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Programs Manager, Maglev 2000
Mr. Charles Smith is the Programs Manager of the MAGLEV 2000 of
Florida Corporation. He directs the overall program for the planning
of an initial twenty-mile demonstration revenue line, which will
eventually connect Port Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center to
Orlando International Airport.
He joined MAGLEV 2000 after fourteen years as Director of Florida's
high-speed transportation projects, including several maglev development
initiatives. This project has now been incorporated in a plan for
a twenty-mile revenue line to serve Port Canaveral and the Kennedy
Space Center.
In 1985 he was appointed Executive Director of the Florida High
Speed Rail Commission charged with developing a high-speed surface
system for that state. In his position he conducted technical and
business analyses of advanced train and maglev technologies throughout
Europe and Japan for suitable applications to Florida and United
States operations. He directed the related engineering, systems
safety analysis, route studies, environmental assessments and project
financing for implementing these advanced transportation systems
in Florida. He has advised or consulted with several other states
and organizations on their plans to develop high-speed rail and
maglev systems.
As the State Railroad Administrator in Maryland from 1974 - 1985,
Mr. Smith set up and managed the MARC commuter rail operations serving
the Baltimore-Washington region. There he directed the acquisition
of new rolling stock and power from Japanese and Swedish companies;
the rehabilitation of rolling stock; property acquisitions; and
construction of track and station facilities for the commuter rail
operations on several corridors in Maryland. He was a systems planner
on the Baltimore Metro, including technology evaluation and selection,
market analysis and route planning.
Charles Smith is a graduate of the University of Maryland and holds
a Master's Degree in Regional Planning from the University of Pittsburgh.
He has chaired technical committees for the Transportation Research
Board; the American Association of Transportation Officials; and
the High Speed Ground Transportation Association. He recently served
on the Maglev Study Advisory Committee appointed by the U.S. Secretary
of Transportation to formulate recommendations for legislation to
develop and deploy maglev transportation systems in the U.S. The
Committee's recommendations were considered by Congress in formulating
the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.
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