Abstract: A two-dimensional electromagnetic finite element model and a three-dimensional deformation simulation model of F-shaped rail and inverted U-shaped rail are established to improve the lateral stability, which is an important factor limiting the speed increase of medium-low speed maglev vehicles. The magnetic field distribution, electromagnetic force and deformation characteristics of the two typical rails are compared and studied by using these models. A new guiding performance evaluation index is proposed, which is named guidance stiffness coefficient. The correlation between the guidance stiffness coefficient and the magnetic pole width is revealed, and the gain effect of reducing the magnetic pole width on the guiding performance is clarified. The influence of rail structure format and parameters on the lateral stability is summarized from three aspects of magnetic force characteristics, deformation and guiding performance, which provides reference for rail structure design suitable for higher speed.