Optimising the Economic Feasibility of High-Speed Maglev Systems: A Simulation-Based Approach for Variable and Parameter Analysis

Authors

  • Yong CUI Hefei University, School of Urban Construction and Transportation; Hefei University, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Urban Rail Transit Safety and Emergency Management; Chinese-German Research and Development Centre for Railway and Transportation Technology Stuttgart (CDFEB e.V.)
  • Qing YU Technical University of Darmstadt
  • Ullrich MARTIN University of Stuttgart, Institute of Railway and Transportation Engineering

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7307/ptt.v36i5.571

Keywords:

standardised evaluation, high-speed maglev, modal variable, evaluation parameter, optimisation, economic feasibility, critical value

Abstract

This study introduces an advanced software platform and process for the quantitative national economic evaluation of high-speed maglev systems, overcoming limitations of traditional methods through parameter variation experiments and automated solution search. Utilising the adapted German standardised evaluation, this research demonstrates how integrated modelling, evaluation and optimisation software can deeply analyse the impact of various variables and parameters on economic outcomes. By employing an optimisation algorithm, the software not only determines critical evaluation parameters to ensure benefits exceed costs but also deduces optimised model variables. The macroeconomic benefit-cost ratio guides the optimal design concept, with the research finding a critical value for ensuring economic feasibility. The proposed solution achieves a 22% improvement in this ratio (1.106 vs. 0.909) compared to the existing Hefei-Wuhu route, highlighting its potential for large-scale maglev implementation. Future development directions include integration with micro-simulation systems, support for random behaviour, sensitivity analysis, data-driven machine learning and enhanced user interface design for broader applicability. The findings underscore the software’s capability to provide robust, data-driven insights for economic feasibility studies of high-speed maglev systems, presenting a significant step forward in infrastructure project evaluation.

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Published

31-10-2024

How to Cite

CUI, Y., YU, Q., & MARTIN, U. (2024). Optimising the Economic Feasibility of High-Speed Maglev Systems: A Simulation-Based Approach for Variable and Parameter Analysis. Promet - Traffic&Transportation, 36(5), 779–796. https://doi.org/10.7307/ptt.v36i5.571

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Articles