Summary
Germany has given its first license for a public magnetic levitation (maglev) train system, marking a major milestone in European transportation. This approval allows the Transport System Bögl (TSB) to potentially become Europe's first public maglev service, focusing on urban travel.
Key Facts
- Germany's Federal Railway Authority issued its first license for a public maglev train to TSB Betriebs.
- TSB is a driverless maglev train designed for urban use with speeds up to 150 km/h (93 mph).
- The system operates using a 750 V DC third rail and places the key stator component on the train, not the track.
- TSB trains are built in modules, can handle steep slopes and tight curves, and each module can carry up to 127 passengers.
- A test track in Germany and a demo line in China have shown the system's potential, setting speed records for low-speed maglev trains.
- Projects are proposed for German cities like Munich and Berlin, though no public lines are built yet.
- The license might help spur further maglev technology efforts across Europe as part of sustainable transport strategies.
