After two years of operation, China's first magnetic levitation
line has formally passed state examination and appraisal.
Yesterday's announcement augurs well for the proposed
construction of a line connecting Shanghai and Hangzhou.
The existing line was started in March 2001 and completed 22
months later. The 30-kilometre track connects Shanghai's Pudong
Airport with the city, and is largely based on German magnetic
levitation (maglev) technology.
Maglev trains can travel at a speed of up to 430 kilometers per
hour, whizzing passengers to their planes in less than eight
minutes.
According to the National Development and Reform Commission
(NDRC), which carried out the examination, the maglev trains had
carried 6.23 million passengers by the end of March this year, both
for transportation and sightseeing.
The cost of line was revealed to be 9.93 billion yuan (US$1.2
billion), slightly below budget.
The successful construction and operation of the Shanghai maglev
line is regarded by many as a good prelude to the construction of
175-kilometre line connecting Shanghai with Hangzhou, provincial
capital of East China's Zhejiang Province.
Technology will remain a big concern in the construction of the
new line, officials said. The Shanghai-Hangzhou maglev line will in
part use German technology, but the State Council is encouraging
engineers "to learn and absorb foreign advanced technologies while
making further innovations."
Since accomplishing the first maglev line, China has mastered
the core technology required to build maglev rail tracks, one of
four major systems supporting the advanced mode of transportation,
and gained 20 patents in the field.
"Lowering the cost of a maglev system is a significant issue in
the study and construction of the Shanghai-Hangzhou maglev railway
we are now confident we can achieve that," said Zhang Xiaoqiang,
vice-minister of the NDRC.
"Our aim is to limit the cost of each kilometer of maglev line
to approximately 200 million yuan (US$24.6 million)." This means
that the unit cost will be cut by one third.
The government also suggests the Shanghai maglev line operator
could improve its operating management and efficiency, extend
operation hours and attract more passengers.
(China Daily April 27, 2006)