We can expect occasional loss of power, failure of vehicle suspension system components, problems created by human actions, and the impact of sudden and severe weather. Achieving high reliability is an important part of achieving safe operation. Following are some of the features that increase safety and reliability.
• The safety-critical part of the propulsion control system is on the wayside and does not depend on communication with the vehicle. Facilities will be provided for communicating with passengers, but the guideway-based motor controllers know precisely where every vehicle is at all times.
• There are no wheels, rotary motor bearings or gears that require frequent and expensive maintenance.
• We have two LSMs, port and starboard, and if one fails the other can provide adequate propulsion to move a vehicle to the nearest station.
• The suspension controllers on the vehicle are redundant with more than one controller for each pod.