The Changsha magnetic levitation (maglev) line has recently kicked off its trial operation, marking the initial launch of China's first domestically developed low-speed maglev rail, the official website of Changsha government reported.
The line, with a total length of 18.5 kilometers, connects the Changsha South Railway Station to the local airport. It is considered as the longest of its kind in the world.
The Changsha maglev line began its construction in May 2014, while its trial run began in Dec. 26 of last year. Over 90 percent of the rail's track is built on bridges, the article said.
The official website also revealed that the line will allow maglev trains to operate at a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour.
The trains, which measure 48 meters long each, have three carriages that can carry as many as 363 passengers.
With the commencement of trial operation, China became the fourth nation in the world to invest in the medium and low-speed maglev rail technology. Nations that previously utilized the technology include Germany, Japan and South Korea.
Sources inside the industry see this project not only as a breakthrough in the country's maglev technology advancement, but also as a crucial stepping stone in building a transportation hub in Central China.
The two areas that the maglev line links are regarded as key traffic hubs.
The Changsha Huanghua International Airport is an established air hub that has direct flights to more than 90 cities in China and abroad. Meanwhile, the Changsha South Railway Station is considered as the "Golden Cross" of the Shanghai-Kunming and Beijing-Guangzhou railway lines.
Through the Changsha maglev line, a passenger can now commute to and fro the said areas in less than 20 minutes.
Maglev is a revolutionary transport method that employs magnetic levitation technology to move vehicles. Upon using this method, a vehicle can travel along a railway "using magnets to create both lift and propulsion, thereby reducing friction and allowing higher speeds," the website explained.