Some improvements for the Japanese Aerotrain.

So the Japanese are reviving the aerotrain concept of years past with the use of ground effect. Here's the video:

It's a pretty cool idea and looks like it would be much cheaper than a comparative mag lev train system, but I think it can be improved. And as a complete idiot non-engineer, I am sure that my improvements would be amazing!

Firstly, I'm looking at the power source. It appears as though they are planning to use an onboard power generation system. This is a negative simply because it increases the costs and weight involved in the individual aircraft. I would change to an integrated power transmission system in the track. Using a system designed for highways, it would work even better for a ground effect craft as it would operate at the most efficient speed for power transmission. The transmitter side can also be spread out a little further to generate a larger power effect over the area of the wings which would contain the power "receiver". The integration of the power supply into the track allows for a greater variety of power production methods. Anything from track mounted PVs to a remote nuclear power station which would lower the carbon and pollution footprint of this high speed rail.

Now with the electric power being sent on board, you might think that i will use electric motors to provide propulsion. And you would be wrong!

Yes, my great and mighty brain has decided that the propulsion side needs a different tech: Rim Drive Propellers! Currently in use on marine vessels, there has been research into using them on aircraft because of their increased efficiency and lowered disk loading effect for it's size. Current models are powered by electric motors, which makes sense since the weight is not as much of an issue for an already heavy marine craft. But this is an aircraft, why go with something so heavy?

I won't.

My plan is to integrate much lighter air bearings into the ducting and then provide power to the propeller disk by compressed air motors. This system is much lighter than using an electromagnetic rim drive which lowers the gyroscopic forces on the propulsion assembly. In addition, the compressed air becomes a self cooling system which can also be used for environmental controls inside the cabin. The compressor would be mounted in the center of the craft to increase stability while using a Rotary-screw compressor for reduced noise and minimizing the storage system requirements.

And now I get really out of my depth by altering the shape of the wing assembly. Instead of the horizontal and vertical airfoils, I would use something similar to the Beechcraft V-tail, but for the main wing, Although this tail was first sold as a way to reduce the wetted surface, it ended up being equal. Which for my design means that I have a larger area to collect the electricity produced by the "railway", this will ensure the system is as efficient as possible in power transfer. This wing shape also creates an easier track construction and provides a smoother flight, as shown by some of these videos by one of the designers.

Finally, I would create the train stations to use a compressed air surface for slow speed maneuvering of the craft while they come to a complete stop. By using a single wheel in the stern and a compressed air system similar to an air hockey table for the wings, you can ensure that the craft can be stopped at a specific loading point. Then no harm would come to the craft while it sits at the station for loading and unloading. In addition the power requirements would be less than is used by mag-lev trains that require power to "hover".  This would also allow for a shorter take off distance as the craft will already be "airborne" when the thrusters are switched on.

This ground effect would be an excellent idea for high speed "rail" in the US. Cheap construction to cover the larger distances involved while still being cleaner and faster than our current systems.