an integrated maglev system consists of permanent or preferably superconducting vehicle - mounted magnets which interact with both active and induced track - based currents . the magnets on the vehicle which are used for propulsion serve the dual purpose of realizing both levitation and lateral stabilization . the contribution offered by this invention is that it is able to provide propulsion , levitation , and guidance using a single type of track - based coil interacting with a singular type of magnetic field which is affixed to the vehicle . the realization of multiple functions with a single coil reduces the cost and enhances the efficiency of this maglev system . in the main embodiment of this invention , propulsion currents are injected into brushes sliding along brush contact surfaces on the rail , series winding further eliminates the intermediate brushes leaving only the leading set of brushes and the trailing set . motion induced currents in the coils realize both the necessary levitation and guidance forces for the vehicle . the propulsion system is a linear dc motor and requires no power handling along the track . necessary operating power can either be carried on the vehicle or collected by a third rail pickup system . all coils in the track are supported by a reinforced recycled plastic matrix or similar material .