintanence, agency to run it, cost to run it….. It all adds up to another boondoggle (see Atlanta Trolley Car). So $93 million to build the trolleys that go to nowhere (sorry Kng Center – where the King family gets $1 million per year). $35 million for Maglev that goes to nowhere (oh forgot Atlantic Station – where a $3 beer costs $10). Only $128 million so far and we have not even started to build (cost overruns), staff (make work), run (into the ground) or maintain (not) these things!!!
Finally the politicians want to build the INTERMODEL TERMINAL somewhere downtown. So we can run empty commuter trains from Athens to Atlanta. GREAT!!!! FORWARD THINKING!!! THINK OF ALL THE GRAFT!!!! (oophs should nt have said that). Yet another TEST for how many hundreds of millions of dollars.
Taxpayers are tired of these “TEST” projects that THEY have to pay for, maintain, staff, and get no appreciable benefit from. What could metro Atlanta really do with 1/4 of a billion dollars or more!
Oh wait, we would have to retire all the politicians we now have (with pensions) and get rid of most of the city, county & state employees as well (with their pensions) to have a chance at a clean start.
THERE GOES ALL THE MONEY!!!
OH WELL!!! – WE JUST SADDLE OUR KIDS & GRANDKIDS WITH ALL THESE COSTS!!! WHY SHOULD WE WORRY – OUR POLITICIANS DON”T. AND THEY REPRESENT THE PEOPLE!
Think about that – TAXPAYER!
Bernie
March 6th, 2013
12:39 am
Wishing for Milton County @ 12:22 am – My firend, you overlooked the millions that must be paid to the CASCADE RD MAFIA! You know all of the current and prevous office holders of Atlanta City Hall.
We cannot do anything without first insuring the greasing of their palms! or their many friends or family members or business associates. Its the Southern thing to do!
PATSy
March 6th, 2013
7:59 am
Why put a huge train that can go 300 mph on a 1.2 mile track where it cant even begin to get up to the speed where it is practical or economical?? Operation costs will be enormous and use will be minimal. Put in a 1.2mile walking trail.and pay people $10 to walk.Saves money and is a lot more healthy.
Jackson
March 6th, 2013
8:03 am
It’s not the 300 mph variety. Those are much more expensive.
Everitt
March 6th, 2013
9:15 am
Our Federal Government has issued warnings of an EMP attack…………………….so until there is no risk of that happening why waste money on something that would be worthless.
Invest in the people of GA, not special interests like developers!!!!
We are sick of develope in GA politics.
The Last Democrat in Georgia
March 6th, 2013
9:18 am
{{”I believe a business-backed rail initiative could still pique Deal’s interest.”}}
A business-backed rail initiative could potentially pique Deal’s interest AFTER he clears the GOP Primary and the General Election and gets re-elected to a second-term.
The fervently anti-rail and anti-transit Tea Party and ultraconservative far-right flank of the Georgia GOP that Deal must clear to be assured of re-election to a second-term wants nothing to do with passenger rail and would be highly-upset at any talk by Deal of expanding the state’s inadequate passenger rail network to the point of wanting to issue to him a very-stiff political challenge in the upcoming 2014 GOP Primary in which Deal currently has no challengers.
Any talk by Deal of wanting to expand transit in any form would have to come no earlier than very-late 2014 so as to avoid raising the ire of a very-volatile, highly-motivated, very-active and very-hardcore anti-transit Georgia Tea Party contingent.
Bryan -- MARTA Supporter
March 6th, 2013
9:26 am
I think sometype of rail would be great. I don’t know too much about the MagLev but something like that or a short streetcar line or something similar to the airport train would be great to connect MARTA rail, Atlantic Station, the possible future Amtrak/Greyhound station, and even link it to Midtown West (Howell Mill and 14th and then Brady and 10th). More people are receptive to rail transit versus bus transit. This could even continue the explosive growth in Midtown West and Atlantic Station and could even prompt growth near 17th and Northside. Can’t say I’m for the MagLev but definitely for some type of rail connection through that cooridor.
Road Scholar
March 6th, 2013
10:18 am
Why? The distance is so short with a sharp turn from the Arts Center station to align with the bridge. Besides the bridge and all metal near the MAGLEV will have to be grounded due to the use of direct current.
Why? Since the 17th Street bridge’s north side was designed to accept a light rail connection in the future? The same light rail that is proposed to be extended out to Cobb County?
Why? Since this new location of a “temporary” Amtrak station is also a part of the dream to move the MMPT to AS!
l
March 6th, 2013
10:19 am
I do not see any sense in 35 million for a 1.2 mile track
What would make sense would be MagLev wind turbines. This would generate millions in revenue using the wind[the endlessly renewable source of clean energy]. The unique aerodynamic design captures the kinetic energy of all the wind passing thruough the area. The design uses both lift and drag for power. More 210KW MagLevs can be packed into a small area than conventional turbines.
Magnetic levitation allows the turbine to spin freely. No magnetic linkages to wear out. Finally, because of the levitation they can be used at lower altitudes.
Cheap energy to power industry is Georgias future.
zeke
March 6th, 2013
10:45 am
You mean TAXPAYER SUBSIDIZED LOANS OR GRANTS BECAUSE NONE OF THESE MASS TRANSIT PROJECTS IS ECONOMICALLY VIABLE?
AI
March 6th, 2013
11:40 am
Great idea. A small investment spurring meaningful new business developments. Future property and sales taxes from these new businesses makes the investment obviously economical viable.
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March 6th, 2013
2:22 pm
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Atlantaphotog
March 6th, 2013
2:26 pm
American Maglev already has a test line in Powder Springs on their private facility grounds which they use to show prospective clients (the public is not allowed). Maglev is not a short distance style of rail… street cars are short distance, or people mover rail (such as at the airport). MARTA would be an example of longer distance rail, and commuter rail for even longer. Maglev is designed for long distances and high rates of speed… to replace shorter plane trips as an example. It would be completely impractical for such a system on such a short run.
Jackson
March 6th, 2013
3:25 pm
I think “test line” is lost on people. It would be a short (CONSERVATIVE) run to test technology, ridership, etc, before extending to Cobb.
Matt321
March 7th, 2013
12:48 pm
I just wanted to applaud Bernie’s comment on March 5th, 2013, 11:06 pm. Said everything that needs to be said. We have existing rail infrastructure we can use right now. Why introduce a whole new system that doesn’t even have prospects of connecting to any other systems?
Atlanta was first and foremost a railroad town – a Terminus. A lot of the rail’s still there. Let’s use it.