Variable Pressure High-Speed Test Track

The overall objective of this effort is to decisively demonstrate the feasibility of creating a high-performance, yet cost effective, Variable Pressure High-Speed Test Track. This approach makes innovative use of cryogenic specialties fluids,high-performance steam venturi systems and other select vacuum and variable pressure technologies to optimize the variable pressure design. The introduction of an extremely innovative technique for creating vacuum pressure membranes that actuate inmilliseconds is applied to the area of fast-acting valve technologies. Intrinsic to the design methodology is the introduction of construction techniques that employ large economies of scale to reduce what would typically be the larger portions of theconstruction activities and costs. Finally, unique and innovative propulsion technologies are employed to produce a sled that can attain high velocities extremely efficiently, thereby reducing track length. This program will assess all technical andprogrammatic requirements for the proposed facility, establish the technical feasibility of the facility concept by design and analysis, and develop a facility development plan that includes cost and schedule estimates. The technology and facility designrealized during the effort is expected to provide solutions to solving the technical issues with long haul, high-speed rail transportation. The current primary financier of advanced rail concepts, the Federal Railroad Administration, is interested ininnovation that seeks to demonstrate technology that will facilitate the incremental development of high-speed rail (HSR), passenger service that has air or road competitive door-to-door trip times between major city pairs and reliable, high quality,cost-effective service. Technologies and design that are the direct product of this effort will allow investigation into HSR design optimization.