Electromagnetic Field Characteristics of the Transrapid TR08 Maglev System

As part of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Magnetic Levitation Transportation Technology Deployment Program, this technical report has been prepared to characterize the temporal, spatial, and frequency-dependent variability of electromagnetic fields (EMF) associated with the operation of the Transrapid International (TRI) TR08 Maglev System. The TRI TR08 Maglev System is an advanced transportation technology in which magnetic forces levitate, propel, and guide a vehicle over a specially-designed guideway. The TR08 Maglev System is the technology that is being considered for deployment in the U.S., and potential EMF impacts were not known. This document presents EMF data collected during measurements of the TRI TR08 Maglev System in August 2001 at the TRI Test Facility in the Emsland region of Germany. MultiWave® digital data recorders were used to characterize static and extremely low frequency (ELF; 3-3,000 Hz) magnetic fields; these data were augmented with measurements of very low frequency (3-30 kHz) and low frequency (30-300 kHz) magnetic fields, ELF electric fields, and radiofrequency electric fields. EMF personal exposure data were collected using EMDEX and Nardalert probes. Measured EMF levels and characteristics are similar to those of existing electric transportation and comply with all current applicable human exposure safety standards.