08 LC 34
1375
Senate
Resolution 842
By:
Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Thomas of the 54th, Williams of the 19th, Stoner of
the 6th, Seay of the 34th and others
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
the Georgia Department of Transportation to build a maglev train connecting
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta with the Chattanooga Municipal Airport
(The Plane Train); and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is close to reaching its maximum operating capacity;
and
WHEREAS,
it is unlikely that any political subdivision in the state would allow a new
international airport to be built in its jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS,
many residents in North Georgia and visitors to our state complain that the
Atlanta airport is too far away and does not serve their needs; and
WHEREAS,
any trip to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport from North Georgia necessarily involves
delays due to the congestion encountered while traveling through the
metropolitan Atlanta area; and
WHEREAS,
a magnetic levitating train, or maglev, is a form of transportation that
suspends, guides, and propels vehicles (especially trains) using electromagnetic
force. This method can be faster than wheeled mass transit systems, potentially
reaching velocities comparable to turboprop and jet aircraft (900 km/h, 600
mph). The highest recorded speed of a maglev train is 581 km/h (361 mph),
achieved in Japan in 2003; and
WHEREAS,
one advantage of maglev's higher speed would be extension of the serviceable
area (3 hours radius) that can outcompete subsonic commercial
aircraft.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that this body
urges the Department of Transportation to develop a strategic plan to determine
the feasibility of constructing a maglev system connecting Hartsfield-Jackson
Airport in Atlanta with the Chattanooga Municipal Airport (The Plane
Train).
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges the Department of Transportation to
report to the General Assembly by December 31, 2008, on its progress in
developing this plan.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the
Georgia Department of Transportation and to each member of the State
Transportation Board.