With increasing urbanization worldwide, passenger demand for inter-urban travel has grown and the development of new transport technologies is needed, such as High-Speed Rail (HSR), Magnetic Levitation (Maglev), and Hyperloop. Three main forms of HSGT – HSR, Maglev, and Hyperloop – have attracted much attention from operators and decision-makers worldwide. Governments, too, have acknowledged the benefits. 

SECOND.

Magnetic levitation (Maglev) technology is an emerging transportation system that is guided and ground-based. It consists of a vehicle being lifted and propelled along a guideway. Maglev trains move more smoothly and quietly, with less friction than wheeled mass transit systems. Only a small percentage of the overall energy consumption is needed for levitation, and most goes towards overcoming air resistance. The vehicle levitation in Maglev is kept at a constant distance of 10 mm from its guideway by an electronic control system. The Maglev system is now operational across South Korea, Japan, and China, with a total length of 73.3 km. 

FINALLY.

Hyperloop consists of capsules travelling through a frictionless vacuum tube at high speed, floating on a cushion of air created by air compressors and LIMs. This technology is still in its early stages, yet it is drawing the attention of academia, engineers, and supporters, as there is obvious uncertainty about whether it will perform. In terms of ground transportation systems, Hyperloop represents a vision of travelling faster than an airplane at a fraction of the cost to become the next achievement in transport. The Hyperloop aims to improve current systems, including rail, air, water, and road transport, and to travel at a top speed of 1,200 km/h and an average speed of 600 to 966 km/h yet be as accessible and convenient as a train.



Saudi Arabia aims to achieve the principles of sustainable development goals (SDG) in all aspects of life in accordance with its ambitious vision 2030, especially in the field of sustainable passengers and freight transportation. The future of hydrogen trains is bright in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia announced ambitious plans for leadership in the field of hydrogen. As the most promising source for achieving carbon neutrality. The country aspires to become a global supplier of hydrogen and play a leadership role in the energy and clean fuel sector in the coming decades, which is in line with Vision 2030, which aims to diversify energy sources in Saudi Arabia. To become a leader in all areas of energy, not just oil. Saudi Arabia has announced a series of hydrogen-based programs, through which it aims to make the transportation sector more sustainable, including the use of technologies based on hydrogen fuel cells for trains in accordance with the memorandums of understanding signed. It uses a configuration made up of hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, and electric traction motors. The fuel source will be hydrogen; the hydrogen-powered fuel cell unit converts a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen to generate up to 100 kilowatts of electricity, with water being the only product, which in turn feeds the batteries; to provide a constant power supply for traction motors.

Hydrogen-powered trains can achieve speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour, and manage distances of up to 1,000 kilometers without refueling, which is ten times more than battery-powered electric trains. It can also be refueled quickly in less than 20 minutes.

Dr Hamad Al Mujibah

Professor Asisstant, Taif University, 

Saoudi Arabia

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