Magnetic Levitation

Magnetic levitation as a means of transportation is not without its problems. For example, initial plans call for the construction of MAGLEV tracks in the United States adjacent to the nation's interstate highway system. But passengers traveling in a 250-mile-per-hour MAGLEV train will feel much stronger gravitational forces in rounding an interstate curve than will passengers in a car moving at 65 mi (105 km) per hour. Also, initial tests suggest that MAGLEV vehicles may produce a high level of noise when they operate at top speed. Tests have shown that sound levels of 100 decibels at a distance of 80 ft (24 m) from the guideway may be possible. Such levels of sound are, however, unacceptably high for any inhabited area.