Specifically for long-distance travel, which train is more efficient? What about environmentally friendly? Why?

Our project is about the comparison between magnetic trains that can levitate and fuel-burning passenger trains.

A regular, diesel-powered passenger train operates through a combination of an electric generator and a diesel engine. Diesel engines ignite diesel fuel and compressed air on fire to power electric generators. These generators in turn make the train move. This burning of fossil fuels pollutes our atmosphere and adds to global warming. Additionally, the speeds of these diesel locomotives can reach up to 238 kilometers per hour (148mph). As of today, 37% of all locomotives around the world run on diesel. The lifespan of one locomotive ranges from 30-50 years if the engine is not replaced. Each train costs around $3 million.

Magnetic levitating trains are floating vehicles that use electromagnetic attraction or repulsion. The basic principles of magnets replace the old steel wheels and tracks. The tracks are electrified, creating magnetic fields that effectively pull the train forward from the front and simultaneously push it forward from behind. This innovative design features magnets with north poles facing out on the front corners and magnets with south poles outward on the back corners, resulting in a floating experience that ensures a consistently smooth ride.
This also explains the near-impossible chance of these trains derailing. The maglev train has a top speed of 603 km/h (375 mph). Unlike the passenger trains, these modern trains are much more rare for commercial use. Only six maglev trains are operating open for the public across the globe. These trains have no specific lifespan and although it can cost up to $30 million to construct these systems, the operating costs are much lower than the diesel passenger trains.

This graph compares the CO2 emissions of the maglev (Transrapid) train, InterCity Express (ICE) train, cars and small planes at a speed of 300 km/hr for the ICE and 400 km/hr for everything else. It is shown that maglev trains have considerably less emissions than all other vehicles at the same speed. This shows how environmentally friendly these trains are.

Noise pollution does have adverse effect on people living in that environment and can destroy any local ecosystem. 

Maglevs create minimal to no noise as they do not have friction with the tracks. 

This graph shows that the noise pollution of the Transrapid train, or maglev, is significantly less than every other vehicle. This further proves the point of less impacts on the outside world.

Speed:

 Maglev Train = 403 km/h

 Wheel Train = 110 km/h

This graph displays the difference in average speeds that each train type is able to reach. Maglev trains are able to go 307 km/hour faster on average but can still reach even higher speeds up to 603 km/hr.

Maglev trains are nearly impossible to derail and their safety has been guaranteed through the many systems installed into these trains including the collision avoidance system, the Safety Controls System (SCS) and the multiple braking systems. The SCS is a fail-safe system that controls the train.It avoids hazards like train-to-train collisions, over-speeding, movements to a work zone or movements through a switch in an improper position.  

This technological upgrade can raise the railway safety across North America. In U.S. alone, there were 8,363 railway accidents in 2021. If maglevs replace these trains, this could have been prevented. This proves the safety of maglev over the regular train.

As more factories and fossil fuels are being burnt the world is slowly dying. Gas trains are one of the most used vehicle to transport big amounts of cargo as well as people over long distances. As more and more gas is being burnt more CO2 rises into our atmosphere. This warms the planet and causes climate change. But maglev trains do not produce carbon emissions.  Our research shows that maglev trains are also more efficient than diesel trains when it comes to speed as shown through our graph. Since passenger trains have a higher chance of crashing, maglev trains are safer as well. Our hypothesis is correct in every aspect except the cost but even though they are expensive to make, they are better to maintain.

• https://www.up.com/customers/track-record/tr030822-12-train-facts-you-might-not-know.htm 
• https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-and-current-affairs/story/maglev-know-some-important-facts-about-the-fastest-train-of-the-world-249863-2015-04-23
• https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/carbon-dioxide/  #:~:text=Key%20Takeaway%3A,in%20less%20than%20200%20years

https://maglevinnovation.weebly.com/social-and-environmental-benefits.html/\

We acknowledge our parents, siblings and Mr.Rip (science fair teacher).