Proposal for a Sustainable Suspended Monorail System: A Theoretical Framework for High-Speed Rail Transport

Abstract This paper proposes a novel theoretical framework for a sustainable suspended monorail system integrating magnetic levitation (Maglev) technology, designed to address urban and intercity transportation challenges. The framework employs a multi-objective optimization model that balances energy efficiency, structural stability, and cost, achieving zero direct emissions, an energy efficiency of 0.1–0.2 kWh per passenger-km, and speeds up to 300 km/h. Unlike conventional high-speed rail (HSR) and monorail systems, it incorporates stakeholder-weighted objectives, overcoming limitations of single-objective approaches. The study is validated through rigorous Monte Carlo simulations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA), demonstrating a lifecycle emissions reduction of 20–37% compared to traditional transport and construction costs of $20–50 million per km. Drawing on insights from systems like Germany’s Wuppertal Schwebebahn and China’s Shanghai Maglev, the research advances sustainable transportation through detailed mathematical modeling, simulations, and sensitivity analyses, offering a scalable solution for urban mobility.