Ground-effect train

The advantages of a ground-effect train over a maglev are lower cost due to simpler construction. Disadvantages include either constant input of energy to keep the train hovering (in the case of hovercraft-like vehicles) or the necessity to keep the vehicle moving for it to remain off the ground (in the case of wing–in–ground-effect vehicles). Furthermore, these vehicles may be very drastically affected by wind, air turbulence, and weather. Whereas the magnetic levitation train can be built to operate in a vacuum to minimise air resistance, the ground-effect train must operate in an atmosphere in order for the air cushion to exist.

Development work has been undertaken in several countries since the middle 20th century. No ground-effect train has entered regular commercial service.

Yusuke Sugahara and his team of researchers at Tohoku University, in Sendai, Japan have developed the Aero-Train that uses wings attached to a fuselage to fly inches off the ground. Dubbed a ground-effect vehicle the train is designed to be completely powered by wind and solar energy{{dash}}making this a true zero-carbon transportation system.{{Cite web|url=http://theinstitute.ieee.org/technology-topics/smart-technology/japanese-researchers-levitate-train-on-cushion-of-air|title=Full Page Reload|access-date=2023-09-14|archive-date=2018-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205003452/http://theinstitute.ieee.org/technology-topics/smart-technology/japanese-researchers-levitate-train-on-cushion-of-air|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://inhabitat.com/japan-unveils-levitating-high-speed-electric-aero-train/|title=Japan Unveils Levitating High-Speed Electric Aero Train|access-date=2023-09-14|archive-date=2023-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818124355/https://inhabitat.com/japan-unveils-levitating-high-speed-electric-aero-train/|url-status=live}}

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• Aérotrain
• Gravity train
• Ground-effect vehicle
• High-speed rail
• Hovercraft
• Hovertrain
• Hyperloop
• Maglev train
• Transrapid 03
• Tracked Hovercraft

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{{reflist}}

• Bastien, Stéphane, and Laframboise, M. Jacques (translation/adaptation) [http://aernav.free.fr/English_Index.html Aérotrain - The Aerotrain Story]. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
• Joseph George [https://web.archive.org/web/20070524071259/http://www.physics-edu.org/tech/wing_levitated_ground_effect_train.htm Ground Effect Vehicle], Physics-edu (private) website. . Retrieved 7 January 2011.
• Kikuchi Satoshi (Inst. Of Fluid Sci., Tohoku Univ.), Watanabe Hideo (Inst. Of Fluid Sci., Tohoku Univ.), Ota Fukuo (Inst. Of Fluid Sci., Tohoku Univ.), Kawahara Susumu (Inst. Of Fluid Sci., Tohoku Univ.), Kohama Yasuaki (Inst. Of Fluid Sci., Tohoku Univ.). [https://web.archive.org/web/20071123152937/http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200021/000020002100A0860111.php Dynamic Stability Control of Ground Effect Train], Nihon Kikai Gakkai Nenji Taikai Koen Ronbunshu, Japan, 2000, Vol.4, pp. 297–298, Journal Code:X0587B. (Japanese)
• Shonner website [https://web.archive.org/web/20070428123902/http://www.shonner.com/aerotrain/ Rohr Industries Aérotrain - The Rohr Aerotrain Tracked Air-Cushion Vehicle (TACV)], Shonner.com website. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
• Sleath, M. [http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s108912.htm News In Science: Flying Trains], ABC Science website. Retrieved 7 January 2011.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070501083246/http://www.ifs.tohoku.ac.jp/kohama-lab/aerotrain_outline-e.html Aero-Train]{{dash}}A Japanese prototype {{Dead link|date=January 2011}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070428123902/http://www.shonner.com/aerotrain/ Rohr Industries Aérotrain]
• [http://www.ifs.tohoku.ac.jp/ifs_stream/quick/04.mov Aero-Train Video] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716150118/http://www.ifs.tohoku.ac.jp/ifs_stream/quick/04.mov |date=2011-07-16 }}
• [http://www.rgetter.com/pages/ns_articles/flying_train.htm This Train Will Have Passengers Riding On Air] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060102180149/http://www.rgetter.com/pages/ns_articles/flying_train.htm |date=2006-01-02 }}

{{Emerging technologies|transport=yes}}

Category:Experimental and prototype high-speed trains

Category:Ground-effect vehicles