Almost faster than a speeding bullet, a magnetic levitation (Maglev) train traveling through the German countryside at speeds up to 250 miles per hour recently whooshed 19 awe-struck leaders from the Atlanta/Chattanooga corridor.

The setting was the Emsland region, home to Transrapid International's high speed Maglev demonstration track, the only one of its kind in the world. Local leaders are hoping to bring that same technology to the Atlanta region.

The superspeed Maglev system is the first true innovation in train technology since the construction of the first railroad. The Maglev vehicle rides over a fixed guideway, supported and propelled by magnetic force alone — there is no physical contact.

With no contact and the associated friction and wear and tear on moving parts, advantages of the Maglev system include increased efficiency, quiet operation and relatively low maintenance costs. Additionally, because it has almost no emissions of any kind, this technology has minimal environmental impacts.

To encourage the deployment of this cutting-edge technology into the United States, the Federal Railroad Administration selected seven test corridors around the country, including the Atlanta/Chattanooga corridor, to determine which location would best showcase the Maglev technology. The FRA is administering grants totaling approximately $35 million among the seven study corridors, with the amount of each grant based on the project.

These federal funds will pay up to two-thirds of the cost of the feasibility study, with the remainder financed through local matches.

“With private partners, the ultimate investment to the winning region will be at least one and a half billion dollars,” according to Harry West, director of ARC. “Not only will the successful region have an unanticipated infusion of dollars in its economy, it will claim the distinction of being the first to bring this technology to the U.S. and will attract world attention.”

ARC will serve as the lead agency and grantee for the Atlanta/Chattanooga Maglev Deployment Study, working with many other partners from Chattanooga, other cities in the corridor, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The study is to be completed by June of 2000 and will include a detailed project description and a program of public/private partnership to help get this project off the ground. Further, a draft environmental assessment will be completed by Feb. 29.

At the completion of this study, FRA will determine which of the seven study corridors will have the distinction of building the first operating Maglev system in the world. The winning region will receive $1 billion to construct a 40-mile track to become operational by March 2005.

For information about the Atlanta-Chattanooga Maglev Deployment Study, visit the Web site at www.acmaglev.com <http://www.acmaglev.com/> or call ARC Maglev project coordinator, Bob McCord at 404 364-4214 or 404-463-3253 after Jan. 1.