The so-called maglev trains are seen as a possible way to ease traffic congestion and cut down on air pollution near the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Researchers at California State University, Long Beach, are studying three proposals for using maglev trains to move cargo.
The Southern California Association of Governments and officials at the two ports are planning to launch their own studies in coming months.
If we are going to get serious about cleaning up the port, we need to bring electric power into the transportation system. We need to be emission-free if we are going to grow,'' said S. David Freeman, president of the Los Angeles Harbor Commission. Maglev is one of several options we are looking at. It has a lot going for it.''
Maglevs are propelled along magnetic fields generated by guide rails on the ground. They can reach speeds of up to 300 mph.
Two maglev train systems transporting passengers are operating in China and Japan.
No one has yet to adapt the maglevs to carry freight, however.
General Atomics in San Diego is developing a system for cargo containers.
Among the maglev projects being studied is a 4.7-mile system between the Port of Los Angeles and the proposed Southern California International Gateway, a rail terminal to the north.
Building the project would cost roughly $575 million and $9.2 million a year to operate.
A 100-mile maglev network linking inland cargo distribution centers to the ports is projected to cost around $8.5 billion.
Another maglev proposal under review involves a 20-mile line running by the Long Beach Freeway.