Passenger Acceptance of Alignments with Frequent Curves in Maglev or Other Very-High-Speed Ground Systems

PDFTech Reporthttp://ntl.bts.gov/lib/33000/33600/33670/33670.pdfDOT-VNTSC-RR994-PM-99-1High speed ground transportationCurves (Geometry)Magnetic levitation vehiclesMagnetic levitationPassenger comfortRide qualityAcceleration (Mechanics)AlignmentMotion sicknessSimulationUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Railroad AdministrationHarding, J.Pollard, John K.Katz-Rhoads, LeonoreMengert, PeterDisario, RobertSussman, E. D.John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)United States. Federal Railroad AdministrationNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-SAFETY AND SECURITYNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Human FactorsVolpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference CenterThis study explored comfort and motion-sickness effects of Maglev travel in corridors characterized by frequent curves. A procedure was developed for estimating the propensity of a given set of ride motions to induce motion sickness, generating a number called the Motion Sickness Dosage Value (MSDV), from which the proportion of passengers who will experience nausea could be estimated. The only means of simulating trips with realistic accelerations at reasonable cost was through the use of an airplane. An experimental apparatus was constructed that simulated a Maglev system traveling through representative portions of the proposed New York State route at average speeds that ranged from 320 kph to 400 kph (200-250 mph). In two preliminary tests, participants were exposed to two intervals of flying with relatively high bank angle limits consistent with making the 277-km (172-mi) trip in approximately 38 minutes. More than half the participants began feeling queasy at these higher limits. The final experiment specified nine flights with 14 participants. Limits for bank angle were 14 deg, 21 deg, and 28 deg, while those for roll rate were 4 deg/sec, 6 deg/sec, and 8 deg/sec. Results produced no evidence that more than a small percentage of Maglev passengers would experience kinetosis on routes confined to the boundaries of existing highway rights-of-way. While the vertical accelerations experienced by participants were generally greater than those that would be experienced by Maglev passengers, the majority found the plane ride comfortable and felt no motion sickness. However, 23% felt slightly queasy at some time, 8% felt intermittently nauseous, and two passengers vomited. Cumulative dosage and duration of exposure showed significant correlation with motion-sickness ratings