What is High Speed Ground Transportation?

High Speed Ground Transportation (HSGT) is an option for the Atlanta to Chattanooga corridor for several reasons. Mostly, because it can provide quick, reliable, environmentally conscious, and comfortable city- to city- travel at speeds of 180 mph or greater – getting you where you want to go faster. The Atlanta to Chattanooga corridor has been a focus area in recent years for development of a new rail system to improve transportation between the two cities.

Several years ago, the corridor was studied as part of the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) Intercity Rail Plan. During this study, the corridor was considered as an option for commuter rail service. The corridor was then studied by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) for high-speed rail service as part of a federal initiative to demonstrate magnetic levitation (Maglev) technology in the United States.

The Atlanta-Chattanooga High Speed Ground Transportation (HSGT) project is considering the following two HSGT technologies, which are the only two available that meet the project’s minimum speed requirement:

Magnetic Levitation (Maglev)

 

• Electromagnetic forces lift and propel train along a guideway using magnets
• Vehicles hover a small distance above the guideway, eliminating friction and rolling resistance
• Physically separated right-of-way, which eliminates potential points of conflict
• Requires exclusive guideway, not compatible with steel-wheeled trains
• Operating speeds capable of 310 mph
• Commercially operating in Shanghai, China
• Appropriate for intercity use

Steel-Wheeled

 

• Steel-wheel vehicles on steel rail
• Electric-powered and receive energy from overhead wires
• Physically separated right-of-way, which eliminates potential points of conflict
• Capable of operating on same tracks with other trains
• Operating speeds capable of 220 mph
• Operates throughout Europe and Asia
• Appropriate for intercity use