Aim: The aim of our project is to solve all technological and functional problems related to the development of the suspended urban Maglev, while maintaining the requirement of simplicity and low cost of construction, operation and maintenance. Both the infrastructure and the vehicle are designed to be industrially produced and assembled on site.

Methods of the studies: Our study is based on the theoretical and experimental results obtained during a project of the Italian National Research Council, concerning the performances of opposing permanent magnets, the design of the linear synchronous motor and the possible solutions for realizing the guidance system. On the basis of these results the study of the suspended system was carried out.

Results: The paper describes the suspended urban Maglev with PM/PM primary suspension (with opposing permanent magnets) and proposes a mechanical guidance system that uses for stabilization the same repulsive forces between permanent magnets. We also propose a new configuration with HTS/PM primary suspension (with high temperature superconductors opposed to permanent magnets), evaluating pros and cons of this solution. Finally we provide design data on the linear synchronous motor suitable for our system.

Conclusion: This paper describes our proposal for a suspended urban Maglev using permanent magnets; our interest focuses on the need to further develop industrially feasible solutions, easy to build and manage, in order to propose a system that is also commercially viable and competitive. The identified advantages justify further studies.