Abstract: A method of and apparatus for reducing drag produced by relative air movement on a moving body are disclosed. The method includes the steps of modifying a rear air pressure behind a rear of the body such that the rear air pressure is increased, wherein the air pressure modifying step includes inletting an amount of air from a boundary flow around the body and forming a pressure shell behind the rear of the body, wherein the pressure shell forming step includes forming a large vortex behind the rear of the body by outletting the inlet air at the rear of the body in a plurality of small high-energy vortices.

Abstract: A series of adjacent flaps is hinge-mounted to the end of a high-speed train car. The actuatable flaps normally assume a fairing mode to close the gap between adjacent train cars and reduce aerodynamic drag. The flaps may be rotated to an inclined position so as to create drag braking when this becomes necessary.