Preliminaries to a Feasibility Analysis of the Maglev Proposal of The ...

aviation network is decentralization of airport operations away from LAX. In 2003, LAX handled 70% of
the air passenger traffic, while Ontario and John Wayne were in second place with approximately 10%
each. Under the decentralization scheme, LAX is projected to handle 45% of the air passenger traffic
even as total passengers are expected to double by 2030, with Ontario’s share increasing to 18% (SCAG,
2004).
Originally studied as a way of accessing various airports in the region, planners soon recognized the
potential for the Maglev system to serve large volumes of commuter traffic. The planned Maglev system
now has the additional objective of helping to provide some relief for travel between major origins and
destinations in the midst of roadway traffic congestion in the Los Angeles metropolitan region.
Study Purpose
This report is a product of a seed grant research of background to the feasibility of a “Decentralized High
Speed‐Connected Airport System” in Southern California. Its objectives are to identify sources and
factors of cost to enable the design of a more detailed study on the topic. The subsequent study is
envisioned to look at the feasibility as well as relative costs of alternative methods of connecting the
airports. Conceptual alternatives may include: TGV‐based high speed rail; the proposed Maglev‐based
high speed rail and urban rapid transit.
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