(The United States Maglev Coalition circulated the following press release on February 5 via PRNewswire.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Maglev Coalition (USMC) announced its formation today to spur construction of high-speed intercity magnetic levitation, or Maglev, projects designed to dramatically improve travel in America. Former Bethlehem Steel executive Richard Cochran will preside over an ever-increasing group of partners to include labor, steel, concrete, engineering and technology interests. Member companies include United States Steel Corporation, General Atomics, Parsons, the Baltimore Development Corporation, Bethlehem Steel, Transrapid International- USA, Hirschfeld Steel and MAGLEV, Inc.
“Maglev is the lynchpin of future travel in America,” stated Cochran. “The convergence of excessive highway congestion, unacceptable pollution levels, and a national over-reliance on foreign oil is a compelling set of circumstances for America to finally pursue this safe, high-speed, and low maintenance mode of transportation.”
There are several active Maglev projects in the United States and throughout the world, including the recently debuted 19-mile Pudong International Airport connector in Shanghai, China. American projects include Pittsburgh, Baltimore-Washington, Las Vegas-Anaheim, the Southern California Association of Governments LA Basin network, and Atlanta-Chattanooga.
Coalition Executive Director Cochran brings 39 years of market development experience in the steel industry, and is supported in this endeavor by Wendall Hirschfeld, of Texas-based Hirschfeld Steel Fabricators. “The tremendous economic stimulus; job creation; energy, environmental and safety advantages; and, congestion mitigation that will result from building an Americanized Transrapid maglev system in the United States makes this an exciting endeavor,” said Hirschfeld.
Maglev uses magnetic force, rather than wheels, to support and propel train-like vehicles on dedicated concrete and steel guideways.